Cascade Crew

QwkTrip

It's pretty cold here and the Subaru wouldn't start this morning at -18F. Battery is too old and weak. I jump started it and as soon as the engine ran there was a terrible grinding noise from the engine. Sounded like an accessory bearing all gnarled up. Moved the car and found red fluid on the ground where it was parked. Turned off the car and saw more red fluid dripping on the ground and steaming as it hit the cold snow. Then what looked like water started spilling on the ground. I said screw it and left the car there.

So I get home from work and saw something unusual. The clear fluid had flowed down the slope of the driveway and froze in a cord shape. It didn't make a flat puddle. It was standing high off the ground and formed a cylinder going down the driveway.

What's your guess? I'm not looking at it myself. Too damn cold with -40F wind chill. Already spent a couple hours outside today trying to get the car moved and shovel the driveway.

Alphius · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:24 pm Post subject:

As the Crew's noted Subaru apologist, I have to say I have no idea. Red fluid obviously sounds like ATF, but I'm having some trouble parsing your description of the the way the clear fluid froze.

Regardless, if there's two kinds of fluid coming out then something (or 2 somethings) are seriously broken.

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject:

Alright, I have a theory. This might be one of those things where you can't figure it out until you ask the question. Laughing

I suspect red fluid is power steering fluid. Location of horrible noise coincides with location of power steering pump.

As for all the clear fluid..... I had to bust through a snow wall at the end of the driveway and the car left a flat spot on the ridge from dragging bottom the whole way. Suspect the clear fluid is snow that packed up in the engine bay and melted from exhaust heat after car shut down. Odd shape of frozen water is probably phenomenon of what happens when water freezes fast in really cold weather on really cold cement.

Alphius · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:47 pm Post subject:

Yes, clear and frozen generally would mean water in the context of vehicle fluids; that theory seems sound.

I also concur on the PS fluid given your description of the sound and location.

aaron_sK

QwkTrip · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:11 pm Post subject:

Started it up today and now it runs fine. Not going to question why. Just going to sell it real quick!

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:11 pm Post subject:

Your Subaru is obviously confused and thinks it is a Jeep.

I would take advantage of this.