Tutorial: Change coolant/anti-freeze in a 2006 Subaru WRX STi

How to change radiator fluid (coolant/anti-freeze) on a 2006 Subaru WRX STi. This install will work for just about any other Subaru as well.

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• nukem384

[SuperRex7]

my 06 sti has 48000mile now, is time to change the coolant?

[nukem384]

@SuperRex7 you should be changing coolant every 30k, so yes

[Jxb0i]

hey nukem, i just replaced my radiator on my 02 wrx a few minutes ago, and i was wondering if i had to use that specific subaru coolant conditioner with distilled water. Could i just go with normal 50/50 prestone antifreeze/coolant? and if thats a yes to the coolant conditioner + distilled water, where could a guy pick it up?

thanks

[nukem384]

@Jxb0i subaru genuine fluid and the conditioner is always the best. the dealership is the only place you can get that stuff. distilled water, any grocery store. if its too much a hassle, you coulddd use 50/50, but its not as good and might deteriorate life on the radiator.

[munky40903805]

thanx for the vid, but would you know why my coolant colour is brown? from what i can tell there has been no mix between oil and water, btw i have a 1993 Subaru RS Legacy twin turbo( my first Subaru)

[nukem384]

@munky40903805 brown coolant usually means it is WAY overdue for a change. change it ASAP.

[justinsvidz]

continued from previous comment.

That's an interesting way to bleed the cooling system, I haven't seen it before.

I typically do it the old school way.

I remove the upper rad hose, and fill the block with coolant, then reconnect it to the rad.

Then I top off the rad, start the car and turn on the heat. While leaving the rad cap off, so as to let the air escape from the cooling system. Then I massage the upper hose, top off the rad. When you have heat at the vents, your good. Road test time !

[justinsvidz]

+1 on the genuine Subaru coolant, and the Conditioner. Some Subaru head gaskets (Read: series 2 EJ25's particularly in Outbacks, and 2.5 GT's) are very sensitive to silicates, borates, and 2-EHA (Found in universal all makes all models and dexcool coolants). Which in many cases can lead to a head gasket failure. I'm not saying it happens to all of them but it happens to many of them ( just google it)

continued in next comment.

[MasterIronfist]

@MasterIronfist Also, have you ever done a coolant flush? Do you think it is necessary?

[MasterIronfist]

Does this method drain ALL the coolant from the entire system? I am concerned about some old dirty coolant remaining in the system and being diluted by the new coolant...

[fuser421]

This video is fucking awesome thanks for posting all your vids seriously saving me some dough and really helping me out. Keep the vids coming

[shades2]

@Jxb0i The Subaru coolant is manufactured by Castrol I think. It is designed specifically for aluminium blocks/heads and has some funky additives. This is particularly important with a flat H4 or H6 engine because there are two heads involved. Apparently the Subary coolant reacts with the aluminium inside the water channels of the block and leaves a protective coating in place which prevents corrosion. Other coolants while good, may not provide this protection. In this instance, use Subaru.

[ChargersRock13]

@RyanReding100 Lol. A Honda, lolll.