Originally posted by MisterX over on WRXFanatics.com (http://www.wrxfanatics.com) in this thread (http://www.wrxfanatics.com/index.php?act=ST&f=50&t=5394&st=0)


I learned about this problem on a post on NASIOC where I've seen pics of coolant systems clogged pretty badly with paint chips. This mod is a bit obscure but that doesn't mean it's not important. The facts of the matter are, Subaru painted the lid of coolant reservoir for the turbo on earlier models. On later models, the lid remains unpainted. The problem is, the paint on the underside of the lid of the coolant reservoir blisters, peels, and clogs your coolant system. Later models are unpainted. I guess Subaru decided there was a problem.

If your turbo coolant reservoir is painted black, you're going to have a problem. Here is a pic of me removing the coolant hoses from the top of the turbo coolant reservoir. Notice, it's painted black. As I said before, later models are unpainted.

After you remove the hoses, you need a 10mm socket to remove the six bolts

After you remove the top of the reservoir, it looks like this. Notice the rubber gasket. The focus is not so good, sorry

Here is the inside of the top of the coolant reservoir. Notice the paint is badly blistered. I could pop it off with my fingernail. It was only a matter of time before the paint peeled off completely and clogged the coolant system.

I had some paint remover lying about in the garage. Using a small paintbrush. I applied paint remover, let is set for a few, and rubbed off all of the paint on the underside of the lid. After the paint was gone, I rinsed the lid in cold water and used toothpicks to get into the crevices where the tubes penetrate the lid and "goo" remained.

The re spots on the paper towel adre blood. I busted a knucke.

In reverse order, reinstall the lid and reinstall the hoses.

I don't have the torque spec for the bolts, but they were on fairly tight. Just make sure you tighten the bolts opposite each other, like when you tighten lug nuts. Just don't snap any of them off.

From Piah167 over on WRXFanatics.com (http://www.wrxfanatics.com):

I used paint thinner, and a tooth brush. Took 20 mins from start to finish.