ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

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PARTS MANAGER

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CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT:

2017-20MY Impreza
2018-21MY Crosstrek

NUMBER: 09-73-20R

Radiator Coolant Seepage

REVISED: 05/14/24

DATE: 10/27/20

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides a revised service procedure to follow when repairing minor coolant seepage
identified to be coming from the air plug at the top of the radiator. If the air plug is not sufficiently
tightened, the O-ring on the plug may not seat properly and compress, resulting in coolant seepage in
cold weather. The repair involves replacing the air plug 90-180 degrees or more.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
IMPORTANT: Do not perform this repair unless coolant is seepage from the air plug is confirmed.
1.

Raise the vehicle and remove the engine undercover.

2.

Remove the 2 lower bolts of the radiator upper frame (a). Disconnect the hood latch sensor
connector and remove harness clip (b) from the frame as shown.

(a)

CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

(b)

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 09-73-20R; Revised: 05/14/24

Page 1 of 4

3.

Remove the air intake duct leading to the air filter housing.

4.

Remove the upper cover.

5.

Remove all the retaining clips for the related splash shields, upper & lower bumper clips, and the
6 top retaining bracket bolts. CAREFULLY disengage the claws securing the bumper cover to
the mounting brackets under the headlights to release and remove the bumper cover (fascia)
assembly. NOTE: To reduce the chances of damage, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to use
a helper for this step and again during reinstallation. CAUTION: While the bumper cover
assembly is removed, do not lean on or put any weight against the gray Styrofoam bumper
cushion as its retaining tabs are very fragile.

6.

Release the hood latch cable (d) from the upper radiator frame then remove the latch assembly
(3 bolts and a retaining clip at the bottom) from the radiator upper frame and set on the engine as
shown (e).

(d)

(e)

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 09-73-20R; Revised: 05/14/24

Page 2 of 4

7.

Remove the upper bumper cover retaining bracket and radiator upper frame to access the a/c
condenser and radiator assembly.

8.

Using a flat-blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY twist ONLY AS MUCH AS NEEDED to release
and separate the A/C condenser forward and upward from the radiator. Raise the condenser
enough to keep the retaining clip from re-locking then release the opposite side. Once both sides
are released, raise the condenser straight up enough to free it from the radiator then rest it on
bumper beam.

9.

Lift the radiator STRAIGHT UP only enough to free it from the lower grommets then raise the
right (passenger side) of the radiator up APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH which is enough to access
the air plug. Tighten the air plug 90-180 or more degrees using a screwdriver or offset
ratchet driver.
IMPORTANT: Fold up a clean shop cloth and insert it between the oil filter / housing and the
back of the reservoir tank (g) to act as a protective cushion as shown below.
(g)

Continued...
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 09-73-20R; Revised: 05/14/24

Page 3 of 4

10. Re assemble the vehicle in reverse order of disassembly following the procedures in the
applicable Service Manual.
TIP: When reinstalling the lower (horizontal) splash guards located ahead of the front tires, make
sure the front edge (flap) (b), except for the clip attachment point, is inside (above) the bumper
face (a).

Bottom View
Looking Upward

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim
information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

TIGHTEN RADIATOR AIR PLUG

B228-186

0.8

Fail Code
CEU-35

COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTING & DIAGNOSIS

C228-001

0.3

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 09-73-20R; Revised: 05/14/24

Page 4 of 4