Things You'll Need:
- Phillips or flathead screwdriver
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Step 1
Find the upper and lower radiator hoses, which go from the radiator to the engine and from the radiator to your exhaust manifold. The coolant hose runs from your radiator to your intake manifold. The heater hoses run from the radiator to the back of the engine block, as do the hoses attached to the intake manifold.
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Step 2
Inspect each hose for cracks, frisions or tiny tears. If you find any, replace the damaged hose immediately. Wipe away grease before checking your hoses and clamps so you can easily inspect the parts.
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Step 3
Run your hands down the hoses to make sure the hoses feel firm, not soft or pliable. If the hoses are soft to the touch, replace them to prevent failure.
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Step 4
Squeeze each hose at both ends and pay attention to how it feels. If you can feel ridges when you pinching the ends of the hose, that's an indication that the hose is failing from the inside and needs to be replaced.
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Step 5
Check the ends of each hose to ensure it's fully connected and not slowly slipping free.
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Step 6
Use a screwdriver to snug up the clamps at the end of each hose. Depending on the year of your Subaru Outback, you'll need a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to do this. Make sure the clamp is snug but not too tight. If you tighten the clamps too much, you can create a tear or rip in the surface of the hose.
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Step 7
Start the Outback and move it to a clean, dry location. Let it run for about 5 minutes, then inspect the surface below. If you see liquid, you have a leak.
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Step 8
Look over the hoses and clamps again to see if you can spot where the leak is coming from. Use your hands to feel for the source of the moisture. Replace the faulty hose and clamp.
