My Volvo's been leaking about a cup of coolant on my 70-mile roundtrip to work every day. I finally jacked it up, got underneath it and pulled off the shield. Near as I can tell, it seems to be the radiator. I've got a picture of the radiator from the passenger side and it's clear there's been coolant there. I don't see any hose leakage. Will appreciate any advice...

For some reason the radiators always start leaking there. All you can do is replace the radiator. A good time to replace the top and bottom hoses, with new clamps.

Use G-05 coolant or Volvo brand, mixed with distilled water.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Thanks, sounds like good advice. You think that's a less-than-$500 repair, all things told?

That all depends on the labor rate in Texas. A new radiator from FCP is around $200, add a couple of hoses and clamps, and a gallon of antifreeze.

If you DIY, put the front of the car on ramps or jack stands, and the radiator comes out the bottom. If this is a turbo, the oil cooler lines are also in the radiator and the intercooler drops out with the radiator.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

When I had my first 2 or 3 Volvos I did most of my mechanic'ing. Points, plugs, oil changes. But when I had that '58 Duett, you could almost stand inside the engine compartment to work on the engine. There was nothing but room, and it was QUITE uncomplicated. Not so these days. I don't have the DIY confidence with this job. I'll be mechanic-bound on Monday.
Thanks for the advice!

Where are you in TX? I am in Temple and do know of a few places which I feel are good.

dick

Technically, Boerne. About 25 miles north of San Antonio. I think I've got a good mechanic here. A guy with a place that used to be called Dan's Eurocar when I had my last Volvo.

Got an over-the-phone guestimate in San Antonio of $703. That's more than I wanted to spend, but we'll see what my local guy says.

Not a bad job. I am 73 and still do those things, enjoy the grease and save a lot, at least half.

dick

Interesting to ponder...but I have an uncanny ability to pull defeat right out of the jaws of victory. I'd hate to screw that up. I REALLY like the brand new 17 year-old car. Hope I can squeeze another 50K or more out of it.

The radiators eventually go in just about all 850's. You should able to get it done for under $500 by an independant.

If you take care of it these cars they can go 300k or even 400+k miles...:)


JW

I suspect you're right, although I read another post from a user who said they went aftermarket radiator, with an independent mechanic...and his radiator was leaking again after a couple of months. I'd also like to get re-established with my local Volvo mechanic, who I took a previous Volvo to a decade ago.

I replaced my radiator on my 95 850 15 months with a Behr and no problems so far. Nissens is used by many on the BB, but I've heard of issues with those. Maybe that's the brand you read about? Valeo was OEM but they are usually at least $100 more than Behr or Nissens. You might want to find out which brand your mechanic intends to use.

FWIW - Behr is used in many German cars.

I'll ask him when I take it in this afternoon. He guestimated $525, which is nearly $200 less than what the other estimate was. Given that he's worked well on my Volvos in the past and he's less than 3 miles from the house, I'm headed back to Dan.

All fixed! $510, Nissen radiator. Gotta say, it feels great to be behind the wheel again.