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Need to replace 2000 v40 radiator... do-able at home, DIY? S40-V40

posted by  someone claiming to be Volvo-T on  Mon Feb 11 11:53 CST 2013 [RELATED]


Hello,

This weekend my 2000-v40 sprung a leak in the radiator and it looks like I need to replace. I need to get my baby back on the road quick, and the local shop just told me they're a week out on appointment slots!

So... I'm wondering if I can source my own replacement rad, how feasible this project would be to do in my driveway? I have a fairly good handle on mechanics, and I used to do almost everything myself on my old 1964 122s, so looking at it, it seems like I could possibly handle the replacement myself.

One shop I talked to said that the rad has to come out through the bottom -- is this true? Not that it's a big deal to jack it up to get clearance, but when i was looking it over it seemed like it might have clearance coming out the top.

So are there any hidden catches or considerations that might be a roadblock to trying this myself? My old '64 was of course as simple as a tractor, but these newer V's are all high-tech and much more of an origami-folding and compacting of parts!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Used to hang and converse all the time in the old vintage section of this site and loved it as a resource for shade-tree mechanics!

Thanks!







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    Help!? Can't understand why radiator can't come out the top?! S40-V40

    posted by  someone claiming to be Volvo-T on  Sat Feb 16 14:00 CST 2013 [RELATED]



    OK... I've got my new radiator ready to swap in, but I just went out to survey the work of getting the old one out, and I just don't see why it will not come out from the top!? Looking underneath there is a huge cross-member support for the engine that makes taking it out from underneath look really hellish.

    For the life of me, I don't see why there's not clearance to pull it from the top. Can somebody possibly explain to me why it supposedly must come out from the bottom?

    I've been searching this site for other info, and a couple of other posts, like one in the v70 forum said they managed it fine from the top?

    Anybody?







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    Radiator Purchased... prepping for change-out... S40-V40

    posted by  someone claiming to be Volvo-T on  Fri Feb 15 10:02 CST 2013 [RELATED]



    OK,

    I ended up purchasing my new radiator replacement from IPD, as I am actually in Portland and I have bought from them before, so trust them.

    I'll be tackling the change-out this weekend I think. One thing I am worried about though... looking at all the items I'll have to clear to pull it out from the bottom... there's a huge cross-member support for the engine right there!?
    Can this be removed temporarily in order to get to the radiator? Does the engine need to have additional support if the cros member is removed?

    Thanks for the help.







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      Radiator Purchased... prepping for change-out... S40-V40

      posted by  KlausC on  Fri Feb 15 10:31 CST 2013
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Because you are in Portland, ask the guys at IPD. They might be more familiar with the S/V40. There should not be anything below the radiator to keep it from coming out.
      --
      My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic








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    Need to replace 2000 v40 radiator... do-able at home, DIY? S40-V40

    posted by  RepairmanJackal on  Mon Feb 11 17:43 CST 2013
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    last visit: Tue Jun 10 09:52 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Yes, you can do it. I did everything to my 1967 and 1968 Amazons... I've done the radiators in my 1995 V940 and my 1998 C70... also maybe an 850 soon.

    That radiator is a bit of a nightmare to drop. Bottom is the way to go. My issues were mainly with the combination of the intercooler, transmission cooler, and several bolts that just didn't align.

    As Klaus says... keep the children and sensitive adults out of earshot. This will be a bit of a profane experience...


    My #1 lesson from the experience... be 100% sure that your intercooler is right-side up.

    Double-check.
    Triple-check.
    Quadruple-check.

    Human words cannot fully communicate the emotions when all is re-assembled... and the hoses don't fit because the intercooler is upside-down.


    Also, let us know if you are experiencing multiple cooling system failures. If your cap is bad or coolant is vanishing, something much more serious might be happening.








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      intercooler question S40-V40

      posted by  someone claiming to be Volvo-T on  Tue Feb 12 11:36 CST 2013 [RELATED]



      OK, thanks for the tips on intercooler orientation. Is it going to be necessary to drain any other fluid systems (ie intercooler?) in order to remove/replace the radiator?







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        intercooler question S40-V40

        posted by  Chris Mullet on  Tue Feb 12 17:01 CST 2013
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        "...Is it going to be necessary to drain any other fluid systems..."

        If you have an automatic transmission you'll have to disconnect the cooler lines at the radiator. You'll get some ATF dripping out. Usually you can just pull the ends of the hoses upward and tuck them behind something to keep them up and the fluid won't run out. If that doesn't work, something like a rubber glove finger held onto each hose with a rubber band will probably suffice.








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        intercooler question S40-V40

        posted by  KlausC on  Tue Feb 12 16:26 CST 2013
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Just the antifreeze. The IC is just air, if there is a trace of oil in it don't worry about it.

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








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      Need to replace 2000 v40 radiator... do-able at home, DIY? S40-V40

      posted by  someone claiming to be Volvo-T on  Tue Feb 12 00:24 CST 2013 [RELATED]

      Thanks for the encouragement, RPJ.

      Already I'm in uncharted territory though with the mention of the "intercooler". Does this involve draining another system of fluid to disconnect this as well? The intercooler cools air at intake into the turbo-charger right?

      I did love my old push-rod volvo... nice rattling tractor sound and yes, you could almost stand next to it in the engine bay!... I do like all my creature-comforts with the new one though... and the quiet ride.

      So I think I'm going to try this... take it slow, take pictures as I go along and proceed with care so that I can get it all back into place with the new replacement radiator.

      Oh... an prior to this I was not exhibiting any chronic problems at all with the coolant system. My temp gauge always stayed super-steady right at mid-level. I can definitely see a leak from the rad when I try to fill the reservoir with new coolant, so I just have to think that it's the radiator. The leak is not anywhere on the actual fins mind-you, but seems to be coming out one of the plastic sides.. the one with the petcock for drainage.

      Thanks again.







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      Upside down? LOL S40-V40

      posted by  KlausC on  Mon Feb 11 19:20 CST 2013
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Sorry, I am laughing so hard I can hardly type!!!! You didn't tell us that one! Yes, I can see that happening. I always try to place items in order that will go back on, and the correct orientation. Doing the struts comes to mind.

      Of course, forgetting to tighten the 2 caliper bolts and then wondering what the rattle in the rear of the car is all about...

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








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    Need to replace 2000 v40 radiator... do-able at home, DIY? S40-V40

    posted by  KlausC on  Mon Feb 11 12:25 CST 2013
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    But your 122 didn't have AC and an intercooler to make life more complicated. Plus, you could almost stand on the ground behind the radiator.

    Best bet is to get ramps, the radiator does come out of the bottom. At least the other models do. The condensor stays in the car, the intercooler comes out with the radiator. I figure it is at least a 4 hour job, and keeping impressionable children out of ear shot helps. The S/V40 does have a tight engine bay, especially if it has a 5 cyl in it.

    Use good quality antifreeze, the water pump is metal.
    --
    My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic







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