I have a very small radiator leak on my 94 non turbo wagon. Can any one offer any suggestions on a particular stop leak additive to use, and if this is even ok to do. Finally for summer I will have to get it replaced. Can you give me a ball park on what a dealer would charge to replace a radiator.
Thank you
Brad

Brad,

If its a very small leak it is possible to bodge it temporarially.

Some people recommend the following.

1) Clean the surrounding area of the small hole with emery paper.
2) Make sure its clean.
3) Apply some 5 minute epoxy to the leak area, and allow to harden fully.

I know this sounds like a terrible cowboyish bodge, but its supposed to be a temporary fix. Personally I have never tried it. I know it has worked for some people in the past. Up to you if you want to try it - its only another idea for you to play with.

Ziggy

Sounds like it's not something you'll take on yourself. I found a new direct replacement for my '95 850turbo wagon last summer at radiators.com and it took an afternoon to change it out following the Haynes manual. I paid $175 for it shipped but noticed right after that the price went up a bit.

Go to their website and give them a call them to see what it might be for your non-turbo. On the Turbo models there's an oil cooler in one side of the radiator and with an automatic trans there's a trans fluid cooler in the other side so a non-turbo radiator should be cheaper.

Anyway, I called around a couple of local garages and was quoted about $300 it they sourced the radiator. I wouldn't consider my dealership as they're labor rate is close to $90 per hour.

Check your phone book for a local Volvo independent shop.

As far as using any stop leak products, if it's just a small leak that might get you by till summer but I don't like using that type product for fear it may damage the heater core or heater valve. Purely speculation on my part.

Good luck,
--
Erwin in Memphis, '88 745t 193,000 miles, '95 855t 96,000 miles

brad:

i have the 94 non-turbo, manual transmission, wagon and the dealer told me i had a small leak when i took it to get its transmission oil changed. they quoted me $620.00 for changing the radiator only. I am thinking of buying the parts online (radiator about $220; hoses, thermostat and coolant about $80) and do it myself or take it to local mechanic saving about $150. If your wagon is automatic transmission, you may have to pay slightly more since the radiator is a different one.

yt855
'94 855@ 95k, non-turbo, 5 spd

Thanks everyone for all of your input.
Brad

got mine done for about 400 bucks at a local volvo mechanic

mark
96 850 T5