Volvo AWD V70-XC70 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 10/2009 V70-XC70 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

posted by  GordonN on  Fri Apr 8 14:01 CST 2005
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

I'm hoping someone may be able to help me figure out the cause of the coolant loss I've been experiencing the last several weeks. My 98 V70 XC has 146,000 miles, and is otherwise in flawless condition.
The problem started with a small, visible leak from the coolant hose at the rear of the engine which caused a small puddle of coolant on top of the rear heat shield. This was easily fixed by my independent shop by tightening the hose clamp. They pressure tested the system and all was ok, but within a couple of days, I was hearing a gurgling sound from the dash (I assume heater core) on startup, and level was low in the overflow tank. I've had it in 3 times now to my independent shop, and once to the dealer, and they have replaced the thermostat and the overflow tank cap, and they tell me the pressure tests are all OK. There is never visible coolant on the ground, but I find myself having to add about a quart every 75 miles or so. The engine has never overheated. Once I did see coolant down the side of the engine compartment near the overflow tank, so I'm wondering if the overflow tank is somehow leaking. The dealer suggests replacing the head gasket (~$1500), though the block test was supposedly OK.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
--
86 240 DL 130K; 98 V70 XC 132K(Bilsteins, ipd strut tower brace & sway bars, Wetterauer chip)








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

    posted by  tina on  Sat Apr 9 18:24 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Thu Nov 24 09:34 CST 2011
    [RELATED]

    Have you guys checked your coolant overflow reservior cap carefully? The old ones sometimes crack and fluid evaporates. I had that problem on my '94 850 and a new cap for $2 solved it. I hope yours is as simple!








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

      posted by  phly50 on  Sat Apr 9 21:55 CST 2005
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Thu Feb 21 10:55 CST 2013
      [RELATED]

      Thanks for that tip Tina, I wish it were that simple. One of the first things I did when I got the car was to replace the old grey cap with a new green one. You can hear the 'hiss' as the pressure is equalised when the cap is removed so I don't think the cap is the problem. No wet patches under the floor mats either so now I have to suspect the radiator as another poster has suggested.

      Cheers, Phil
      --
      '98 N/A S70 161,000Klm








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

    posted by  phly50 on  Fri Apr 8 19:37 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Thu Feb 21 10:55 CST 2013
    [RELATED]

    hmmm. I have experienced this problem as well - a slow unexplained loss of coolant. I was beginning to suspect the water pump, but I will look for a leak as suggested by the other posters below, and let you know what I find.

    cheers, phil
    --
    '98 N/A S70 161,000Klm








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

    posted by  V70BB on  Fri Apr 8 14:23 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

    Lift up the driver and passenger side floor mats, and check for signs of coolant. If the core is leaking, you may have puddles like I had.

    Common issue with these cars, and my indy also told me the system pressure test was fine, so apparently the test does not do a good job in catching the heater core.

    I was loosing a similar amount to what you mentioned.

    Head gasket is a very, very rare issue with the whiteblock, so don't let the dealership take you there.

    BB
    --
    1998 V 70 BASE








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

      posted by  someone claiming to be 250K on  Fri Apr 8 14:43 CST 2005 [RELATED]

      Yeah, "suggesting" a HG replacement in this situation is ludicrous, somewhat like doing a cardiac bypass on someone complaining of chest pin w/o doing a cath first. All the guy may need is TUMS. I'd run away from that crook. Your leak is most likely heater core or some other external source that will probably require some detective work to track down.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

        posted by  someone claiming to be johnk on  Fri Apr 8 20:07 CST 2005 [RELATED]

        I had an unexplained slow coolant leak on my 98 T5 with 105,000. I replaced the radiator and it no longer looses coolant.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

          posted by  phly50 on  Fri Apr 8 22:21 CST 2005
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Thu Feb 21 10:55 CST 2013
          [RELATED]

          Damn!! did you see evidence of a crack in the replaced radiator?

          --
          '98 N/A S70 161,000Klm








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            Engine Coolant loss V70-XC70 1998

            posted by  someone claiming to be johnk on  Sat Apr 9 14:58 CST 2005 [RELATED]

            I did not see evidence of crack in radiator, but after I removed it from car, I noted coolant on bottom of radiator. Radiator has plastic side tanks, sometime fail. I had already previously replaced all of the hoses on the car, so I didn't think it could be anything else (heater radiator was not leaking)nm,. You could also smell the coolant when you got out of the car. OEM aftermarket radiator was about $150 (Nessens, I think was the brand name).







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.