Hi everyone!!

I have to add almost 1.5 l. of coolant each 3 weeks..

I noticed that near the waterpump, there is, on one gasket (the horizontal one) some type of green jelly(beurk!). My mechanic said to me that it was my head gasket.. but changing the gasket means I will have to pay more than 500$.. Is there an additive that I can put in the coolant to fix the leak??

thanks

I second Mike's opinion.

The water pump gaskets (the round one on top of the pump) leaks just enough to put green goo on the head gasket area.

First replace the water pump. It is likely that you won't have any more problems after that.

Jean-Philippe,

If the leak is occurring at the top of the water pump, where the pump meets the underside of the cylinder heat, its probably the pump to cylinder head o-ring. Those things always seep after a few years. Water pump gasket plus 2 o-rings is about 10 bucks. If pump is old 5 years, just replace the whole things, 45 bucks aftermarket, 100 bucks Volvo. Good luck.

hi,

thanks for everybody who pointed me in the direction of yankee trading. they seem like the right people for the job. on another note, i recently noticed a grumbling noise toward the front of the engine block when the engine is cold. i thought it was in the water pump area so i asked around and thats what some people thought it might be. i checked the bearings on the fan and there is alot of play. i can't figure out why i wouldn't have been leaking coolant at all. i am assuming this means i need a new water pump and fast. i would much rather do this myself and was wondering how much work it would be. i took a look at it this afternoon and it doesn't look too complicated. it looks like i just have to drain the coolant, and unscrew a couple bolts. i realize i might have to take off the plastic that surrounds the fan, but again that doesnt look to complicated. if anybody has any info to make this a little easier on me, id appreciate the info.

p.s. the car has 212000 miles and im guessing hasn't seen a new pump since the first hundred thousand. and while im at it i guess i should replace the thermostat too?

cory smith