Yesterday I had the car in the garage, with the hood up, replacing some hoses on the turbo. I noticed that my coolant reservoir (the clear tank on the passengers side) was empty. This can't be good, I thought, as I filled it back up to halfway between the "MAX" and the "MIN". This morning, as I was driving in to school, I stopped for gas, and noticed steam coming from under the hood. I opened it up, and it looked as if coolant was coming out from just under the intake manifold, right below the injectors. Is this a normal spot for coolant to come out??? I didn't think so. 5 hours later, as I parked it after coming back from lunch, there was no steam and it was not leaking anymore. And taking the car out tonight, I noticed that the heat wouldn't blow hot air for almost 30 minutes. Did I damage anything? Oh, and the reservoir is empty again... I would like to know if I should fill it again... the car is not overheating and running fine.

Thanks

Robin Roemisch

bitjockey@hotmail.com

Asheville, NC

'89 744ti m46 12psi

Robin, on an 89 744T you should seriously consider replacing almost all the cooling system components if the parts are original. This list consists of:

-radiator upper and lower hoses

-heater hoses

-heater water valve

-radiator to reservoir hose

-radiator if it is original

-thermostat

I know this sounds grim, but these parts only last reliably about eight years. After that, you are courting an engine meltdown if any one of them were to break. The cost of all the hoses and the valve will be about $75; the cost of a new metal radiator about $200. Good insurance.

I already installed IPD's 3-Core radiator... I'm gonna make a trip to my local volvo-god and get some new hoses today. Thanks for the advice...

Robin Roemisch

bitjockey@hotmail.com

Asheville, NC

'89 744ti m46 12psi

Robin, on an 89 744T you should seriously consider replacing almost all the cooling system components if the parts are original. This list consists of:

-radiator upper and lower hoses

-heater hoses

-heater water valve

-radiator to reservoir hose

-radiator if it is original

I know this sounds grim, but these parts only last reliably about eight years. After that, you are courting an engine meltdown if any one of them were to break. The cost of all the hoses and the valve will be about $75; the cost of a new metal radiator about $200. Good insurance.

Robin, It sounds like one of the heater hose has a leak they are 2. Of them running under the intake manifold by the firewall. I find them hard the access but I was told it is a lot easier if you remove the intake manifold. I would have it fixed before driving again. Good luck.

Thanks, Winston-- I'll have it checked out.

Robin Roemisch

bitjockey@hotmail.com

Asheville, NC

'89 744ti m46 12psi

If the water is leaking that quickly it should be easy to see where its coming from. Observe it when hot. Normal for no heat when coolant goes low as water can't circulate through the heater core. No damage done. Whatever you do keep an eye on the heat guage and do not let it overheat though. Under the intake manifold could be a hose or frost plug (latter not likely). Do not remove the intake manifold to change a hose. That would be like removing the engine to install new spark plugs