Cannot put more than 3.5 liters of coolant in 97' V70 2.5LPT

[lepaien]

Hi there,

Last week I fixed the leaky turbo (one freeze plug was gone) on my recently acquired 97' V70 AWD 2.5 LPT. See this thread:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=26596

Now it's time to fill the engine again with coolant, and strangely, I cannot get to put more than 3.5 liters inside the engine, while all docs (haynes and Volvo seem to agree) claim I should put about 7 liters.

Here is what I did, just to make sure I did not miss something obvious.

1) I flushed the radiator, juste to make sure it was clean (water hose in the top inlet, with lower hose disconnected).

2) I then opened both drain plugs (radiator and block), to get rid of all residual water. I got about half a liter out of it. I then closed both drain plugs.

3) I positionned the climate control knobs on "hot" all the way as told in the haynes (I have a manual climate control with no AC)

4) Time to fill: I slowly poured the 50/50 mixture of Volvo antifreeze + water in the expansion tank. Slowly means about 1 min for 1/2 liter.

Problem: with 3.5 liters poured in the engine, the level reached the MAX mark.

I rocked the car, played with the hoses, it didn't change anything. I then shortly started the engine hoping the water pump would circulate the fluid and make room for more. It didn't change the level at all. Obviously I didn't let the engine run for long, as I'm not sure it is properly cooled all around.

So, what's going on here? Any hint? This is pretty weird from my point of view, but there should be a logical explaination...

Thanks in advance!

[Ozark Lee]

Start the car and let it heat up, as soon as the thermostat opens the overflow tank will start to drain and you can add more. Carry some antifreeze with you when you drive for the fist couple of times as it will likely take a little bit more as it works the air out of the system.

...Lee

[lepaien]

Hi!
Thank you for the tip.
What I've done now:
I started the engine and let it warm up, the coolant level dropped down to the MIN mark, but no further. I added coolant (ca. 1liter) to the MAX mark again and started the engine again. But by now I only have about 4,5liters in the system instead of the 7liters as stated in the Haynes and the volvo users manual.

I think my thermostat is stuck. I can't feel any fluid in the radiator top hose when I squeeze it...I'll take that thermostat out and test it.

It might too explain why I can't put the right amount of coolant in the system.

[lepaien]

Hi there!

To my big surprise, when I opened the thermostat housing, I couldn't find any! Yes There wasn't any thermostat in the system, it has been removed!
Anyway, now I think my waterpump doesn't work correctly...
As the car needs a new headgasket, I'll have that fixed at the same time.

It is just annoying, because I wanted to drive the car to my mechanic, now I'll have to bring it there on a trailer...