S80 2.4 2000 coolant loss.

[paulaitch]

Hello from rainy Yorkshire.

I have a problem with my S80 that has been ongoing for the past 3 years.
It constantly looses coolant, so much so i now have almost pure water in the cooling system now (as i could'nt afford to be continualy buying anti freeze to top it up).
The temperature NEVER rises above half way, there seems to be no oil in the water or vice-versa and there is no 'milky gunge' under the oil filler cap.
I can leave home with a full coolant tank(to max), then in less than an hour or so get a message to top up ASAP, strangely however if i return home, park her up overnight and check the water level the next day, the level is usually either at the max or a little below.
saying that, it has also been empty the next day. It is so temperamental and unpredictable and ODD.
I once drove from Yorkshire to London, i had to stop once, after about 10 miles, to top her up, then magically - 150 miles with NO warning messages to stop and top up!
BUT, on the return journey - i had to stop 13 times to top up!!
The pressure in the coolant tank really seems to build up when say driving around slowly trying to find somewhere to park etc, there appears to be a frothy fine bubbly head inside the coolant tank (like a cappuchino almost).
This car is driving me MAD!!!
I cant see any water leaks, the signs dont seem to point towards the head gasket.
PLEASE can anyone help?!?

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Do you have white smoke coming from the exhaust?

Find a friendly garage, not a Volvo main dealer, and have the cooling system pressure tested. Also ask them to check for exhaust fumes in the coolant. You could also ask them to do a compression test.

Bill.

[jbrown122]

What about replacing the green cap on the coolant overflow tank?

[paulaitch]

I have today ordered a new cap for the coolant overflow tank - watch this space!