coolant loss
coolant loss
My 1993 850 GLT is losing coolant. The indicator on the dash says low coolant. But when I bring the coolant up to level the warning light does not go out. Now the dipstick is covered by a milky looking substance (water?). The car is not running hot. Is this a leak in the intercooler or head gasket? I don't think it's the head gasket but I could be wrong. If it is the head gasket, is it worth spending the money to fix it? I almost forgot...the plastic pipe that runs behind the intake manifold to the flame trap is broken.
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vjaneczko
- Posts: 1550
- Joined: 27 March 2006
- Year and Model: 2006 S60R
- Location: San Antonio, TX
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How much coolant are you losing? Are you blowing any smoke from the tailpipe? Any puddles around the engine?
If the indicator doesn’t go out, you may need a new coolant level sensor.
The milky dipstick could be due to cold weather - is it chilly down there right now? Does it look like a yummy cappuccino? That'll happen when the car doesn't run very long and the condensation will accumulate in the pan. Run the car for 15 minutes in a "spirited" manner and it should cook off any condensation.
The stock intercooler is not liquid based, so that shouldn’t be part of the issue. If you suspect it’s leaking into the IC, you can pull the lower hose and feel around. It’ll probably be a bit oily but it’s common. There’s a drip hole in the bottom of the IC, too. Check if it’s wet – it may be clogged, so you can clean it out first.
You should also check all 5 of the coolant hoses while you’re in there, as well as the expansion tank (known to crack & leak) and its cap (gray ones known to suck).
Broken hose: Part of the PCV and should be fixed. Have you done a PCV job recently? If not, it’s a good time to knock that one out.
If the indicator doesn’t go out, you may need a new coolant level sensor.
The milky dipstick could be due to cold weather - is it chilly down there right now? Does it look like a yummy cappuccino? That'll happen when the car doesn't run very long and the condensation will accumulate in the pan. Run the car for 15 minutes in a "spirited" manner and it should cook off any condensation.
The stock intercooler is not liquid based, so that shouldn’t be part of the issue. If you suspect it’s leaking into the IC, you can pull the lower hose and feel around. It’ll probably be a bit oily but it’s common. There’s a drip hole in the bottom of the IC, too. Check if it’s wet – it may be clogged, so you can clean it out first.
You should also check all 5 of the coolant hoses while you’re in there, as well as the expansion tank (known to crack & leak) and its cap (gray ones known to suck).
Broken hose: Part of the PCV and should be fixed. Have you done a PCV job recently? If not, it’s a good time to knock that one out.
"He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." - Douglas Adams
1997 855 GLT - R.I.P.
2006 S60R - For ME!
1997 855 GLT - R.I.P.
2006 S60R - For ME!
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phils94850
- Posts: 1156
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- Year and Model: 2009 s60 turbo
- Location: Indiana
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+1 try and figure out how much coolant your losing. If the exhaust kinda has a sweet smell or white smoke then its a headgasket more than likely.
1996 Platinum Edition
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vjaneczko
- Posts: 1550
- Joined: 27 March 2006
- Year and Model: 2006 S60R
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Been thanked: 6 times
I forgot one: check if your heater core is leaking or if your drivers-side capet is wet.
"He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which." - Douglas Adams
1997 855 GLT - R.I.P.
2006 S60R - For ME!
1997 855 GLT - R.I.P.
2006 S60R - For ME!
Looks as if the coolant level is only dropping as far as the last 1/4 inch of the expansion tank. I can't see a leak there however. The coolant cap is the old gray stock one. I will change it out an see how it goes. Is it possible for the cap to allow the coolant to vaporize enough that you cannot see a visable leak?
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KarlsRanch
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 7 February 2011
- Year and Model: 850 Turbo 1994
- Location: CA
I also had a mystery coolant leak from our Volvo 850 Turbo.
I pulled out the expansion tank to take a look and wiggled the Thermostat to Expansion Tank hose at the base of the tank. There was a crack on the neck of the expansion tank outlet just above the end of this hose and it came away in my hands with the hose. The expansion tank over time became brittle which allowed a crack to form. The hose seemed to be securely attached which it was and there were no obvious signs of a leak either as it is kind of hidden under there.
The coolant light being on with the tank full is probably the magnetic float getting stuck at the bottom of the tank. That means the sensor will read empty all the time.
I'm not sure if your tank is the same or similar but be careful if you replace the tank not to pull on the sensor wires when you take it out of the tank.
I pulled out the expansion tank to take a look and wiggled the Thermostat to Expansion Tank hose at the base of the tank. There was a crack on the neck of the expansion tank outlet just above the end of this hose and it came away in my hands with the hose. The expansion tank over time became brittle which allowed a crack to form. The hose seemed to be securely attached which it was and there were no obvious signs of a leak either as it is kind of hidden under there.
The coolant light being on with the tank full is probably the magnetic float getting stuck at the bottom of the tank. That means the sensor will read empty all the time.
I'm not sure if your tank is the same or similar but be careful if you replace the tank not to pull on the sensor wires when you take it out of the tank.
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