Radiator Problem

xk150 · Post by **xk150** » 27 Jun 2011, 18:13

Good Evening,

Have a very frustrating problem... my 2002 C70 is loosing about 6 ounces of coolant a day and I cannot find out where the leak is..

Was getting antifreeze smell when turning on the defroster... so did maintenance on the cooling system... Coolant flush, replaced the heater core even though no sign of leakage, coolant reservoir (small pipe was cracked), upper, lower raditor hoses plus two hoses for coolant reservoir...

Still loosing coolant and can find no sign of any leakage... I did replace the radiator about 30K miles back... wonder of the radiator has a tiny leak... do get a whif of antifreeze smell at front of the car.

No coolant in the oil.

Have two questions... Can anyone recommend the right radiator to purchase... Noticed FCP and EEuroparts sell Nessens and Auto Parts Warehouse has about 11 different offerings... Next, can someone please tell me where the thermostat is located? I assumed it was located in the normal location... under the engine coolant outlet connecting the upper radiator hose the the radiator... The thermostat I received appears to be a bit large...

Thanks

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 28 Jun 2011, 06:49

thermostat is at the end connection of the upper radiator hose, by the power steering reservoir.

Call FCPgroton on the phone and give them the VIN of the car and they'll send you the right radiator.

Post by **Juan62** » 28 Jun 2011, 07:10

You stated that you are still loosing coolant. Check the temp sensor (directly under the thermostat housing, enusre your raditor drain plug is closed, your reservoir bottom hose is NOT leaking. Check the thermo housing too for cracks/leaks. You can look at these while the engine is running. Make sure you get the correct thermostat for your vehicle (Volvo or Wahler). Also, for good measure, look around your timing belt cover for leaks...it maybe a hose or worse, water pump.

xk150 · Post by **xk150** » 28 Jun 2011, 09:04

Is there a thermostat gasket or just the rubber sealing ring that attaches to the thermostat? Good point on the timing cover... will examine... replaced the water pump about 3 years ago when I did the timing belt job.
I did remove the power steering pump to replace top radiator hose... but was reluctant to separate the thermostat housing since I didn't know if a new gasket was needed and I didn't have one.

Thanks for the help

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 28 Jun 2011, 12:22

no gasket but the rubber one around the t-stat

xk150 · Post by **xk150** » 28 Jun 2011, 19:55

Seems like I am loosing more coolant... about 9 oz. today... Removed the top cover from timing belt and stuck a probe down to get a look at the water pump... looks ok... Checked the heater core again... no leaks... check every hose... only one not replaced is the lower hose for the reservoir... waiting on it from Eeuroparts.. back ordered.. but cannot feel any moisture...

It was 96 degrees today.. when I got home checked the coolant level and it had dropped... hoses were fully pressurized and hard... but could not find any leaks... you would think wiht that much pressure I would find a leak... I am thinking I have a tiny leak in the radiator... In the old days we would take the radiator in and have it checked... under water under pressure looking for bubbles.

Any more ideas would be helpful.

Thanks