Radiator Repair/ Overheat.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 03 Sep 2012, 16:53

2000 xc 70. It has come time for me to replace the radiator. I am a little intimidated because of the extra steps with the trans oil cooler. I have developed a crack in the plastic. I have located it and tried sealing it w/ 2 part appoxy to get by. Still has pinhole leaks. I know that it is dangerous to run w/ a leak even if it is small because it is no longer a air tight closed system. My question is, if I drive it to work and the gauge does not show it overheating, is it possible I am still causing damage to the engine? I am ordering the radiator tonight/tomorrow from fcp. My wife needs to go somewhere tomorrow and I work. We have 2 vehicles. My work is a 60 mile round trip. I made it on friday w/ the leak because I did not know it was leaking until after I left. I kept a close eye on the temp gauge and it never heated up very much. Would I risk damaging the engine even if the temp gauge never heated up? (assuming the gauge is accurate.)

Thanks,
Nick

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Sep 2012, 20:10

I have been in your situation and have also had to make trips. While it isn't the best situation I just carried a gallon of 50/50 antifreeze just in case. Obviously, keep a close eye on the temp gauge. The gauge is doesn't react quickly but if you hit the red you are in serious trouble. If you can schedule a couple of stops to do a visual check along the way it can either give you piece of mind or at least hopefully prevent a complete meltdown.

...Lee

Post by **Pauloil** » 03 Sep 2012, 21:00

i watched mine leak for 8-10 months before replacing it. plan on new hoses at the same time and renew the coolant. also consider heater core.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 03 Sep 2012, 23:12

Thanks. I plan on ordering a new fcp radiator tomorrow and hopefully getting exchanged this week. One more job to tackle. I will keep posted.

Nick

Post by **rspi** » 04 Sep 2012, 02:59

One dip to the red severly warped the head on our S70. Be careful.

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Sep 2012, 07:20

I had pinhole leaks that gradually got worse over more than a year. As long as it doesn't burst and dump out all the coolant (not likely if it's just the radiator), you're fine. Keep an eye on your coolant level every day.

Change the two main hoses with your radiator. These are very often neglected. While you're under the car, check the two rubber lines at the turbocharger and make sure they're not leaking.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 04 Sep 2012, 18:25

Are there some seals I should get to go with it? I saw a seal kit you (jblackburn) reccomended to someone for a '98 but I can't find anything for mine (2000 turbo).

Post by **Pauloil** » 04 Sep 2012, 19:18

new o-rings on the oil cooler lines. be careful backing out the bolts holding the radiator in: might have to go in and out when unscrewing it to prevent stripping it.

volvolove · Post by **volvolove** » 04 Sep 2012, 20:12

how do i come up with a size? is there a kit for this car? or do I just take them loose, pop off the o-rings, and bring them in some where?

Never mind. I found them on IPD, just on on fcp, which is where I'm ordering the rad from.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 04 Sep 2012, 20:19

volvolove wrote:Are there some seals I should get to go with it? I saw a seal kit you (jblackburn) reccomended to someone for a '98 but I can't find anything for mine (2000 turbo).

On the 2000 the transmission cooler lines are a bit different than on the earlier models. The quick connects are green plastic and there are two yellow O rings on each line. I just bought some the other day.

The quick connect clips are part number 9485149 and the O rings are part number 3537503.

Your oil cooler is not in the radiator, it is bolted to the back of the block so there are no engine oil cooler lines to deal with in the radiator.

...Lee