Timing belt ok, but cracked Radiator & Coolant Leak in rear

[precopster]

It's certainly possible though not the norm from the threads I've read. I'd be more worried about cylinders filling with water and corroding the liners than whether the HG leaks externally. I lost a block to this but it had been left sitting for 12 months prior to repair.

[S80T6_P_T_M]

Thx precopster for your input.. My next move.. I will do a compression test and pressure test on the coolant system before I take anything else off.. I think I would feel better if I have all the evidence before ripping the head off..

[S80T6_P_T_M]

meant to say, im going to do as suggested before ripping anything off.

[boosted5cyl]

Im a pessimist at the best of times but I'm optimistic for you. I think you have something leaking back there but not the block. It would be REALLY weird for it to be leaking from the block like that. Possible, yes but not likely.
If ts leaking as you fill it up.......try this..
Get under the car with a good flashlight and and inspection mirror, have someone add water to the tank while you look for the leak. Tap water from a hose would be fine for this purpose, you can flush the system when you are done.

I bet you a beer its leaking at a bracket that is at the front of the motor (ie timing belt end), attached to the head.

[boosted5cyl]

This pic might give you some ideas on where to look.....
Best of luck!

[S80T6_P_T_M]

Boosted, I’m right there with you... I’m optimistic as well.. This is my first foreign car as I was raised in a ford family and became a GM guy before I could drive. I have a new respect for Volvos now and I love my car. That’s why I will do what it takes to get it rolling again, and learn something along the way. Most ppl I know will say sell the car, my one mechanic friend says just drop a new motor, the other two mechanic friends, one being a foreign car tech., both say find the leak and fix it even if it is a HG.

I am a little ahead of you.. the friend familiar with most import cars spent an hour with me doing exactly what you suggested and this is how we can feel the source of the leak. he asked for a mirror of any type and me thinking so deeply at the time i looked and could not produce one right then and there.. But remembered later I could have used my phone and get excellent pics and even video.. We took turns looking and pouring small amounts of water, and it only takes about a quart of water before it starts to leak.. we could see it leaking from under the car but the source of the leak was above the turbos and above the central/main coolant tube. So it leaks on just about everything under the source and drips down. But from top with on turbo tube off as well as the heat shields off we can reach down and feel the water coming out.. so I still want to see it with my eyes, as we both said I never seen a HG leak like that let alone the block unless it was a blown freeze plug.. I will be getting the pics and video of the leak soon when I get a chance, but it may be Thursday before I can.. Ill update you with the outcome..

As far as the beer, I don’t know, but I owe a guy from VS a beer for helping me get the car to stage 0 when I first bought the car, it was running crappy and lighting up with about 8 codes.. S8ET6 if you’re out there I still owe you one.. .. Ok Boosted its a bet..

[S80T6_P_T_M]

LOLzzzzz... Is that your pic?? well I had this pic when we were looking for the leak.. I had it on my phone for him to look at and see if we could figure it out.. Im going to circle the area we felt water coming out..

[S80T6_P_T_M]

This is the area I can feel the water coming out...

[S80T6_P_T_M]

nice circle.. huuh???

[boosted5cyl]

Yeah I just threw the pic together today with the rings. For sure video/pics from a phone is a great way to go. Saved my a$$ more than a few times! Found a massive oil leak in my S80 that only happened above 2500RPM... Busted $.50 turbo oil return line seal. I put my phone on the ground under the car, revved it and watched the video....