98 Volvo V70 XC Oil line leaks at oil cooler

[scot850]

I sold this car to a young couple about 4 months ago, and I help out with repairs as needed. Just before I sold it I replaced the oil cooler lines from the thermostat under the crank pulley to the oil cooler side of the radiator. I only replaced the pipes as the dealer said the reason they kept leaking at the thermostat housing was they were bad.

I bought OE Volvo lines from Tasca Volvo, and installed them. On doing so, I discovered the dealer mechanic had torn the 'O' ring at the thermostat end for the second time. I removed the cooler, removed the rough edge and installed the new lines, even though it only needed the 'O' rings (too expensive to return to Tasca from Canada). Now I see at least the upper line is leaking from the cooler at the radiator. I recall when I installed them, they seemed to be fairly loose in the cooler connections. These are the same part as removed from the car, so I am wondering if there is problem with the cooler line. I have had several problems with the quality of Volvo OE parts over the last year or so, as they look like most after market parts/quality. Often don't even have the Volvo names on them any more, only on the packaging or supplying labels.

I may be jumping to conclusions here too soon, until I can remove the pipes and check I didn't rip one of the cooler line 'O' rings. There is a first time for everything (and yes I lubed them prior to carefully installing them.

Any thoughts or other suggestions? Would a fault with the thermostat (no longer available new from Volvo) possible cause this?

Thanks,

Neil.

[scot850]

Hi guys,

Any thoughts on this please? I'm considering re-fitting the old lines even though it is a pain, as they felt 'tighter' when fitted to the radiator end. I'll also order replacement 'o' rings for each pipe and the silicone sealing washer to. I can return them if they aren't needed. I don't typically like using 'goop' to seal stuff, but is there one anyone would suggest as a worst case scenario?

Is there anything else I should check that could be causing a possible pressure build up in the system (other than the PCV that was done recently, including all pipes. Oil pump seals and 'o' rings also replaced in the oil pan last year.

Thanks,

Neil.

[tryingbe]

I don't know about your radiator but I was able to put 1/2 inch barb ends for the oil cooler and 3/8 inch barb ends for my transmission cooler on my Autozone radiator. I then cut out the volvo rubber hoses off but kept the metal tubes, and run 1/2 inch oil cooler hose and 3/8 inch transmission cooler hose.