Thermostat Bleeder?

joncott63 · Post by **joncott63** » 01 Sep 2012, 23:27

After several decades of Saab 900 Turbos (mostly SPGs) I moved into this century with a 2001 S80 T6. All new to me. Fixed several issues with it since buying it but ran into something confusing. Had a coolant leak and pulled the timing cover to figure out the source. Found a cobbed plastic L poorly siliconed into what appears is the top of the thermostat housing in a position similar to what Saab has for a bleeder. The cobb artist ran this hose out the timing cover bolt hole and using another elbow, up to another quarter inch outlet on the engine-side top of the expansion tank. (My expansion tank has two quarter inch outlets- one to the radiator and the one that was connected to this cobbed line.) I'm not seeing anything similar to this in the Haynes manual nor am I finding this on any parts diagrams on line. Can anyone be of help on this? I'd like to see what it should be and get the correct parts. Pic, diagram, anything that would help correct this.
TIA
Jon

joncott63 · Post by **joncott63** » 02 Sep 2012, 04:10

Searched at length and evidently it is a bleeder like I suspected. Posts were from March of 11. Anyone have any more info on this? Can't feature why the part isn't shown in the diagrams. Something from a later year? And where should this hose have exited from the timing belt cover?

Post by **precopster** » 02 Sep 2012, 05:11

This bleeder on top of the thermostat housing was dispensed with when the newer style engines appeared in '99. It appears that the ex owner has dipped into the Volvo 850/960 parts bin to create something of a Frankenstein cooling system wise.

My own V70 has an after market coolant bottle with 2 nipples just like yours. With this system you can use either an older 850 radiator with the nipple heading to the thermostat housing or use the bleeder going to the newer style ('99 plus) radiator which has the input for the bleeder. I just block one of mine off with a hose and bolt.

I don't know why this style of overflow bottle was produced but It may help with overheating problems if 2 returns are used.

joncott63 · Post by **joncott63** » 02 Sep 2012, 05:35

Thanks! I checked parts diagrams for multiple years and didn't find this set up on anything. This was an auction car so no telling what its history has been. The body is in great shape other than door dings. I've replaced a number of parts but got it cheap enough I'm still happy. It started leaking shortly after I got it so I took it and a water pump back to the guy I bought it from so he could replace it. Now I'm wondering if he found this mess and simply cobbed it back together. I'll have to call him next week and reveal what I've found. Not that I had that much confidence in him anyway. I put in a parts inquiry with one of the sponsor sites I've dealt with.

No issues since you plugged yours? I'm tempted to do that. Now that I have a better understanding of what it is I may rig something or simply plug it and see. Anyone else out there plug this?

djackson47 · Post by **djackson47** » 01 Oct 2013, 12:56

I have a 2002 S80 T6 and found coolant leaking from the bleeder at the T coming off of the thermostat housing. The bleeder valve is apparently part of the hose assembly (Volvo part #30680933). I have ordered a new one. Has anyone else had leakage at this point? Still awaiting the part, but will let you know if it fixes the problem.

crussell83 · Post by **crussell83** » 26 May 2015, 21:06

I ran into needing the Bleeder hose fitting this weekend. 02 S80 T6 262936. The bleeder hose goes from the top of the expansion tank to the center of the timing belt cover where many engines have a bolt hole (my 850 Turbo has the bolt). The end of the hose toward the engine/thermostat housing has a quick disconnect fitting. The dealer told me that (my 2014d version of VIDA confirms this) that I need to order the newer hose (30680933 $21) and a new belt cover (30637974 $90). ???? I came home tonight to research this a little more before spending over $100 for a $5 quick connect. I found that Europarts has what I need. I really only need the fitting on the end.
Volvo Expansion Tank Hose - Genuine Volvo 30680933 Looks like the same part number as above to me. I am going to order this part tomorrow and hope I don't find out why it calls for both.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 26 May 2015, 23:01

Be very careful as you manipulate the timing cover off the engine, as you're very likely to break off the plastic nipple that the quick-connect fitting on the hose connects to. In which case you will need a new thermostat housing (around $105). I advise everyine not to go for the URO metal repair nipple because many are too small for the quick-connect fitting to properly seal, so you still have a leak. There are a couple of relatively recent threads on this issue. Good luck,