1998 S70 T5 coolant leak -- photos

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 08 Sep 2015, 09:06

I can see a coolant drip in this specific area on my car -- doesn't take long for the coolant to get low. 2 photos attached, one is the general area (screwdriver) and another close up.

What am I dealing with here? Most likely? Difficult repair? -- thank you much

Post by **JDS60R** » 08 Sep 2015, 09:45

Its a fiddly repair but most can get through it. The turbo coolant hoses and a heater hose are in that general area. Start by cleaning all the old oil and gunk out of that area with an engine cleaner or your preferred purple cleaner and a small brush to agitate the gunk.

Once its clean you will be able to see where the leak is coming from. There is a slim chance that the turbo coolant housing ( center section/CHRA) cracked but that is rare and very difficult to see until clean . Replacing the CHRA is also something that can be accomplished but it is harder .

Know that Volvo's hate overheating, so If you have large doubts on your ability to change a hose , after cleaning the area up, then you may wish to seek an automotive technician. Otherwise, find the leak, use high quality hose and good clamps, then refill with proper antifreeze.

Post by **cn90** » 08 Sep 2015, 10:20

Turbo coolant hoses:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=55306

Heater Hoses rebuild mod:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=69238

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 08 Sep 2015, 12:19

I had the heater core replaced several months ago at the dealer. Would he have worked in that area at all or just inside the cabin? Thanks -- I'll clean it off -- I can see the drip just need to visualize it better.

By the way, a P0116 code came on but did not see the temp gauge exceed the midway point. BUT -- I lost a lot of coolant and was still driving yesterday. Hopefully, I'm ok.

Post by **JDS60R** » 08 Sep 2015, 12:58

It depends on the tech. I get the OE coupler for such a low price I put one in with every core that has over 100K miles on it ( that has me working under the hood as well as inside the car. If just the heater core was swapped (normal) then they would have been inside only.

If its going to be a while until you can fix this you may wan't to buy some ( I think it was 5/8 generic heater hose) and tie the two heater core parts together. It will punish you financially if you over heat the motor. Keep in mind the gauge is near the top of the cooling system. If the coolant level drops below the sensor ( doesn't take much - you will get a false reading as the sensor is not in contact with the coolant consistently.

I am not a fan of any of the bypass or mods that remove the coupler. The coupler is affordable and I want to avoid any chance of my customers getting carbon monoxide getting into the cabin after the sealant dries or pulls away from the firewall in the bypass situation. The heater hose prices are ridiculous so if on a tight budget we dremel off the swage crimp and re attach with a Gates Powergrip SB clamp and quality heater hose.

Post by **JDS60R** » 08 Sep 2015, 12:59

Best thing to do is to clean that up and find the leak right away.

Post by **cn90** » 08 Sep 2015, 13:02

The reason we get rid of the firewall coupler is NOT about cost. It is about the convoluted stupid design of the coupler by the Volvo engineers. Tons of O-rings, spacers etc. etc. for a simple thing.

Get rid of the coupler is one has to replace the heater hoses.

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 08 Sep 2015, 15:45

Ok you guys the leak from above in the photos must have been some built up condensation that was just dripping. When I cleaned it up, it stopped.

The coolant leak that I'm having is coming from somewhere just above the transmission and toward the passenger side of the transmission. I put the car on some small ramps and can't see above the transmission but it felt pretty dry. What would be the likely culprit in that area? (If there is one).

My oil is fine, engine is strong -- mpg is normal. Transmission fluid is fine.

It's definitely a coolant leak -- very steady and strong drip but not "shooting out" like it's under pressure. Will probably take the car in but maybe you guys may know.

THANKS.

Post by **JDS60R** » 08 Sep 2015, 16:05

The heater hoses and lower radiator hose all connect near the engine to trans mating surface.

Take a look at both heater hoses and the lower rad hose. If its right in the middle on the top of the trans its probably the heater hose connection.

There are turbo cooling hoses on the back side - you should check the hoses while you are there. The heat of the turbo doesn't help with longevity.

Take a look at the cooling system diagram - most Volvo 5 cyl are similar. (turbo coolant hoses are not in this diagram)

Post by **JDS60R** » 08 Sep 2015, 16:13

Here's a peek at the turbo coolant hoses.