'01 XC coolant spewage!

Moneypitowner · Post by **Moneypitowner** » 25 Jan 2016, 15:07

So after cleaning/replacing pcv components on this worthless pos. It's been running pretty well. I made it up to the top of our snowy driveway (in the process discovering the AWD doesn't work) I decided to head down to the parts store to replace a "dipped beam" headlight (idiotically cryptic terminology that these swedes use). When I got back to the top of our driveway, with some revving back and forth to get turned around, I noticed the engine compartment billowing smoke and the car telling me the coolant was low (which I just topped off the previous day due to loosing some in the pcv fiasco)
I opened the hood w/the engine running and saw what I assume was coolant spewing out of the drivers side of the block! Sort of top side I guess, around where the coolant/air line go back to the turbo (from the banjo bolt on the intake manifold) where the two aforementioned, insulated lines run up next to the block. If that description was a little convoluted, I'll try to post a pic.

Is this a cracked head gasket?

How much does this job normally run for an Indy shop? Cause I sure as hell don't want to fiddle with the same crap I just took apart and got back on.

Last question, I bought some blue devil treatment not to long ago and didn't end up using it, I know lots of folks think its a product that should never be used, but would y'all risk it?

sparky65 · Post by **sparky65** » 25 Jan 2016, 17:10

There is another banjo bolt that attaches the coolant side of the PCV tube that runs across the front and to the driver's side of the engine. It is right about where your leak seems to be. It ports coolant back to the head. I'd dig around in there, I bet you find it. Check that both washers are on and that it is tight but not stripped out or cross threaded. No, I think you will deeply regret using blue devil or any of that kind of crap.

Moneypitowner · Post by **Moneypitowner** » 25 Jan 2016, 17:20

So is this bolt returning coolant from the turbo to the block? I'm wondering why I didn't read about it in any of my research nor come across it in the pcv overhaul.

When it was spewing out, it was coming directly from the block, sort of right behind the insulated lines on the drivers side of the engine.

I'll look, however, I know where I saw it come from, just couldn't get a clear pic. It looks like where the head connects to the block, would it be possible that the gasket blew out on that side, just on the exterior side of the water jacket?

sparky65 · Post by **sparky65** » 25 Jan 2016, 17:30

I should remember if the banjo bolt is to the head or to the block but I can't. I'd swear it goes to the side of the head. Yes, you can't see it without moving those lines out of the way. I would be surprised if it was coming out of the head gasket but I guess I've seen stranger things. If it is really spewing it out, the block sealer in a can isn't going to do much for you. So you didn't replace that line when you did the PCV job? There is a small loop of rubber hose that comes off the ridged line and loops back forward to the banjo fitting.

Moneypitowner · Post by **Moneypitowner** » 25 Jan 2016, 18:18

The banjo bolt on the underside of the intake is the one that has to be taken off for replacing/cleaning the pcv oil trap mess. I didn't replace that insulated line, one is an "airway" and the other is a coolant line from what I gather. The airway was clear for the most part so I left it alone. Plus, I barely had the $ to replace the oil trap...stagnant wages and slow business and such, another topic :/ . I will check that location though...

Maybe my terminology is a little off; the spewing was from what looked like where the head attaches to the block. I should have tried harder to put an arrow in that picture that better showed the location, but my head was hot at the time... I just shut the car off after taking the pic. The temp gauge stayed at operating temp the whole time. No overheating, just me..

Moneypitowner · Post by **Moneypitowner** » 25 Jan 2016, 18:43

Are #s 10,14, and 15 in this drawing what your referring to?

Is that a banjo bolt because it carries coolant in and surrounding the bolt?

sparky65 · Post by **sparky65** » 25 Jan 2016, 18:57

Yes, 10 and 14 are copper crush washers. Bolt 15 has a port through center and side that pass the coolant through. Also note that the rubber end that loops back could also be the source of the leak. Leaks like these can seem to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I'd hate to see anyone call it a head gasket before eliminating the far cheaper possibilities. Seems that you are getting fed up with this project specifically and probably with Volvos in general, but they are really great cars and I think worth the effort.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Jan 2016, 04:06

Either the banjo bolt or could be the heater hoses ( expensive) which connect to the rear of the block. That could also be the two small cheap turbo hoses which are right behind these. Those hoses are cheap,but tough to put on. Cut old ones off, get all the clamps on loose and push them onto the fittings using water as lube.

Moneypitowner · Post by **Moneypitowner** » 27 Jan 2016, 10:28

I am frustrated with this vehicle and its design, being a p2 I assume it was a "beta" design of sorts.

I forgot to mention that this is the 2.4 turbo engine. I did discover what I was hoping to, the leak was a cracked hose, which at first sight was probably coming out with such force that it was shooting up against and off of the side of the engine, leading me to think the source was somewhere else.

: That's it

You can see me pointing the clamp on the hose out, back a couple inches from my finger, is this the lower coolant hose from the radiator (drivers side)?

I guess that would explain the large amount of coolant lost just to that leak. When I checked on it the second time, I filled the reservoir to just below max (cold) and idled the engine up to running temp (midway on gauge), that's when it started bubbling out of the crack in the hose. I'm assuming that's when it got warm enough to open the thermostat and start cycling coolant through the block cause the top radiator hose was warmish at that point as well. At that point it had also sucked the reservoir down below minimum line. It hadn't leaked much fluid at all when idling the car to test it I don't know what normal is, regarding how much it takes in at operating temp.

sparky65 · Post by **sparky65** » 27 Jan 2016, 13:37

Looks like that is one of your heater core hoses. If the split is close to the end, you could try cutting it back and reconnecting it.