2001 v70XC overheats

mydamnvolvo · Post by **mydamnvolvo** » 09 May 2016, 16:06

Hi, I recently purchased a 2001 volvo v70 with 154k miles on it. I got it for just under 2k because the man said it overheats. So, as I was driving home from Lodi, NJ, about an hour away, I am driving fine for a good 25-30 min. Then the check engine light comes on. I said okay, I'm less than 30min from home, Ill be fine. Next I notice the car's temp gage slowly climb. As the needle nears the red, the text box lights up and says "STOP SAFELY ASAP" "SEE MANUAL" I get the car to the side of the Cross Island Parkway and shut it off. I let it sit for 20 minutes, while I call my husband to let him know I bought the car. I start the car again, the temp is halfway from cold to the middle. I think, now that I'm less than 20min from home, I can make it. I drive off the ramp and onto the parkway, the check engine light comes on again. As I exit off the Southern State (those in NY know what I am talking about) and get to my block. By then the temp gage had climbed and the message "STOP SAFELY ASAP" "SERVICE URGENT" appears. I pull in my driveway and let it sit overnight. I got up early today to run it and it was fine. I think the check engine light only comes on when the car is actually driving. Can anyone help?

-Cynthia

volvomadness · Post by **volvomadness** » 09 May 2016, 22:37

Could be a few things. Put the air conditioner on and see if the fan is working. Hopefully you have antifreeze in the car. Get the code scanned. Could be the thermostat. Don't know if it has the housing or you can just replace thermostat. My 2006 has the housing which is a pain.

nsjames · Post by **nsjames** » 10 May 2016, 14:06

overheating on the freeway and after a time sounds like a radiator that's at the end of it's life or has it's airflow blocked.
it simply lacks the ability to cool the motor and becomes heat soaked.

A radiator should always be more than capable of dissipating even the most extreme heat from the engine, it's the thermostats job to maintain operating temp.
Since it happens after 20-30 minutes of freeway driving it's not likely a water pump, or a pressure issue.

Post by **abscate** » 11 May 2016, 08:36

Babying that car home probably saved you 2-4k in cash, Cynthia. You have seconds to act when these engines overheat, not minutes.

I doubt its blocked, its either a water pump that is spun or more likely a thermostat that is cranky and working some of the time.

Both fairly cheap fixes, the thermostat being easy DIY, the water pump is more involved.

Could be fans not coming on too, as noted above. At highway speed they arent needed, in slow traffic, they are.

To bad you are on Guyland......im between Tribeca and Albany but usually on Amtrak these days.

Post by **jonesg** » 11 May 2016, 13:25

Mine is a 2004 , I test the cooling fan by turning on the AC at idle, the cooling fan should start to run, they run very quiet though.

mydamnvolvo · Post by **mydamnvolvo** » 14 May 2016, 09:38

abscate wrote:Babying that car home probably saved you 2-4k in cash, Cynthia. You have seconds to act when these engines overheat, not minutes.

I doubt its blocked, its either a water pump that is spun or more likely a thermostat that is cranky and working some of the time.

Both fairly cheap fixes, the thermostat being easy DIY, the water pump is more involved.

Could be fans not coming on too, as noted above. At highway speed they arent needed, in slow traffic, they are.

To bad you are on Guyland......im between Tribeca and Albany but usually on Amtrak these days.

SOLVED!! The auxiliary fan is not coming on after the car idles. I ordered a new one for 88 bucks. Thank you all!!

Post by **abscate** » 14 May 2016, 20:43

Nice! Keep those eyes in the temp gauge for a few weeks until you know it's good. And keep the car away from the IS.