99 V70 Split 2 Radiators

snowcamper · Post by **snowcamper** » 07 Jul 2016, 18:16

1 have a 99 Volvo V-70. The Radiator split 2 years ago, I thought it might of froze previously and did not give it much thought. 2 years later the radiator split right down the passengers side seem at the crimp. Ok i put another radiator in it. New every time! Two weeks weeks later, new radiator split in the same exact spot. No reason why,runs at normal temperature, the fan does work, and i replaced the radiator cap the last time because it should the safety so that the preasure does not go to high. Am i missing something? HELP

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Jul 2016, 19:09

What brand was it? That is very unusual, even with a cheap radiator.

...Lee

snowcamper · Post by **snowcamper** » 07 Jul 2016, 19:11

Yes. Spectra

snowcamper · Post by **snowcamper** » 07 Jul 2016, 19:12

Same Brand 2 yrs ago also

Post by **kcodyjr** » 07 Jul 2016, 19:39

2 years sucks for a radiator. 2 weeks is a manufacturing defect.

Make the vendor give you another one. Better yet, get your money back, and get an OE replacement.

Post by **scot850** » 07 Jul 2016, 23:04

Have you checked your engine mounts? Especially the one under the crank pulley. If this, the upper and/or lower torque mounts are bad, due to the engine twisting back toward the passenger department, they will place a lot of stress on the top radiator hose. That in turn will help the RHS radiator seem to split, or the top hose outlet to crack.

When did you last replace the top radiator hose? Again , these go hard and are not flexible, also stressing the RHs of the radiator.

Having said that, even with good mounts I had a brand new Nissens radiator leak from the RHS seam first time out.

Neil.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Jul 2016, 05:17

I was thinking excessive pressure in the system if it's splitting at the seam, but I agree- this is a defect (same radiator, same seam leak), just that this happened earlier than later this time. I would buy a different one for sure. Nissin is fairly reliable if you don't want to spend for an Volvo radiator- btw, I have never put a Volvo radiator in a Volvo and have had very few problems with the ones I've installed.

Post by **MrAl** » 08 Jul 2016, 10:41

Hi,

I am still quite new to these cars but i too have read that the top radiator hose gets hard over time and that causes problems because the engine moves slightly and the hose has to flex, and if it cant flex then the radiator gets stressed too much mechanically. That usually causes a break in the bottom of the nipple where the hose connects though, but if the nipple is a reinforced type it may cause the stress to go farther down where that troublesome seam is. BTW, that's where mine leaked too recently that's why i had to have my rad replaced just last week. My upper hose was pretty flexible though.

Another guess, besides a defect in the product from the manufacturer, and remember i am new to this car so am just starting to learn about it, is that the frame of the car might be shifting too much and pulling on the mounts or something. If you had the radiator out of the car and you pull on opposite sides of the rad with enough force, it will come apart. But also, if you have the rad mounted to a rectangular frame of strong steel and then warp the frame by pushing the top to the left and the bottom to the right, that will try to warp the radiator body too and that no doubt will cause one or both seams to split.
If on the other hand, you push BACK on the left side of the rad (looking at it from the front of the car) and hold the right side still, the warp might only occur on the left side and so only the left side may split.
In any case though i would look at the frame of the car where the rad is mounted and see if there could be any shifting, and if so, could it also warp the radiator body.

Again, this is just a possibility if the rad is not just defective.

Good luck with it.

snowcamper · Post by **snowcamper** » 08 Jul 2016, 10:45

Spectra Premium CU2424 Complete Radiator for Volvo S70/V70
by Spectra Premium
2 times now