Coolant bleeding

dubsetter · Post by **dubsetter** » 08 Dec 2016, 12:08

I recently replaced my thermostat sensor. After taking my 850 for a test drive afterwards, my coolant light started randomly flashing on and off sporadically (I figured I didn't clip the coolant reservoir sensor all the way in). When I pulled onto my street the light stayed on. When I got out I noticed I had lost a decent amount of coolant which came out of the thermostat housing. Luckily I was pretty close to home when the light started flashing on and off.

I ended up stripping one bolt trying to get the housing off. After finally drilling the bolt out last night, I found a small piece of plastic from a zip tie which fell on top of the gasket that I didn't see when I put the housing on.

I picked up a new gasket and volvo coolant and am ready to add coolant back in. I know the thermostat has a bleeder hole and I've read you should let the car idle for 10min to bleed the air out. My question is, do I leave the reservoir cap on or off(I read a forum where someone mentioned leaving the "cap" off)

Thanks

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Dec 2016, 12:34

Leave the cap off; refill when the thermostat opens. Put the cap on and drive around the neighborhood. It may empty the reservoir again.

After ~2 fill-ups, you should be fine. Keep an eye on the coolant level (and possibly a jug in the car) for a week or so as it works the air bubbles out.

dubsetter · Post by **dubsetter** » 08 Dec 2016, 16:07

Great thanks! Unfortunately when I went to loosen the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator it snapped off. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Since the valve is still closed, I guess I am going to drain from the lower radiator hose.

It looks like I will be able to remove the broken part stuck inside the radiator with a hex key(hopefully)

Post by **abscate** » 08 Dec 2016, 16:15

Leave that broken part in and epoxy it in place. Usually if you try to remove it you goober up the plastic threads and end up epoxyimg the hole anyway