check engine - coolant explosion?

Giata · Post by **Giata** » 24 Jul 2017, 12:31

So friday i pulled into my parking spot and got out... my car had threw up coolant everywhere it seems. (back story, replaced the heater core about 1.5 months ago, since then the check engine light has been on thew a code for the overdrive P0234 i think). There has been some heat coming off the engine when i drive (usually 7 miles to work, 7 miles home) into the cab of the vehicle, i cna feel it on my legs as i drive. then you can also feel the heat once parked and walk by the front, the thermostat has not gone into red, but the bcm is out so not sure if the gauges are acccurate. the fan has come on once the car is turned off tho.
Anyway.....filled coolant, tightened cap, drove home... no real issues.. checked coolant levels this morning before work and it was super low and my inside temperature gauge had the temp at 32 degrees with a cute little snowflake icon.

from all the research ive done .. it seems it could be the thermostat and sensor that needs to be replaced - is there anything else that should be checked? My mechanic is out right now do to medical issues so also, is it safe to drive for the next few days?

2004 xc90 t6 is what i have...

Post by **cuhfs** » 24 Jul 2017, 20:23

If it were me I would not drive for fear of damaging an expensive engine, Even a rental car for a week is cheaper insurance then risking the engine damage. If you must drive watch the temp gauge. Don't let it over heat.

Post by **precopster** » 25 Jul 2017, 02:41

[font=][font=][/font][/font]That temperature guage with the snowflake icon is for external temperature for icy roads. They don't have an internal ambient temperature warning. They only have the temperature guage (you call it a thermostat) only as a means of warning of overheat of the engine.

Of course you can feel heat when you walk by the front; it's an engine!! Normal for fan to come on with engine off on this series.

You really need to find the source of the coolant leak before it results in engine damage.

Giata · Post by **Giata** » 25 Jul 2017, 09:54

precopster wrote: ↑25 Jul 2017, 02:41 [font=][font=][/font][/font]That temperature guage with the snowflake icon is for external temperature for icy roads. They don't have an internal ambient temperature warning. They only have the temperature guage (you call it a thermostat) only as a means of warning of overheat of the engine.

Of course you can feel heat when you walk by the front; it's an engine!! Normal for fan to come on with engine off on this series.

You really need to find the source of the coolant leak before it results in engine damage.

my mechanic is in today and is replacing the thermostat along wit the ambient air temp sensor, if i can find it local.

im aware heat can be felt from an engine ... this is excessive heat tho and stays hot for a while... the fan has only came on this before when the heater core needed to be replaced which is why it does tend to worry me be abit

Giata · Post by **Giata** » 25 Jul 2017, 09:58

cuhfs wrote: ↑24 Jul 2017, 20:23 If it were me I would not drive for fear of damaging an expensive engine, Even a rental car for a week is cheaper insurance then risking the engine damage. If you must drive watch the temp gauge. Don't let it over heat.

It hasnt registered red on the thermostat gauge on the dash so not over heating as far as i know... i drive about 7 miles to work an 7 miles home... mechanic is in today so he is taking a look at it....

Post by **precopster** » 26 Jul 2017, 03:07

Simple OBDII scanner test will report live data such as coolant temperature. Your mechanic should be able to view the coolant temp with the engine running. Over 118deg C while idling is on the high side. The fan comes on at 105 degC and should lower the coolant temperature to about 95 degC.