Replacing radiator on '98 S70 GLT

[erikv11]

One good bet is that the Nissens quality has gone downhill in recent years. Like everything else aftermarket, some might say like all replacement parts period ...

I've only ever gone with Volvo branded radiators, replaced three none have gone out on me yet.

[cn90]

Browsing the internet, I came across TYC Radiator (TYC is a Taiwanese company) but the TYC rad is made by Koyo, which is a Japanese company. The model for ? 1994-1997 850, and 1998 S70/V70 with auto and turbo is 2099.

Has anyone here used Koyorad 2099?

Koyorad.jpg (101.01 KiB) Viewed 757 times

[cn90]

- So I check the records from the previous owner. Dealer replaced the rad around 2010 and at 133K or so (I am now at 190K).
So the rad is only 7y/57K miles, not a time for crack in the upper hose outlet.

- I took the car for a drive, got a flashlight and telescopic mirror, once under pressure and heat, the leak is rather interesting.
If you sit in the passenger seat and look straight ahead, it leaks drop by drop at the 6 o'clock position, where the UPPER hose meets the outlet. Tightened the clamp a bit: no change, still leaks. Looked carefully no plastic crack. Repositioned the clamp, twist the hose a bit, same thing: leaked at 6 o'clock position.

- The hose is from the year of 2013 and was a brand-new Volvo OEM factory hose.

1. So...has anyone had a leak from the UPPER hose itself?

2. If so, especially this hose is still new, is it a good idea to remove maybe 1/2 inch of the hose, then re-connect it?
Car has a burned valve #3, so I am trying to avoid dumping more money into it.

[abscate]

We did have as recent report of a Volvo radiator hose material failure like this

[cn90]

UPDATE:

- Removed the UPPER Rad Hose: hose perfect.
- Radiator UPPER Outlet is perfect.
- Recall that both the hose and radiator are OEM Volvo with hose from 2013, and rad is from 2010 with only 7y/57K miles.

- Put everything back, ran engine until hot, then found the leak! It is between the Fitting and the Radiator Black Nut.

- Took a random photo from the web to show the exact source of the leak.
- So I am thinking about undoing the fitting, put some Teflon tape and put it back. Any who has done this can offer some advice? I hate to screw this up, causing mixing of Engine Oil and Coolant!!!
- Does anyone have the engineering aspect of this fitting, i.e., how does oil and coolant passages run?

Leak.jpg (94.39 KiB) Viewed 718 times

It is exactly like this video:

[youtube][/youtube]

[cn90]

I saw the thread by abscate, so I assume the inside anatomy is very similar between Volvo OEM and Nissens rad?
As you can see, abscate Rad is from a 1999 T5, but the concept is the same: the metal fitting is screwed into the plastic side tank.

viewtopic.php?t=79799


Photo of anatomy of Nissens Rad by abscate:

[cn90]

So it looks like the fitting has 2 places that need sealing:
1. At the Plastic Radiator itself.
2. At the Metal Cooler itself.

My question re sealing material: is Teflon Tape (the same stuff used in home plumbing) OK?


This guy posted a nice video on youtube from another car. It clearly shows how the "Oil Cooler" or "Transmission Cooler" Internal anatomy (2-tubes-in-one design). Skip to time marking 4:05 to see the anatomy of the cooler:


[youtube][/youtube]

[cn90]

Just came across Valeo radiator issue in Mercedes forum!
- I have EXTERNAL leak: from radiator to the outside world.
- These Mercedes people have INTERNAL leak: coolant enters the transmission, causing trans failure!

This guy brian000 in Mercedes forum posted nice diagram of the typical Valeo radiator design. The only thing that separates ATF (or engine oil) and the coolant is the sealant (what is it: Teflon versus ___?) that is used in the fitting that screws into the cooler unit.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/c209-a2 ... l-fix.html


I am reposting the diagram drawn by the Mercedes forum:

Valeo-Leak.jpg (23.79 KiB) Viewed 694 times

[cn90]

- Does anyone here have an old Valeo (Volvo OEM) radiator with the cooler port that you can do an autopsy? Such as removing the cooler port and post some photos so I know the internal anatomy.

- I hate to screw around and destroy an otherwise good radiator.

- Or I can make a trip to local junk yard and play with some junk radiators there?

[erikv11]

Another reason to do routine trans fluid changes!

That other post by mecheng you bumped up says "no o-ring, no thread sealant, probably tapered threads" about the cooler port. So probably the same for these Volvo rads. I think the parts car has a Valeo and it is old enough I would never re-use it, I will try to take a look at it this weekend if no one else gets you the info first.