Flush coolant without a lift?

Durenol · Post by **Durenol** » 27 Jan 2020, 15:03

2007 xc70

Supposedly there are two drain plugs. I can sorta get to the one under the radiator, but I can't even see the one on the engine block with a flashlight and mirror. The only thing I have is the spare tire hand jack. Is it even possible to properly drain+refill the coolant on this car without a lift or pit?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 27 Jan 2020, 15:42

If you have some way of securing the car when lifted and you're fine lying on your back in the right space, yes. I would say the spare tyre jack will lift high enough but it's not secure. If not I would not try to reach the rear plug. It's on the back of the engine.

The front alone can do the job but it will take much longer and you'll use more fluid to rinse everything out since you're replacing less every time.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Jan 2020, 16:48

Please never go under the car lifted only with the spare jack, even if it's only to check something quickly. The very first thing to buy when starting to look after your car, is a jack stand (don't buy the cheapest, but no need for the more expensive either). Then lower the car on the jack stand under one reinforced point (may ask us about these).

Which engine do you have ? The 3.2 or the 2.5T ? On the 2.5T the rear drain is hidden but you can feel it by hand (cold engine) accessed from above the engine - you can also get to it from under the engine but I doubt you'd like a coolant shower, see inside this video somewhere www.youtube.com/watch?v=69ymGTqHxRw

Post by **volvolugnut** » 27 Jan 2020, 17:50

You can also make car ramps yourself from wood. DO NOT make them with any type of structure. Make them ONLY as solid boards full height and width. For a low car like newer Volvos, 2 x 6 boards on edge give a good height. Cut on diagonal at about 6 to 1 slope and nail or bolt the boards together face to face. You will need about 6 boards for each ramp. Make long enough for about 12 to 15 inches on the top. When in use, always set parking brake and block the front and rear of tires still on the ground.
These ramps are convenient for oil changes and maintenance not involving wheels without jacking both sides of the car and placing jack stands. Keep them dry and they will last decades.
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 27 Jan 2020, 18:38

Durenol wrote: ↑27 Jan 2020, 15:03 2007 xc70

Supposedly there are two drain plugs. I can sorta get to the one under the radiator, but I can't even see the one on the engine block with a flashlight and mirror. The only thing I have is the spare tire hand jack. Is it even possible to properly drain+refill the coolant on this car without a lift or pit?

Leave the plugs alone, and ease of the lower radiator hose and dump the coolant there.

To flush, idle the car with a hose running into the open reservoir, and let the water come out of the hose as well as the reservoir for 15 minutes. Don't leave the car in this state in case the hose flops out. As long as water is coming from reservoir, radiator, and lower hose, it's safe.

Post by **cn90** » 27 Jan 2020, 20:24

Yes to:

1. Wood ramps (photos in forum, I use 2x10 wood from Home Depot).

2. D/c lower rad hose, do not play with the radiator plastic drain plug, unless you want trouble.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 28 Jan 2020, 00:12

What are people's issues with the drain plugs? Brittle plastic? Is that a climate thing perhaps because here neither that nor failing radiators is very common. I'd be much more concerned about getting an old rubber tube to seal up well again. Both my drain plugs have been very easy to turn with a gentle grip.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 28 Jan 2020, 00:14

I agree ramps is very convenient. I bought ready made but they're slightly too steep, my car works but nothing even a cm lower. Add stops to the ramps so you can feel when you're in position.

Durenol · Post by **Durenol** » 28 Jan 2020, 02:52

I know the spare tire jack isn't safe for something like this, I mentioned it only by way of saying that right now without a lift I have no way of doing anything under the car except crawling on my back. I'm not going to mess around trying to build makeshift ramps out of wood, I'd and up paying as much as having a local gas station do the drain for me.

AFAIK the only engine available in the US for the 07 was the 5cyl turbo with auto tranny. My VIN engine code is 59 which I believe is the 2.5t.

Using tap water for anything is a no-go; the water here is very hard and not suitable for putting in an engine.

As for the radiator hose, it appears I'd need a lift to get to that as well so it doesn't help me here.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Jan 2020, 03:13

Durenol wrote: ↑28 Jan 2020, 02:52 My VIN engine code is 59 which I believe is the 2.5t.

Using tap water for anything is a no-go; the water here is very hard and not suitable for putting in an engine.

As for the radiator hose, it appears I'd need a lift to get to that as well so it doesn't help me here.

Pos. 6-7 Engine Version:

38 = B5244S4 S40/V50 2.4i FWD - Automatic in all States except CA, NY, MA, VT, ME, RI, NH / Manual in all States
39 = B5244S7 S40/V50 2.4i FWD - Automatic only in the States of CA, NY, MA, VT, ME, RI, NH and Contiguous States
52 = B5254T4 V70/S60 R AWD - Automatic / Manual
54 = B5244T5 S60 T5 FWD - Automatic / Manual
59 = B5254T2 V70 2.5T FWD / S60 2.5T AWD/FWD / XC70 2.5T AWD - Automatic Only
61 = B5244S V70 2.4 FWD - Automatic / Manual
68 = B5254T3 C70 T5 FWD / S40/V50 T5 AWD/FWD - Automatic / Manual
85 = B8444S All-New S80/XC90 V8 AWD - Automatic Only
98 = B6324S All-New S80/XC90 3.2 AWD/FWD - Automatic Only

Use Distilled Water from Walmart but not Distilled Drinking Water. Drinking water has minerals added back in to give it taste. Pure water is tasteless.

Car rams are $20- $50. The plastic ramps from Autozone have worked for me. They will go under a C70 and have enough lift to get under the car and get the job done. Sturdy enough for my heavy XC90.