RobertDIY - A Radiator removal and replacement WARNING Topic is solved

Post by **Eddystone** » 04 May 2021, 23:02

If you are anticipating working on your P80 and watching YouTube videos, here's a word of advice (one might even say a warning): Stick to videos by Robert Spinner (RobertDIY) and stay away from those posted by FCP Euro. The FCP Euro people are great guys, and I buy just about ALL my parts from them because the prices are decent and they are extremely reliable. However, their online videos are, in my opinion misleading for us DIY shadetree mechanics. They make every job look like a piece of cake whether it is or not.

I watched the FCP video about replacing the radiator in my S70, noted down the procedure and went ahead. By the time I got the radiator out, it was apparent that no one in their right mind would remove the radiator from the top. It was obvious that it should have been removed from the bottom. Lo and behold, I watch Robert's video and he takes the radiator out the bottom and supplies many details that were not included in the FCP video which (while somewhat helpful) seems really only to be there to sell parts.

From now on, I will never again research a job I am about to do without looking to see if Robert has produced a video about it. I usually do, but this time I was too lazy, and it looked pretty straightforward on the FCP video. I like to use my own head and make my own decisions. Sometimes I do things differently than Robert.

However, I am right this minute going into my PayPal account and sending Robert Spinner another donation. RobertDIY is priceless resource, and I don't mind saying that I both trust him and even depend upon him to make me able keep my Volvos running reliably and well.

Post by **jreed** » 05 May 2021, 05:49

I agree. He's also a good source for those of us who are looking for hard to find parts from the junkyard.

Post by **erikv11** » 05 May 2021, 08:11

For the record I've always taken the P80 radiator out the top.

Different people have different experiences and doing something once doesn't mean we've experienced all the possible outcomes. That's one of the reasons we have a forum!

Post by **matthew1** » 05 May 2021, 08:18

I went top and had no trouble.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 05 May 2021, 08:35

As I say around non Volvo drivers - some like Chevy and some like Ford. Everyone has their own preferences.

volvolugnut

Post by **Eddystone** » 05 May 2021, 09:04

erikv11 wrote: ↑05 May 2021, 08:11 For the record I've always taken the P80 radiator out the top.

Different people have different experiences and doing something once doesn't mean we've experienced all the possible outcomes. That's one of the reasons we have a forum!

Try it on a throttle body turbo car like a 1999.

Post by **Eddystone** » 05 May 2021, 09:10

I'll respond to my own post. Yes, I'm bitching, here.

Who can tell me what the official Volvo service directions are for replacement of a radiator ins a 1998 V70 turbo and a 1999 S70 turbo (mine is a T5, but any turbo will do)?

Note that the radiator is bolted to the frame of the car from the bottom and drawn upwards to the mounting points by bolts inserted from the bottom. The radiator does not sit on top of the mounting points. It sits BELOW the mounting points, and to remove it from the top you need to move it to the rear about 1.5" to clear the mounts. Everything points toward taking it out from the bottom.

My throttle body car has a rigid pipe going from the intercooler to the throttle body that cannot simply be rotated away or bent. Later cars use completely different couplings for the transmission coolant lines. I had all of the correct parts on hand, but it would benefit the video watcher to be advised of this.

I think we should all be aware that if all we have worked on are 850s. the procedures are not one size fits all. The older the car is, the simpler the car is, and the easier it is to service. Some blanket statements about solving problems in P80s based upon early cars are WAY off for later cars, and are stated as authoritative with no indication on the part of the poster that they may be true for only certain models. A classic for that are issues dealing with evaporative emissions from the gas tank. There are about four different configurations where the hoses, tubes and routing are quite different.

I'm really not complaining about the posts here at Matthew's Site. I am talking about FCP Euro who are TOTALLY aware of all the specific year and model variations and could be kind enough to point out the differences and potential issues. They don't. Their videos are well intentioned in addition to being sales tools (Look how easy this is, guys. Buy our parts.), but they often skip the difficult parts and don't specify that they are using specialized tools for some things.

I don't mind taking on a difficult, complicated and time-consuming job, but show me the whole job and warn me about variations and pitfalls, please.

Thankfully, we have Robert for that.

Post by **matthew1** » 05 May 2021, 09:17

Eddystone wrote: ↑04 May 2021, 23:02 However, their online videos are, in my opinion misleading for us DIY shadetree mechanics. They make every job look like a piece of cake whether it is or not.

They have a pro-level service bay with all the tools, and some of them are techs... and enough new parts to fill a few swimming pools

. A clean, spacious environment with a lift is enough on its own to make one a better shadetree mechanic.

Eddystone wrote: ↑04 May 2021, 23:02 From now on, I will never again research a job I am about to do without looking to see if Robert has produced a video about it.

I looked on YT for a video on how to adjust my shower tap about two years ago. Lo and behold, the one I chose from the top was... drumroll... RobertDIY.

He just moved from Albuquerque to Cincinnati.

Post by **Eddystone** » 05 May 2021, 10:07

matthew1 wrote: ↑05 May 2021, 09:17
I looked on YT for a video on how to adjust my shower tap about two years ago. Lo and behold, the one I chose from the top was... drumroll... RobertDIY.

He just moved from Albuquerque to Cincinnati.

I've just moved to a place about 25 miles west of Cleveland, so maybe I can hook up with Robert someday. Of course, Cincinnati is not right around the block from Lake Erie. I finally have a 2.5 car garage and an ample driveway after being without both for the last 12 years. I pm'd Robert with my contact info. So far, Ohio seems like its a vintage Volvo desert.

Post by **abscate** » 05 May 2021, 11:19

We are still going to PM you when we are near PHL

Good news about Robert being closer to us here in the NE!!