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'90 740 Turbo - oil in the coolant reservoir

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on all Volvo's "mid era" rear wheel drive Volvos.

1975 - 1993 240
1983 - 1992 740
1982 - 1991 760
1986 - 1991 780
1990 - 1998 940
1990 - 1998 960
1997 - 1998 V90/S90

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1990_740Turbo
Posts: 21
Joined: 3 April 2007
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'90 740 Turbo - oil in the coolant reservoir

Post by 1990_740Turbo »

I just picked up a '90 740 Turbo from a friend of mine. It's always ran/driven excellently. Always starts right up, smooth idle, never runs hot, etc.

I was digging around in it today, doing some general tidying up and removed the coolant reservoir cap, and to my horror it's filled with oil.

For what its worth, there is NO coolant in the oil, inside the motor. It's the other way around- there is oil in the coolant. I have no reason to believe the head gasket is gone on it.
My best guess is, the jackass I bought it from put oil IN the coolant reservoir.

I'm having it flushed this weekend, and I'll see if the oil comes back.

Is there any way the head gasket could be leaking, but no coolant is getting into the oil, etc ? I'm just really not sold on the fact that the head gasket could be blown.

sseir39
Posts: 238
Joined: 15 September 2007
Year and Model:
Location: Temple, TX

Post by sseir39 »

Check the transmission. The transmission oil cooler can let go inside the radiator (had one do it). Is the oil somewhat pinkish? Also look at your transmission fluid. If this is it, a new radiator is required along with a transmission flluid flush.

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