2000 V70 2.4 base mk1

[Jasoncoleiro]

Hello

So my lovely volvo is bursting the hose pipes because they were old. It started with the expansion tank ones which i changed both and i even changed the expansion tank including the cap.
Today i had another leak and it was a metal pipe piece on the right that connects the pipe to the radiator. All ok until one hour later a small pipe on top of it broke also . It broke because it was old and it was tied by some strange clips ( not jubilee clips). It literally fell apart in pieces and radiator water was gushing out.
My question is what is the use for this pipe and can i use a piece of new radiatior hose to replace it ?
Thanks
My car is a mk1 volvo v70 base non turbo 168bhp.

[scot850]

Pictures are always helpful as we can more easily see what you are talking about and asking for help on.

I think you are asking about the hose from the RHS of the radiator (looking from the driver's seat) that runs to the top of the coolant header tank. If that is the case, then it is an overflow pipe.

Has the car been sitting for a long time before you started working on it? It is unusual for that many pipes to break unless they are all dry rotted from sitting. If the car has been sitting for a long time, the thermostat may have stuck shut which will pressurize the cooling system.
The other think may be you have a lot of air trapped in the cooling system each time you fill it.

I find the best way to fill the system it to raise the front 2 wheels off the ground maybe 15cm or so. Then slowly pour the coolant in until it is full. Then start the car with the radiator cap off and let it run until the temperature gauge is at the 3 o'clock (horizontal) position where the thermostat should be open.

I would suggest removing the thermostat and placing it in hot water and see if the thermostat opens.

Is you radiator cooling fan working? It should come on as the coolant heats up, especially if the car is not moving and the engine is up to running temperature. If it does not come on then the relay may have failed, or the wiring connectors to it may had corroded.

The ECT (coolant temperature sensor which is beside the thermostat) may not be working or the connector by the back of the power steering pump my be corroded.

If all your coolant pipes are that bad then I would replace as many as you can easily get to and plan for the rest.

Now as to the question on what hose to use, assuming we are talking about the radiator to coolant tank, then a generic coolant hose can be used. If the connectors are crimped, then likely they are Oetiker clamps which are designed to clamp evenly. You can use small hose clams, but you may get slight leaks. e careful not to over tighten them as you can crack the plastic!

Good Luck!

Neil.

[abscate]

Malta is LHS driving so make sure you reference to car right and left, not driver/passenger side