'01 V70 Coolant Debacle

[cham]

Hey everyone,
New here and enjoyed learning from other forum posts so naturally this seems like the best place for this sort of question. I decided to swap the thermostat on the P2 and drained the coolant. Turns out to be a darker-shade Green coolant, not green-yellowish. My original plan was to drain the radiator, and replace whatever came out with some fresh Zerex G48 (blue). The more I looked into it, even though FCP claims Volvo Green and Blue are mixable, it seems like this is not a recommended protocol if preventable. Not to mention the green coolant in the car is unknown. The last mechanic to touch the cooling system (replaced water pump) claims to have just topped up with aftermarket compatible coolant. All things considered the coolant looked to be in good condition.

I for the life of me cannot find any darker GREEN aftermarket Volvo compatible coolant that exists for this model unless its the new factory Volvo Green coolant P/N:32339856. As I understand it, the new Volvo coolant is also unlike any other past HOAT and OAT green coolants. What is likely in there?

[abscate]

With a new-to-you car, its good to start at Stage 0 and run all the old coolant out with water, and replace with fresh Volvo stuff. With a car with a bad radiator, someone has probably been topping it off with all kinds of stuff available at inopportune times.

A jug of Volvo from FCP will cost you $20 and you get to get free replacements every 3 years, too

[cham]

Timing-Belt/Water-pump swap was also done a couple years ago by that shop so it makes sense to just go ahead and flush. There's no telling how old the coolant that remained in there is. This is my sisters car so it's is not new-to-us but she does not pay attention to maintenance, flush seems to be the optimal decision.

I've always been wary of aggressive flushes, I'd hate to spring a leak. Any techniques to have a little more finesse with it? It sounds like that coolant bleed valve on the rear of the block can snap off sometimes. Will Zerex G48 be acceptable? I know the last generation of Volvo coolant was blue, I imagine the Zerex formula copies that version.

[abscate]

Those bleeders are really high quality and I have never broken one, but I dont go under to flush coolant.

Drop the air guide, remove the lower radiator hose and dump the old coolant. Now put a garden hose into the reservoir and idle the engine for 15 minutes with the hose slightly overflowing the coolant reservoir to get out all the coolant. Dont leave the car while you do this, you dont want the hose to slip out and ruin your engine. You can just push the lower hose back on and dump it every once in a while during the flush, then reclamp it at the end! I use oetikers there, so I slip a new one there before I push the hose back on.

Good time to wash and wax your car!

[cham]

Interesting method, cheers for that man! Is it a big deal to fill her with 50/50 premix at the end, I know there will likely be a liter or two of water left in the block after the last drain. Will that throw of the ratio too much?

[abscate]

Sorry, left that out. I have found with both the P80 and P2 platforms if you flush, then dump the water, it will leave about 5 liters of space for a jug of coolant concentrate. That will take you pretty close to the 50-50 mix, which is fine for any of the 48 States. Canada and Alaska might run a bit stronger mix for those cold places.

You will find internet traffic that you have to use distilled water for mix, this is only true if your water is pathologically hard. If it is any kind of municipal water, it is fine. If you have a water softener in your house or massive build up of scale on taps, then use distilled, and flush through 4 gallons or so.

[cham]

Good deal; I think I'll be using Zerex because FCP recommends it as the only other option to the Volvo Green stuff for my model. It's also easily accessible. Do you have any reservations to that? There's always the debate about best formula for engine type etc. It's an all aluminum engine hence the low silicates, but some people claim older cars with older style of gaskets degrade with newer coolant formulas. I think they are more referring to pre-2000 era though.

[Krons]

Interesting method, cheers for that man! Is it a big deal to fill her with 50/50 premix at the end, I know there will likely be a liter or two of water left in the block after the last drain. Will that throw of the ratio too much?

Someone do a final flush with distilled water, then add concentrated coolant to 50-50 based on what the total capacity is.

[cn90]

I have used Green Prestone in my Volvos and BMWs for 30 yrs. Zero issues.

[cham]

I have used Green Prestone in my Volvos and BMWs for 30 yrs. Zero issues.

Hey you got that part number? This is likely what that shop used. I have not been able to find any Green aftermarket coolant.