Tricks for finding a coolant leak

[beewstew]

Did a head gasket repair on a 2004 xc70 w/ 2.5t a few months ago. Car seems to be running ok, but has a slow coolant leak. No wet spots under the car when it's parked, and the oil looks fine, but there's a persistent coolant smell (from engine) when you shut the car off, and the expansion tank seems to go dry every 100 miles or so.

So, what's the best way to find a small coolant leak? I'm guessing it might be one of the copper crush washers on the back of the engine, turbo, etc. Is there some sort of UV dye option for coolant like there is for AC systems?

Current best idea is to put the colt car up on stands and then pressure wash the engine, and then drive for a week and look for white deposits from the leak. Seems like a crude approach though.

[Vova585]

I feel like many members here would advocate for pressure testing the system at this time. Some crafty members were able to drill spare coolant cap and install pressurizing port/valve there. Some(me), would be too lazy to do it and would pay dealer/shop 1 hour labor just not to do it. Some, would go to fcp and buy proper adaptor for pressure testing and then rent pressure test kit from Advance or autozone since their kits dont include volvo adaptor.
If you opt to do it by yourself, test it on the stone cold engine and look around in the area where you mentioned already. Can check if your carpets are dry to exclude heater core(or more typical o-ring leak).

[jonesg]

I could smell it, I knew wherte the leak was but white deposit was barely visible.
When the car was hot I saw tiny bubbles coming from the corners of the coolant bottle.
Spraying some dishsoap water showed bigger bubbles.
Try smearing liquid soap around the coolant banjo bolts at the turbo.
Or do the dye and magic glasses.
Or do a block tester dye for combustion gas in the coolant.

[RoyAPhilpot]

If you smell coolant but don't see any leaks, try spraying soapy water around the suspected areas as this will loosen the bubbles and make them more visible.