1996 850 glt wagon new radiator + transmission issue?

[Jvkeup]

If the fluid has no evidence of coolant then I doubt the radiator is breached (broken). I suppose it could be an aftermarket radiator of very poor design or quality that does not cool well, hence the trouble when it heats up? Do you know what brand the radiator is? I'd ask the shop that.

Even though I doubt it is the fluid, I will agree with MoVolvos that changing the fluid is a lot cheaper than a new transmission, so maybe worth it as a relatively cheap test.

The mechanic said its an OEM radiator

[MoVolvos]

Hi Jvkeup,

I think the question at this point is whether you can do some of the leg work yourself or you have to pay a mechanic for everything?

1) Radiator - Pressure Test
2) Drain & Fill and perhaps putting in an additive
3) Eliminates 1) & 2). Bypass Radiator w/ Trans-cooler and flush with a quality synthetic fluid.

If you only do 1 you are left with 2 which still needs to be done.

If you do 3 you can use the cooler even if you had to change the transmission.

[MoVolvos]

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If you do 3) in the above post you eliminate the question of a bad or potentially leaking radiator for now. You'll have clean fluid in the entire system. Running like a dream for 2 months is actually pretty long so there could be hope that it is just fluid.

[Jvkeup]

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If you do 3) in the above post you eliminate the question of a bad or potentially leaking radiator for now. You'll have clean fluid in the entire system. Running like a dream for 2 months is actually pretty long so there could be hope that it is just fluid.

Thanks for all the info!! I try to do my own work when I can tackle it, although i do not have the means to test a radiator so I request that my mechanic go over it and test it. I will be reporting back as soon as I get info. How much would a transcooler and install run? I just really hope to resolve this issue being as I don’t think it’s worth dumping this car after putting $2900 into the past few months, I really enjoy driving it

[MoVolvos]

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Your options:
1) See if your big box car parts store can loan a radiator tester for your Volvo.
2) If not have your mechanic check
3) If results are good just do a drain a fill
4) If there is improvement and depending on your budget
5) Flush
6) Flush with Cooler
7) Due to the investment of almost $3K, I would opt for 6) Flush with Cooler if the drain and fill has good results

[erikv11]

The mechanic saying "OEM radiator" doesn't tell you much of anything, for the record. You need to know what brand it is.

Why test the radiator?? What are you testing for? It's clearly not leaking coolant into the trans, you would see that in the fluid. The only way the rad is suspect is, if the trans cooler part is somehow working poorly. The "number 3" treatment would indeed address that.

[MoVolvos]

The mechanic saying "OEM radiator" doesn't tell you much of anything, for the record. You need to know what brand it is.

Why test the radiator?? What are you testing for? It's clearly not leaking coolant into the trans, you would see that in the fluid. The only way the rad is suspect is, if the trans cooler part is somehow working poorly. The "number 3" treatment would indeed address that.

Although Jvkeup said nothing milky was in the radiator before it was towed the radiator was changed. As you mentioned the Transmission Cooler portion could have some blockage? In order to fully satisfy all these questions just eliminate the radiator all together. If that still doesn't work the set up will be ready for the new used transmission.

So take it one at a time or just D)

A) Test Radiator
B) Test the flow of the transmission cooler in radiator
C) Drain & Fill if both are okay
D) Forget A), B), C). Bypass the radiator with a Transmission Cooler and do a full flush with a quality fluid

I apologize Jvkeup but I have no ball park on the cost to install a cooler.