2000 V70 XC ejecting coolant at return tank

[FLXC90]

Rocket, If you read enough of the threads here, you will see over and over, only OEM caps (Green) only OEM bottles, they last 20 years with regular treatment. You will also see that early whiteblocks can have a leaking head gasket that only pushes combustion gas into coolant. Car will run fine, hold good compression, but use coolant, and occasionally run warm to hot. Also, stay on top of the coolant hoses including the turbo hoses. Whiteblocks are very sensitive to overheating.

[Rocket99]

Thank you FLXC90
how to distinguish Whiteblock for "other block", I have no idea what a whiteblock is
Coolant hoses turbo: you mean intercooler hose also?

Meaning ?? the whiteblocks hold up over time consuming a tolerable amount of coolant, as long as you keep it topped up??

thx

[June]

"White block" is a common term referring to Volvos equipped with a Modular engine. The previous engines "4 cylinder" used in 240, 740, 940 Volvo cars had red paint on the block, so they were dubbed the "red block" engine. The all aluminum block used in the Modular engine series was not painted so the bare aluminum being silver somehow became referred to as the "White Block". Volvo's Modular engine is tough but does not like to overheat. June

[Rocket99]

Thx June.
On the swedespeed site the guy that goes by Scotish Brick seems to think this engine is toast.

this is recent history and immediate plan I posted at Swedespeed
cooling pressure test
1- initially it held zero pressure
2- added new after market cap it held 20 psi immediately drifted down very slowly

- with new cap and prolonged idle retained coolant for the first time
- with short road trips retained coolant normally, cooling fan began to run as before original failure
- on a longer "into town" trip began flashing low coolant light
- with that additional heat the return tank seemed to soften and after market tank cap jumped its threads popped clean off

Now the plan is:
1. check for CO in coolant space , if that is negative
2. install competent OEM return tank and cap
Sounds like marginal engine cooling design zero margin for error? If they are so touchy on cooling the cooling design should be beefed up

You see so many of these modular Volvos posted for sale. Lots of them "needs engine repair" "blown head gasket". A lot of them. That is telling us something.

Sure this is a really nice car when its all working right. My impression is folks need to love them enough to invest quite a bit more than they are worth by resale value to maintain and repair.

I'm this close to buying a rock solid Mercedes 300D turbo diesel. I know those could work on it blindfolded.

they are a solid design without this kind of BS

[erikv11]

Good plan. Tempting to speculate if the engine is or is not toast, I agree it could be bad as what your car is doing is unusual, but more sensible to just test it and go with the facts.

When the white block engines overheat, it is bad news. Fortunately they don't overheat more or less than most cars, the engine cooling is excellent and has similar margins for error as other cars.

In addition to being "normal" with respect to cooling system, mechanically the white block engines are incredibly durable.

That's interesting you are seeing a lot of Volvos for sale around you that need head gasket repairs. But you're better off going with the enormous collective data of say this forum, than with a few anecdotal observations of what you see for sale now in your area.

Other, non-mechanical parts of the car - some electronics, all plastics, are not as uniformly durable and require more or less constant attention these days, that's a definite drawback to these particular 20 year old cars. And they have their knwon weak spots, like ABS modules and fuel pump relays etc. I don't know how that compares to other luxury cars like Mercedes etc. but there are people on this forum who have experience with both. I agree that knowing what you are working on makes it a lot easier.

[misha]

We are going offtopic a bit BUT i must say this...
Mercedes is not that great like most people think.
Rust is their weakest spot.They rust pretty badly without notice...and when it is noticed...there is nothing left of the floor or sills.
E-class,C-class,A-class suffers the most,where S-class have different kind of problems(electrical gremlins,management problems,head problems).

Old ones from '80s and '90s era are the worst when we talk about rust...w123,w124,baby benz (190),but their engines are indestructible.Well...at least petrol ones.

Not to mention that Mercedes was built in China a lot before some other car makes,but that is "public secret" and not well known.

I think that "Chineese" Mercedes had started with E-class (w124,w211) where reputable E-class has reached the bottom.

But...hey....it's Mercedes.

[Rocket99]

ERik
referring to unusual problems, FLXC90 is saying these threads specify OEM coolant tank and cap as the only way to go. Right now its got after market both. That would seem to be the logical reason for so many volvo modulars with engine / head problems. Got an engine design that self descructs due to over heat, give it an over designed cooling.

It seemed strange during the longer into town excursion when it ejected coolant that after market tank got soft from heat and the cap popped nearly clean off.... lost pressure holding capacity. Boiled off coolant.

[Rocket99]

Misha

You are in Europe ... here in warm part of California rust is not nearly as common, though its the fist thing to look for when buying ... road salt isn't used in warmer areas of the state.

These turbo diesel engine are rock solid. 617s. Later ones, 602s I think, had head problems. Once you repair 617 it right its good, no worries. Do have to maintain em. 500K or a million miles does happen if you are diligent with maintenance.

Ive heard these modular Volvo engines hold up . Also can't deny there are tons with head problems. Perhaps with extremely diligent maintenance they do. Do it yourself or pay seriously

When this Volvo bites the dust, hope it doesn't, I'll defaut to W123.

[Rocket99]

Sounds a lot you you guys work on your Volvos. Is burping air out of the system a difficult or critical process after refilling coolant following draining it.?

One guy Scottish Brick on swedespeed says not so much, pour it in, drive a mile or so, then top up.

[misha]

We also have Volvos in Europe....we have them in the family from '70s....not a single one had rust problems.
Every properly maintained and serviced car will be troublefree.