Burning Coolant? 2006 XC-70

[MinutemanCO]

First time poster, long time reader of the site (I own a '94 855 turbo and an '04 V70R). Thanks much for all of your help.

I've got a 2006 XC-70, actually it belongs to someone I work with. It was brought to a dealer mechanic because it appers to be going through a lot of coolant. The mechanic gave a simple diagnosis that XC-70s all burn a lot of coolant. This answer seemed to be a little dubious to me.

Can anyone here either corroborate the mechanic's diagnosis or perhaps give a more accurate assessment of what the problem might be?

Thanks.

[VCA]

The mechanic gave a simple diagnosis that XC-70s all burn a lot of coolant.

How often is your friend topping up the coolant? (i.e. how often does his low coolant light come on?)

The answer that mechanic gave is indeed dubious. Cooling systems are supposed to be sealed systems by design (so they can build up the pressure required to keep the mixture of water and glycol from boiling). If a car is losing coolant, then there's a leak, plain and simple. I would have your friend go back and insist on a pressure test of the cooling system.

[sseir39]

Burning coolant? No! As suggested, leaks somewhere. Even could be a blown head gasket. Check color of oil when pullling the dipstick. When my headgasket went, the color was like peanut buttter. Look for leaks first.

[billofdurham]

If the mechanic has found a way to burn water he should patent it.

Is it not still under warranty? Tell him to take it back and get it sorted.

Bill.