low coolant light

whaleplane · Post by **whaleplane** » 04 Jan 2011, 11:20

Hey guys,

My low coolant light came on this morning and low and behold the coolant is low. I've done a little research and I've found that prestone extended life 5/150 is compatible with volvo. I guess the radiator is aluminum and needs special coolant. My question is can I add it directly to the coolant reservoir and mix with the existing coolant. Or do I need to drain it and refill? If it needs to be drained how do I do that?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Post by **JRL** » 04 Jan 2011, 13:08

Top it up for now (cold engine and yes, you can mix as sometime real soon you may need to drain it all anyway), fill through the plastic tank and monitor it
There is obviously a reason why your coolant is low. You probably have developed a small leak somewhere and you want to find
it before it becomes a LARGE leak!

Volvo radiators are known to crack and develop leaks when they get older and you may need to replace it (soon), but before you do that you need to get the system pressure tested, you may just have a small hose leak somewhere and it will show up with a pressure test

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 04 Jan 2011, 15:38

+1

The prestone is fine. Just make sure it is 50/50 mixed and not the straight coolant you use when you are doing a flush and refill.

whaleplane · Post by **whaleplane** » 04 Jan 2011, 20:12

Thanks for the help. I've got it topped off and am checking for leaks. I'm hoping it was just low and maybe didn't get caught on my last oil change. You can always hope....

Post by **JRL** » 04 Jan 2011, 21:24

The system does not get low for no reason
You have a leak somewhere, either in the cooling system under the hood or your heater core
Smell anything funny?

whaleplane · Post by **whaleplane** » 06 Jan 2011, 16:55

No funny smell and I'm now paying attention to the level. So far so good. It's due for an oil change so I'll ask my guy what he thinks.