Expansion Tank replacement on 98 C70 coupe

downtownbun · Post by **downtownbun** » 12 Aug 2011, 09:43

Hi-

I need to replace the expansion tank and corresponding hoses (except the top radiator hose) on my 1998 Volvo C70 2.3 ltr coupe. Seems simple right...well here is a little background. I welcome (need) all relevant and polite advice.

I live in a highrise downtown (no shade tree to work under), I am a girl, and I have little experience with car repair (other than paying the bill). I have been taking my car to a shop that has been gouging me on either parts or labor to repair my car. Now that money it tight I am watching every penny. The most recent experience involved the car coolant light coming on. I took it to the shop, they said it was the radiator and it would be $500 in parts. I looked it up online and it was more like $150. I have no problem with the shop marking up the price but 300% is gouging. I mentioned the price I found and they changed their tune to a more reasonable part price, but then charged me $400 in labor (indicating that it was hard to get to my radiator). So after paying $700+ to repair my radiator one would think that the problem was resolved...well it is not. I am having to add water to the radiator everyday to keep it from overheating. I took the car back to the shop and they give me one reason or another as to why the car is still losing coolant...heater core, expansion tank. Again I get the price on the expansion tank and they quote me $150 for something I can buy online for $16 to $40.

I have decided that I am going to replace the expansion tank in my garage. My question is to all the experts out there...Does anyone know where I can find step by step instructions on how to do it? I have looked into buying the VADIS on ebay, but it doesn't run on 64 bit Windows 7 and that is all I got and I don't really need the Volvo repair encyclopedia. I found a YouTube video on how to replace my headlights which was very helpful when I needed to change one of mine out. So, can anyone offer a girl a little help?

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Aug 2011, 09:55

I'm changing mine out this weekend. It's not a hard procedure at all - just please don't order the aftermarket crappy one. I ordered a genuine Volvo one, and they sent me the aftermarket version. Mine broke in 3 months.

I'll be glad to take some pictures for ya and post them up here - I'll probably get around to it Saturday.

downtownbun · Post by **downtownbun** » 12 Aug 2011, 10:16

jblackburn, thank you very much. Yes. I would love some pictures. I am going to change it to be on the safe side since it is 13 years old.

Want to add, I just got off the phone with John Brederson-Master Volvo Mechanic of http://www.volvohelp.com/. He consults on the phone as long as you call him in MA 508-399-5578. He also works on Volvos if you are in the area. He told me that replacing the expansion tank is not that difficult and I should have no problems. He also mentioned it might be the coolant hose to the turbo.

He was the greatest! After asking me a series of questions, he knew exactly what was wrong. Turns out that it is probably my heater core, since the carpet on the inside is soaked. I am so glad there are people out there like you jblackburn and Mr. Brederson. Thank you for all you do.

Now I have to do some research on heater cores.

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Aug 2011, 10:56

The heater core is a simple DIY fix as well (you just need to pick up a set of Torx screwdrivers; not something most people have before owning one of these cars). I had it out and back together with the new one in about 45 minutes.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 7&p=200919

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Aug 2011, 13:41

Ok, as promised (don't know if you still need it or not, but it may help others). I wish I had Photoshop on this computer, but I never got around to putting it on.

This shouldn't take you more than 20 minutes, even if you have no idea what you're doing.

Start by cutting this clip on the upper line (I use cutting pliers like the ones shown here).

Take that upper line and place it over a bucket. Lift the tank itself directly up off its mounting point off the fender, unclip the sensor line from the side of it and hold it up in the air as far as it will let you; the remaining coolant in that tank will drain through the small line into the bucket.

: I tried clamping it at first, but it wouldn't shut off flow. So it holds itself over the bucket! I'm an accidental genius =)

Once all the coolant has drained, unscrew the hose from the bottom and remove the little float sensor from the tank.

Replace those into the new tank, bolt it back up, and fill with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water. As you can see here, I used a small screw-type clamp to replace the one I cut off. You can find them at any auto parts store for like $1 for a pack of a few of them.

: New tank installed

IceTurbo · Post by **IceTurbo** » 18 Aug 2011, 11:06

Thanks for the tuitorial, I just replaced mine yesterday, it's a pretty easy thing to do.

Are you using a coolant that is safe for aluminum engines? Mine is a mint-green color, similar to mountain dew, I believe anything else will eat away at your engine and might eventually crack the block.

Post by **jblackburn** » 18 Aug 2011, 12:01

That's Zerex. It's a HOAT-certified coolant that's what's called for in these engines.

It does look like straight piss in a bucket though

Post by **vjaneczko** » 18 Aug 2011, 12:16

wait; you mean that piss is NOT a recommended alternative to antifreeze?! 'cause I'm topping that thing off all the time when I'm on the road with a big cup of coffee...

evegreen · Post by **evegreen** » 28 Nov 2011, 10:43

I have the 1999 V70 XC turbo how do you get the level(float) sensor off, I have a leak and after changing hoses to no avail found the leak was coming from where the sensor enters the tank so I'm trying to change it.

Eve

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Nov 2011, 10:51

Should just pull out with a pair of pliers.