1995 940t wagon Oil help and coolant question

earlfleetwood · Post by **earlfleetwood** » 06 Oct 2014, 15:27

I recently bought a 1995 940T wagon. I noticed that when I got it the oil seemed a little over full. I just changed the oil and I swear I have it perfect with the top line, now it seems a little too full again. I am losing antifreeze, but I just noticed that I am leaking from the thermostat housing, so I have to deal with that. Thoughts on what I just said?
Real two questions have: I live near Buffalo NY, so I need an oil that can take extremes. I just put Mobile 1 synthetic 0W40 in. Is this a bad choice?
Also, the car has red coolant in it. I need to top it off. Some people say there never was a red Volvo coolant, some say there was????
Thanks for the help.

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 06 Oct 2014, 18:06

If your oil level is growing you have a problem, either fuel or coolant.

Post by **JDS60R** » 06 Oct 2014, 18:32

Send some pics of the oil level now and what the oil looks like. If you have a leaking injector , a failing coolant seal ( head gasket) or a bad radiator ( if its your oil cooler as well) the level will rise.

Please post a pic so we can see how high and what it looks like. If it smell like anything other than oil please let us know as well.

earlfleetwood · Post by **earlfleetwood** » 06 Oct 2014, 21:48

The level is just above the hatch marks. Looks nice and clean and just smells of oil. I'm going to be watching it and see, I suppose it could be dragging a little up the dipstick. My main concern at this point was the 0w40 a poor choice for oil? And did volvo ever make antifreeze that was red? I need to fix the leak at the thermostat housing and top it off, but not sure what's in it, volvo coolant, dexcool??

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 06 Oct 2014, 22:00

The green antifreeze is good for iron block and aluminum head. Apparently the red antifreeze is Dex-Cool and is recommended for any car with an aluminum radiator. Dex-cool shouldn't be mixed with the green stuff. The 0W-40 should be okay for cold weather.

Post by **JDS60R** » 07 Oct 2014, 00:43

You should be fine. I think I would have used a 10-40 but once it heats up its a 40 so no big deal. Sythetics have better characteristics anyway so thats a plus. The original dexcool was bad but you haven't been able to buy the original formulation since it wrecked the original cooling systems on GM cars. Prestones Dex-cool is a standard OAT coolant and has no silicates. If the cars has only the modern dexcool and distilled water it will be fine - if its mied with 15% or more of Volvo coolant (HOAT blue) you have an issue.

That block will work fine on either as long as they are not mixed.

The HOAT actually handles the job better under extreme conditions. If you are modding up then consider it.

In my opinion , I like the Volvo coolant. Mix it with distilled water and everyone is happy. If you do switch (not necessary in your case). Then flush out the entire system with a few gallons of distilled water from the supermarket. I think they are about 88 cents a gallon at my local.

earlfleetwood · Post by **earlfleetwood** » 07 Oct 2014, 18:18

OK, I contacted the old owner and he used Chevron Delo antifreeze in the car. He said I can mix any kind with it, I don't believe that. Any advise as to what type I can mix with it. This stuff is read, and usually used in heavy duty diesel trucks?!!!! Any suggestions????

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 07 Oct 2014, 20:09

Delo Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze is single phase, ethylene glycol based and is compatible with other coolant formulations and supplemental coolant additives.

Post by **JDS60R** » 07 Oct 2014, 20:34

Be careful -mix with it means less than 10% of the other kind. There are many reported issues of Oats (like Delo) and HOATs being mixed (more than 15%) that have caused issues. You can leave it be or flush it all and go with your preference.

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 07 Oct 2014, 21:28

Delo Extended life Coolant MSDS lists it as red in color with faint odor. It also lists Ethylene Glycol 30-60%, Diethylene Glycol 1-10%, and ingredients determined to be non-hazardous make up the balance. Chevron recommends that this product not be diluted by more than 25% with other coolant formulations. Dilution by more than 25% will reduce extended life properties. It has a 750,000 mile/ 6 year extended life formulation.