1996 850R: an advice about oil cooler hoses and their clamps

B234R · Post by **B234R** » 07 Jun 2015, 10:30

So, last summer my radiator developed a leak, and my mechanic replace it with a new one from Nissens (it seems a good quality item). The radiator included four new clamps for the oil cooler hoses and gearbox fluid hoses, but for any reason those clamps were lost in the workshop and my mechanic reused the old ones, reforced with zip ties. Until now, no problem.

But...a few days ago, I started the car, and when I was getting out of the parking spot, I see the oil pressure light on...I switch off the car, get out...and see a huge oil poodle on the floor...you guessed it, one of the old, reused clamps that connected an oil hose broke. Almost all the engine oil was dumped.

I pushed the car to the parking spot again and ordered new clumps at the Volvo dealer. Installing them was relatively easy.

Some lessons learned:

-There are parts you always have to discard them
-I was VERY lucky it happened at a very low speed, where I could switch off the engine almost inmediately. In the highway, at speed, or in a traffic jam where you can´t get to the hard shoulder fast enough, your engine can be toasted
-Check your oil pressure light in the dash cluster works properly...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Jun 2015, 15:29

Good working reacting that quickly! The oil light coming on often might as well be the "change engine" light.

I absolutely love the color of your car. I've never seen an 850R in that color.

...Lee

pdx_quack · Post by **pdx_quack** » 08 Jun 2015, 10:30

Scary, I just bought a rebuilder 850r with those clamps held together with zip ties just like you described! I laughed about it and planned to replace those clamps when I rebuild the head in a few weeks. I'm glad I made it home with the car, and I'm glad you were able to get off the road quickly!

Also, I 2nd Lee's comment, that looks bad ass!

B234R · Post by **B234R** » 08 Jun 2015, 11:25

Thanks, Ozark Lee. I love the color, too. I remember to see a picture of a R when new in the same color in a car magazine, but I´ve never seen another in the flesh. It´s strange, but I think it suits the car perfectly.

Oddly enough, my own car was a Volvo España press car, and back in December 1995 it was featured in Spain´s leading car magazine, "Autopista".

Post by **cn90** » 08 Jun 2015, 12:06

Actually, it is safe to re-use the metal clips holding the cooler lines to radiator.
This is true for both engine oil and ATF lines.

The mistake most people makes is that: they flip the clip around. This clip only fits one way!
I posted some photos in forum with screw-type clamp to hold the clips in place.

PS: Barcelona is beautiful!

B234R · Post by **B234R** » 09 Jun 2015, 14:44

cn90 wrote:Actually, it is safe to re-use the metal clips holding the cooler lines to radiator.
This is true for both engine oil and ATF lines.

The mistake most people makes is that: they flip the clip around. This clip only fits one way!
I posted some photos in forum with screw-type clamp to hold the clips in place.

PS: Barcelona is beautiful!

Oppsss...I´m going to take a look, just to be safe I´m installed the clips the right way...thanks!

Yes, Barcelona is a beautiful and amusing city. I´m from Sevilla, in the south.

Post by **j-dawg** » 09 Jun 2015, 21:10

In the USA we had a car named after your city!

It was terrible. On behalf of my countrymen, I apologize for the insult.

B234R · Post by **B234R** » 10 Jun 2015, 12:13

j-dawg wrote:In the USA we had a car named after your city!

It was terrible. On behalf of my countrymen, I apologize for the insult.

Well, when I was a child I was rather proud that Cadillac named its top of the range model "Seville"...
It could be worse. I could live in "Cimarron"