2005 S60 Coolant Reservoir Leak

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 16 Aug 2020, 11:33

Its been awhile since posting on the site but I still have my 2005 S60 in which I maintained myself throughout these years.

But now I'm looking to solve one more problem which is a coolant leak. Let me just start that its not the water pump.

The leak is from the reservoir area. I replace the cap, the reservoir itself and the hose leading from it, the one on the bottom.

When it heats up I've noticed a leak from the small hose on top which I thought was the overflow tube. But the coolant was not being released from the reservoir but was being put into the reservoir. I hope that made sense. I tightened the small clamp and seemed to stop the leak for now.

But is it normal for the coolant to be entering the reservoir or is there an underlying issue with something else like the radiator being unable to cool off. The temp gauge shows a normal reading and never gets hot.

Thanks for any input!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Aug 2020, 13:02

Coolant systems are pressurized to raise the boiling point.

Water expands when heated. It needs someplace to go and keep in reserve. That place is the reservoir ... hence the name.

Post by **oragex** » 16 Aug 2020, 16:46

I'm not sure how the system works, but same on mine (non turbo), the small hose does seem to be returning flow to the reservoir - although not continuously. Maybe it also works as an overflow. Usually it has a small Oeticker clamp, but I found too that type tends to leak, so found a special clamp with a small bolt at the junkyard and it has been fine since.

Post by **kallekula** » 16 Aug 2020, 18:53

if you're lucky it's only the hose that's gotten a bit soft and you can get away by cutting the bad piece off otherwise buy anew coolant bottle. not a big investment.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Aug 2020, 19:13

kallekula wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 18:53 if you're lucky it's only the hose that's gotten a bit soft and you can get away by cutting the bad piece off otherwise buy anew coolant bottle. not a big investment.

+1 I just replaced the tank on the 03 S80 T6 and that hose was leaking even though it was tight. Cut the worn end / tip off reattached and it is on longer leaking.

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Post by **kallekula** » 16 Aug 2020, 19:18

MoVolvos wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 19:13
kallekula wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 18:53 if you're lucky it's only the hose that's gotten a bit soft and you can get away by cutting the bad piece off otherwise buy anew coolant bottle. not a big investment.
+1 I just replaced the tank on the 03 S80 T6 and that hose was leaking even though it was tight. Cut the worn end / tip off reattached and it is on longer leaking.

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A good idea is to replace all hoses at once. Preventative important maintenance. Just did it on my S70 ans it wasn't expensive and there aren't very many to replace.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Aug 2020, 19:26

537playing wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 11:33
When it heats up I've noticed a leak from the small hose on top which I thought was the overflow tube. But the coolant was not being released from the reservoir but was being put into the reservoir. I hope that made sense. I tightened the small clamp and seemed to stop the leak for now.

But is it normal for the coolant to be entering the reservoir or is there an underlying issue with something else like the radiator being unable to cool off. The temp gauge shows a normal reading and never gets hot.

Thanks for any input!

Volvo's have the Expansion Tank rather than the Overflow Reservoir. With the Overflow when the pressure gets to a certain point the cap will release the pressure and dump coolant into the Reservoir / holding tank which is not under pressure. The Expansion Tank like the PCV is part of the engine internal in terms of pressure. It may also like the PCV takes in the over pressure or fluid circulating it through Expansion Tank. There should be a steady flow.

Lastly, it may act as an air bleed to rid of air in the system, regardless it's normal.

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Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Aug 2020, 19:29

kallekula wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 19:18
MoVolvos wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 19:13
kallekula wrote: ↑16 Aug 2020, 18:53 if you're lucky it's only the hose that's gotten a bit soft and you can get away by cutting the bad piece off otherwise buy anew coolant bottle. not a big investment.
+1 I just replaced the tank on the 03 S80 T6 and that hose was leaking even though it was tight. Cut the worn end / tip off reattached and it is on longer leaking.

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A good idea is to replace all hoses at once. Preventative important maintenance. Just did it on my S70 ans it wasn't expensive and there aren't very many to replace.

Just received the upper, lower hoses from FCP besides the large rubber Turbo intake hose. Will check to see what other rubber hoses are in the system and do likewise.

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