Oil in coolant tank

S60D5185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 12:48

Hi
Just checked my 07 d5 and realised the coolant tank looks to be full of engine oil ! There is no sign of mayo, just black oily coolant no sign of water on the dip stick or oil cap. The car starts and drives without issue other than the temperature gauge doesn’t get up to temperature as it should (suspect the thermostat has failed open). After a quick search I noticed a few posts on oil cooler leaks, could this be the case here and difficult is it to sort ?
Many thanks

S60D5-185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 12:54

If yours is a geartronic then it is possible that the transmission cooler in the radiator has failed.

IF this is the case

You must get this sorted immediately as you now have coolant mixed with trans fluid in the gearbox as well as the engine cooling system.

You will need to fit a new radiator with combined oil cooler

The gearbox fluid will need to be changed fully

The cooling system will need to be flushed and cleaned to remove as much oil as possible and you may well need a new coolant bottle as cleaning the old one will be very difficult.
Many advocate changing the coolant hoses as well because the oil causes them to rot from inside out over time

S60D5185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 13:06

Hi
Yes its an auto. Where is the transmission cooler, in the water radiator ?
Thanks

S60D5-185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 13:25

Yes, if you look to the top right of the radiator ( when stood in front of it ) you will see a small hose entering it from the gearbox. This is the oil cooler.

Stephen2015 · Apr 1st, 2018, 13:27

This happen to my car a few years back, I would check your engine oil cooler which is bolted along side of the engine sump back end of engine.

Stephen2015 · Apr 1st, 2018, 13:32

This is how I tested.
Just to keep you updated, after hearing from Clan & Jetmech and other members, I then re-tested the oil cooler.

This is what I did.
Removed the inlet & outlet cooling pipe of the cooler and connected with a coupler so this was by passing the oil cooler.
Then run 2 hoses from the oil cooler connecters down to a container.
Run engine about 1800 Revs till engine started to reach temperature.
After engine been running for about 10 mins oil drips started to emerge into container.
Bought a new oil cooler everything all ok.
Know oil pressure is about 95 to 97psi so trying with compress air was a waste of time.
I'm sure if Clan & Jetmech have not said anything I would have started to remove the cy-head.

S60 running lovely have done about 1000 miles so my S60 has now cover 215,000 miles.

Many thanks for your help

Since then now cover another 25,000 miles all ok.

Stephen2015 · Apr 1st, 2018, 13:41

This is where I started with the help of forum members.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=226903

S60D5185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 14:18

Thanks for the replies 👍
Is there a way to eliminate the gearbox cooler, ie gearbox dipstick etc ?

Stephen2015 · Apr 1st, 2018, 16:10

Reading what you first put:

just checked my 07 d5 and realised the coolant tank looks to be full of engine oil ! There is no sign of mayo, just black oily coolant.

To me that sounds like engine oil getting into coolant tank?

S60D5185 · Apr 1st, 2018, 16:14

Yeah, it’s definitely black so likely engine not gearbox oil.

Apr 1st, 2018, 12:48	#1
S60D5185 Member Last Online: Nov 20th, 2018 17:24 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Barnsley	Oil in coolant tank Hi Just checked my 07 d5 and realised the coolant tank looks to be full of engine oil ! There is no sign of mayo, just black oily coolant no sign of water on the dip stick or oil cap. The car starts and drives without issue other than the temperature gauge doesn’t get up to temperature as it should (suspect the thermostat has failed open). After a quick search I noticed a few posts on oil cooler leaks, could this be the case here and difficult is it to sort ? Many thanks

Apr 1st, 2018, 12:54	#2
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	If yours is a geartronic then it is possible that the transmission cooler in the radiator has failed. IF this is the case You must get this sorted immediately as you now have coolant mixed with trans fluid in the gearbox as well as the engine cooling system. You will need to fit a new radiator with combined oil cooler The gearbox fluid will need to be changed fully The cooling system will need to be flushed and cleaned to remove as much oil as possible and you may well need a new coolant bottle as cleaning the old one will be very difficult. Many advocate changing the coolant hoses as well because the oil causes them to rot from inside out over time __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic Last edited by S60D5-185; Apr 1st, 2018 at 13:49.

Apr 1st, 2018, 13:25	#4
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	Yes, if you look to the top right of the radiator ( when stood in front of it ) you will see a small hose entering it from the gearbox. This is the oil cooler. __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic

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Apr 1st, 2018, 13:06	#3
S60D5185 Member Last Online: Nov 20th, 2018 17:24 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Barnsley	Hi Yes its an auto. Where is the transmission cooler, in the water radiator ? Thanks

Apr 1st, 2018, 13:27	#5
Stephen2015 S60 D5244T4 Last Online: Jul 26th, 2023 17:31 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Norwich	This happen to my car a few years back, I would check your engine oil cooler which is bolted along side of the engine sump back end of engine.

Apr 1st, 2018, 13:32	#6
Stephen2015 S60 D5244T4 Last Online: Jul 26th, 2023 17:31 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Norwich	This is how I tested. Just to keep you updated, after hearing from Clan & Jetmech and other members, I then re-tested the oil cooler. This is what I did. Removed the inlet & outlet cooling pipe of the cooler and connected with a coupler so this was by passing the oil cooler. Then run 2 hoses from the oil cooler connecters down to a container. Run engine about 1800 Revs till engine started to reach temperature. After engine been running for about 10 mins oil drips started to emerge into container. Bought a new oil cooler everything all ok. Know oil pressure is about 95 to 97psi so trying with compress air was a waste of time. I'm sure if Clan & Jetmech have not said anything I would have started to remove the cy-head. S60 running lovely have done about 1000 miles so my S60 has now cover 215,000 miles. Many thanks for your help Since then now cover another 25,000 miles all ok.

Apr 1st, 2018, 13:41	#7
Stephen2015 S60 D5244T4 Last Online: Jul 26th, 2023 17:31 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Norwich	This is where I started with the help of forum members. http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=226903

Apr 1st, 2018, 14:18	#8
S60D5185 Member Last Online: Nov 20th, 2018 17:24 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Barnsley	Thanks for the replies 👍 Is there a way to eliminate the gearbox cooler, ie gearbox dipstick etc ?

Apr 1st, 2018, 16:10	#9
Stephen2015 S60 D5244T4 Last Online: Jul 26th, 2023 17:31 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Norwich	Reading what you first put: just checked my 07 d5 and realised the coolant tank looks to be full of engine oil ! There is no sign of mayo, just black oily coolant. To me that sounds like engine oil getting into coolant tank?

Apr 1st, 2018, 16:14	#10
S60D5185 Member Last Online: Nov 20th, 2018 17:24 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Barnsley	Yeah, it’s definitely black so likely engine not gearbox oil.

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