Anyone found the answer yet?

[Baffler]

Colnet, was the thermostat replaced recently? If so was it a genuine Volvo part?

[colnet]

Hello baffler, yes and yes.

[dingov70]

960 a vacuum would not leave the header empty , pressure forces fluid out , simple fact

i am a diagnostic tech NVQ level3 Blah blah blah / MOT tester Etc Etc Etc & doing this stuff for 40 years

SO ! expanding hoses will allow the migration of fluid from the header tank until the pressure is released . Silicone Hoses are costly BUT I have never had one fail EVER . I used Silicone Hoses on my BDG powered MK2 Escort , until a tree got in the way with it's friends . NO coolant loss , no strange up & down fluid levels .

Been there , done it , paid a fortune & know it works . Everyone please start with the glaringly obvious & then work your way towards Alien intervention

Off to put on my aluminium foil hat on , to stops them reading my mind

[colnet]

Hello Dingov70, I am at the moment leaning towards expanding hoses as you say, today I ran the car till warmed up and on tick over released both ends of the top hose jubilee clips (1 at a time) as recommended and only coolant came out, could not hear any air, will know in the next few days if this changes anything, so far have changed top, bottom hoses and hose coming off the expansion tank to the engine, I would like to know how many more coolant hoses their are? Especially as it's a turbo and I think the turbo is also water cooled.

[960kg]

Originally Posted by dingov70

960 a vacuum would not leave the header empty , pressure forces fluid out , simple fact

Not when it is Cold and has Cooled which is what the OP is talking about

i am a diagnostic tech NVQ level3 Blah blah blah / MOT tester Etc Etc Etc & doing this stuff for 40 years

NVQ is not up to the level of City & Guilds?

.......

[colnet]

Update
Tried all the various tricks mentioned and the car is doing exactly the same. Just have to live with opening the bonnet 2 or 3 times a week to check which isnt to sad especially as the car is 19 yrs old, thanks for everyone's input.

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by colnet

so far have changed top, bottom hoses and hose coming off the expansion tank to the engine, I would like to know how many more coolant hoses their are? Especially as it's a turbo and I think the turbo is also water cooled.

There's a metal pipe running along the back of the engine and, if I remember correctly, is where the matrix takes its feed from. It's obscured by some of the intake components and coolant can leak from here and collect on top of the gearbox. If you suspect it's leaking you need to check the mating surface of the metal pipe and remove any scale/lime deposits from the pipe as this prevents the rubber hose mating correctly to the metal.

There is also a metal pipe running along/under the OS chassis leg and these have been known to corrode from below.

Originally Posted by colnet

Update
Tried all the various tricks mentioned and the car is doing exactly the same. Just have to live with opening the bonnet 2 or 3 times a week to check which isnt to sad especially as the car is 19 yrs old, thanks for everyone's input.

Probably best to carry out another pressure test on the cooling system whilst keeping a close eye on your radiator and all joins/unions around the system.