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960 getting hot (still)

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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 06:17   #1
rogerthechorister
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Default 960 getting hot (still)

Well, it's better but it ain't right. My very low mileage 960 still gets worryingly hot when towing uphill at speed. The long hill up towards the A229 on the M2 westbound yesterday got me a bit warm but I was rising to nearly 70 mph.

Replicated on the A289 - my favourite test hill. A Bentley sitting at 67 mph was very surprised to see my Volvo and vardo up his chuff.

So, I've done thermostat and after flushing and backflushing made insufficient difference, replaced the rad (and internal ATF cooler). Autobox is also behaving better when towing now and using the "Sport mode" setting seems a good thing.

Nest stop has to be an auxiliary ATF cooler. Now, (a) where should I put it - I really do not fancy hanging it in front of the rad with cable ties? and (b) how big should it be? and (c) should I bypass the internal ATF cooler completely (to minimise heat getting from autobox into rad) or put it in series with the internal one (so getting most cooling for the autobox)? (c) if the latter, before or after the internal (I fancy before)?
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B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 16:17   #2
Forrest
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Before attempting modifications are you sure the system is operating to original spec? Is it the transmission or the engine that is getting hot or both?

Probably worth having the cooling system pressure tested. A low mileage car might have had coolant changes neglected and be suffering premature HG failure or blocked cooling channels in the engine.

Did you do a complete ATF flush when you replaced the radiator or just a top-up? What state is the fluid in? Does it smell burnt?
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 18:17   #3
rogerthechorister
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Default Gauge?

There is no temperature gauge on the autobox so the only thing I can see is getting hot is the engine. If there is a way to test the autobox temperature I would be glad to know.

The entire cooling system was flushed with something like radflush as step 2 when I started after this problem. Step 1 was change the thermostat which was a bit bent and a funny red colour. Step 3 was reverse flush with a hose. Step 4 was new rad. Each step has brought a slight improvement.

There is no trace of overheating when not towing despite considerable abuse. I am using no water. There is no oil filler cap foaming nor blue smoking and I am using pretty much no oil. So I much doubt whether it is head gasket.

If I had (completely) blocked coolant channels I would have overheating (or a warped block) when hooning it. If it had partly blocked coolant channels flushing with radflush would I would have thought effect major improvement.

The ATF was changed when I bought the car nearly 9 months ago now.

I can't see any option but to go for an ATF cooler - unless - idea occurs to me - the 960 has an autobox computer doesn't it? Can one read the codes in that with the right gadget? I know the not-quite-OBD2 stuff in the 940s does not let you do that but 960 could be different.

I gather from my previous thread that it is very normal for 960s in hot climes to go for a separate ATF rad.
__________________
B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 20:30   #4
Forrest
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Try this:

http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/9...ervice-manual/

For the coolant, have you tried a new expansion cap? If yours has gone weak you may be loosing coolant pressure and either disguising other problems or loosing cooling effectiveness (due to boiling) at higher engine temperatures.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 21:09   #5
rogerthechorister
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Default Service manual

That service manual is good sh1t.

It can't be the expansion cap - if it were I would boil but not overheat.

It sounds like a VERY expensive trip to Volvo. I bet a new AW 30 installed is the thick end of two grand...
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B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2015, 00:07   #6
AndysR
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Don't the 960's have autobox oil coolers as standard? I know, although a different model, both my 760's and the 850R have auxiliary Volvo oil coolers fitted which are plumbed inline with the standard oil cooler if that helps.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2015, 00:47   #7
rogerthechorister
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Default Standard?

The standard 960 ATF cooler is inside the radiator. It's a heat exchanger - the autobox fluid is cooled by the radiator water. It's quite interesting to note from that link to the manual on the AW30 box that the limit temperatures of the autobox fluid are within about 10 degrees of the boiling point of the pressurised radiator water (115 degrees plus or minus a few depending on exact 960 model, if the pressure cap is perfect).

My 760 T also has an external cooler for the ATF.

Since, however, the air temperature will always be a lot less than 115 degrees, it seems to me that although the amount of heat that a given airflow could transfer is low, with a big enough ATF cooler you could get the ATF fluid a fair bit cooler than simply using the one inside the rad.
__________________
B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 13:38   #8
rogerthechorister
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Default Interesting

I found a 1994 manual online that suggests that when towing one should use the 3 position on the autobox and engage sport mode. I'll try that next -

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/...94960_4_6.html
__________________
B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 13:40   #9
rogerthechorister
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester
Default And 95 and 96

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/...95960_4_8.html

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/.../96960_406.htm
__________________
B234F estate, H reg 100k miles. RIP melted B280E.
760T estate, F reg 133k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 170k miles.
940 Sport M90 estate, N reg 100k miles, ex Lovejoy.
960 Estate, N reg, 56k miles, blown up and sold.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 14:14   #10
alfadave11
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just reading your issue and im assuming its petrol ...radiator you fitted was it low height? and have you thought to remove your spark plugs to ascertain mixture under load ...ie if its running lean engine will run hotter
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