I think my radiator is leaking

The vast minority · Apr 21st, 2018, 07:12

Bit of a blow, done 17000 miles since getting the XC70 in September.
What a lovely thing to be doing big miles in.
Anyway, honeymoon over, low coolant warning came on last week, stopped and checked, it was just below min so full marks to the sensor.

Before topping up I got on the deck for a look, bottom corner of rad at uk driver side is showing the signs of slow leakage and is damp. I’ve not had a good look yet or consulted VIDA so I’m hoping there is a drain plug in that area that might need a tweak. Realistically though I expect I’m looking at radiator replacement. It’s very minor and I can do around 500 miles from max to min so we are still on the road.

2012 2.4 D3 AWD, now on 71000 miles.

Oh well, back to the spanner’s, sometime very soon, the trouble free luxury was great while it lasted.

green van man · Apr 21st, 2018, 07:44

Drain plug is left hand side of radiator looking from drivers seat. Sorry looks like a leak.
Check your oil as the oil cooler may be part of the radiator, or I may be confusing Volvo and landrover rads, having one of each.

Paul.

The vast minority · Apr 21st, 2018, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by green van man

Drain plug is left hand side of radiator looking from drivers seat. Sorry looks like a leak.
Check your oil as the oil cooler may be part of the radiator, or I may be confusing Volvo and landrover rads, having one of each.

Paul.

Yer, this is what I’m thinking. I’ll get a good look at it tomorrow hopefully
Cheers

Gilson · May 27th, 2018, 22:58

Hi there, any update on this. I also have a leak so was hoping you could share some knowledge. Thank you..

GrahamBrown1 · May 28th, 2018, 08:04

This was a common issue on P3 cars. Just have to fit new one.

Tannaton · May 28th, 2018, 08:24

One of those issues where you just need to fix it asap as it's not going to get any better with time...

The vast minority · May 28th, 2018, 21:57

Hi guys, sorry its been a while.
Ive done 2900 miles since I posted about the leak, i've taken the old girl off the road today to get stuck up her. Ive had to top up about every 450 miles since she started dropping coolant but it actually never got worse. Dont let that fool you though I expect one day it will go in a big way if not corrected.... I have a caravan holiday in 2 weeks where ill be towing a brand new Bailey big BSTARD so wasn't going to push my luck......thus it is out with the spanners.

I will do a full walk through the job with pictures and post here in this thread.
For starters, here she is with her pretty face removed for the first time this very evening.

bobsy852 · May 29th, 2018, 10:58

Wow, is it really necessary to take the whole front end off like that just to change the rad on these?

The vast minority · May 30th, 2018, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobsy852

Wow, is it really necessary to take the whole front end off like that just to change the rad on these?

Sure looks like it, I was guided by the stuff in VIDA. Might be possible without but would be a real struggle.

The state of it in that pics is the job just started. you should see it with the rad out and the intercooler sitting on the deck! I'll post pics later.

Gilson · May 31st, 2018, 16:32

This job is too much for me but will read with interest.

It already looks like an expensive job. Could I perhaps buy a rad from eBay? Or are the Volvo rads the only ones to use.

Thanks.

Apr 21st, 2018, 07:12	#1
The vast minority Member Last Online: Aug 17th, 2018 16:43 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thirsk	I think my radiator is leaking Bit of a blow, done 17000 miles since getting the XC70 in September. What a lovely thing to be doing big miles in. Anyway, honeymoon over, low coolant warning came on last week, stopped and checked, it was just below min so full marks to the sensor. Before topping up I got on the deck for a look, bottom corner of rad at uk driver side is showing the signs of slow leakage and is damp. I’ve not had a good look yet or consulted VIDA so I’m hoping there is a drain plug in that area that might need a tweak. Realistically though I expect I’m looking at radiator replacement. It’s very minor and I can do around 500 miles from max to min so we are still on the road. 2012 2.4 D3 AWD, now on 71000 miles. Oh well, back to the spanner’s, sometime very soon, the trouble free luxury was great while it lasted.

May 28th, 2018, 08:04	#5
GrahamBrown1 VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:19 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire	This was a common issue on P3 cars. Just have to fit new one. __________________ Previous -03 S40, 04 V70 D5 SE, 04 V70 D5 Sport, 05 V50, 07 S60 D5, 09 V70 D5 R design, 12 XC60 DrivE, 15 V60 VEA Oil Burner Current- 05 XC90 D5 Executive, 12 XC70 D4 AWD Se Lux, 14 S80 D3 Se Lux

May 28th, 2018, 08:24	#6
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 07:47 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	One of those issues where you just need to fix it asap as it's not going to get any better with time... __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135

May 29th, 2018, 10:58	#8
bobsy852 Senior Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2022 08:44 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Rossendale, Lancashire	Wow, is it really necessary to take the whole front end off like that just to change the rad on these? __________________ 2008 (57 plate) Volvo V70 D5 with Poletsar remap (205) 1996 BMW E36 328i Sport Coupe 2019 VW MK7 e-Golf (full electric) (partners car)

Apr 21st, 2018, 07:44	#2
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	Drain plug is left hand side of radiator looking from drivers seat. Sorry looks like a leak. Check your oil as the oil cooler may be part of the radiator, or I may be confusing Volvo and landrover rads, having one of each. Paul.

May 27th, 2018, 22:58	#4
Gilson Junior Member Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 14:53 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Herts	Hi there, any update on this. I also have a leak so was hoping you could share some knowledge. Thank you..

May 31st, 2018, 16:32	#10
Gilson Junior Member Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 14:53 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Herts	This job is too much for me but will read with interest. It already looks like an expensive job. Could I perhaps buy a rad from eBay? Or are the Volvo rads the only ones to use. Thanks.

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