Coolant flush

[griston64]

Can anybody tell me if there is a drain plug on the engine block ?

Am I right in its G11 Blue coolant for my 940 ? Do most just use any well known brand ?

Cheers

[wrinkles]

I use Blucol or comma blue in mine been ok last 5 years but I think it time to change it.

[baggy798]

I only use Volvo coolant and deionised water.

But any blue/green coolant is ok I guess. It's the pink stuff that is a no-no.

[Forrest]

On turbo engines there is a drain valve on a pipe near the oil filter that can be used to drain the block. It would be worth checking the two little coolant hoses near this valve whilst you’re there. They can fail and cause loss of coolant.

If I want to reuse the coolant I drain it from the plastic drain valve on the bottom of the radiator. This is behind a plastic cover and is always nice and clean.

I always use Volvo blue/green coolant and water from my (compressor) dehumidifier. I have heard that deionised water can cause leaks and I am pretty sure I experienced this problem when I was younger and didn’t understand the difference between deionised and distilled.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by griston64

Can anybody tell me if there is a drain plug on the engine block ?

Am I right in its G11 Blue coolant for my 940 ? Do most just use any well known brand ?

Cheers

If this is a red block there is [likely to be] a drain "tap" well back on the side of the engine beneath the exhaust/manifold.

On my B200F the tap is a large threaded outer screwed in to the block, and a threaded inner screwed in to the outer. The inner is also a spout for a length of hose to drain in to a container, and possibly to back flush. When I found the tap, it was blocked, in need to cleaning out. The tap is not the easiest of things to access. And re-fitting the outer part after cleaning the tap out needs especial patience.

Good luck.

[griston64]

Someone said as I live in a very soft water area that tap water mixed is ok

[bob12]

I live in a hard water area and for 29 years have always used a 50/50% mix of tap water to antifreeze. The engine still functions well with no cooling problems.

However, I have been through 3 water pumps in that time! For the past few years I have been using Comma XStream G64 antifreeze. You can go to their website and see what they recommend for your car/engine - Bob.

[griston64]

Comma website recommends G64. Halfraufds said G48 when you enter your car reg ???

[Chooch84]

Volvo Coolant 31439721 is Ethylene Glycol based after doing some digging. I'm using "Motul INUGEL EXPERT Car Antifreeze / Coolant" (the blue one).

My only comment about tap water would be, that whether you live in a hard water or soft water area, you will still have some sort of mineral deposits build up (check your kettle). Distilled water or ready mix would be the ideal way to go IMO.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by griston64

Comma website recommends G64. Halfraufds said G48 when you enter your car reg ???

Ah, yes I see what you mean! I just looked on the Comma website when I put up the post which said G64 for my B200F engine and happily said G64, BUT having raised the question I have been out to the garage and see I actually use G48!!

More research needed!! Comma always used to recommend G48 for these engines. I can only assume they have modified something in the brew. I will have to look into it.

Bob.