V50 Engine 2.0D : - Thermostat

the pasty · Feb 10th, 2015, 07:51

Hi.
Looks like my thermostat has gone with the colder weather and have searched through posts looking for info about how easy a job it is to change (2005 2.0 Diesel). Also, read that one might need a software update too?
Pleased if anyone can advise on changing the thermostat and confirm if a software update is also required (and why).
Thank you in advance.

Guru · Feb 10th, 2015, 08:24

Hi,

What makes you think the thermostat is not working? does the car take ages to warm up?

There are two components in the thermostat body that govern liquid circulation, a classical mechanical valve (no.9 in the diagram) that works by thermal expansion, and an electronic valve called the shut off or "bypass" valve (no.2) that is controlled by the ECM .. the later generates an error code if it's faulty, P2683 to be exact, and as far as I know is a volvo only replacement and it's quite expensive too ..
So better get your codes checked first.

the pasty · Feb 10th, 2015, 13:59

Thanks for the reply. Well, I believed it was the thermostat as it does not fully warm up and the heater's temperature output is very low.
However - and I discovered this after my commute this morning - I now have a far more serious issue with oil in the expansion tank. I guess this suggests a blown head gasket!!
From a quick check I could not see any water contamination in the oil - looking at the dipstick and in the top of the engine - but something is seriously wrong. Weird, though, on the journey to work the performance wqas the same as usual - despite oil going round with the coolant. Needless to say, I assume I should not really drive very far (still 35 miles from home) and need to get to a garage asap.
Any thoughts/advice truly appreciated.

Guru · Feb 10th, 2015, 17:01

Are you sure it's really oil in the coolant tank? can you see a rainbow-like effect floating on the water surface in the tank? or has the coolant just turned to a dark brownish colour?

Could be that the heater matrix is blocked with rust particles and dirt and your coolant system just needs a good flush .. providing the oil isn't contaminated with water too then don't just yet accuse engine sealants and head gaskets.
I'd start off by flushing the coolant system first.

If the oil was contaminated then that still does not mean a blown head gasket .. under the oil filter compartment there is a small rectangular shaped metal box with pipes going in and out of it (red circle) .. that is the oil cooler where engine oil is cooled with water, check that it is not damaged and that there are no leaks at the junctions.

the pasty · Feb 10th, 2015, 17:37

Many thanks, Guru, for the sound advice. I will check the oil cooler this evening and see how it looks: there is also a fair bit of oil splashed around under the expansion bottle which may suggest another cause. I was not aware there was an oil cooler!
Regarding oil in the expansion bottle, it is definitely oil as it is black and matches the texture/look of the oil on the dipstick :-(
Anyway, will provide an update as I find out more. Appreciate you help.

msh · Feb 11th, 2015, 12:24

Hi
Please do not shoot me down in flames
There is a test kit that can test if Hydro carbons are present in the coolant. Not sure if it would work with oil in the coolant
Mark

the pasty · Feb 11th, 2015, 13:28

Update: garage advises the oil cooler has gone.
Given the amount of oil, the garage suggests changing all the affected parts (heater matrix, radiator, pipes, etc.) and of course the oil cooler, as flushing might not clear all the oil: costs going up :-(
Question: is it worth changing all affected parts on a 55plate 143k mile 2.0D?

cheshired5 · Feb 11th, 2015, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by the pasty

Update: garage advises the oil cooler has gone.
Given the amount of oil, the garage suggests changing all the affected parts (heater matrix, radiator, pipes, etc.) and of course the oil cooler, as flushing might not clear all the oil: costs going up :-(
Question: is it worth changing all affected parts on a 55plate 143k mile 2.0D?

If changing the oil cooler restores coolant/oil separation, I'd keep my money in my pocket and go for a radiator flush instead to clean any other contaminated pipework, then see how things are.

Guru · Feb 11th, 2015, 21:57

Just flush throughly using a good radiator flush fluid .. It will be a tedious job but worth it considering how difficult it is to reach the heater matrix on these cars ..

But the radiator is fairly easy to remove .. You can take it out, flush it with petrol or naphtha then remount it.

Oli remnants in the cooling system will eventually gather up in the expansion tank and float on the surface .. You'll be sipping them out from there on the long run.

How much for an oil cooler on these cars? Nothing lasts for ever but I don't think it should have gone as it's not a wear and tear item .. Have you maintained a regular oil filter change ?

the pasty · Feb 12th, 2015, 07:26

We'll go down the multi-flush route and shall likely remove the radiator too to ease cleaning, hopefully over this weekend. Oil/filter changes have been regular. Will provide an update on outcome.
Thanks.

Feb 10th, 2015, 07:51	#1
the pasty New Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2015 21:10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: poole	Thermostat Hi. Looks like my thermostat has gone with the colder weather and have searched through posts looking for info about how easy a job it is to change (2005 2.0 Diesel). Also, read that one might need a software update too? Pleased if anyone can advise on changing the thermostat and confirm if a software update is also required (and why). Thank you in advance.

Feb 10th, 2015, 08:24	#2
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Hi, What makes you think the thermostat is not working? does the car take ages to warm up? There are two components in the thermostat body that govern liquid circulation, a classical mechanical valve (no.9 in the diagram) that works by thermal expansion, and an electronic valve called the shut off or "bypass" valve (no.2) that is controlled by the ECM .. the later generates an error code if it's faulty, P2683 to be exact, and as far as I know is a volvo only replacement and it's quite expensive too .. So better get your codes checked first. __________________ Volvo S40 2.0D momentum \| 100kw/136bph \| 2005 \| Euro III \| 49mpg \| Electric silver

Feb 10th, 2015, 13:59	#3
the pasty New Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2015 21:10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: poole	Thermostat - and now oil in the coolant! Thanks for the reply. Well, I believed it was the thermostat as it does not fully warm up and the heater's temperature output is very low. However - and I discovered this after my commute this morning - I now have a far more serious issue with oil in the expansion tank. I guess this suggests a blown head gasket!! From a quick check I could not see any water contamination in the oil - looking at the dipstick and in the top of the engine - but something is seriously wrong. Weird, though, on the journey to work the performance wqas the same as usual - despite oil going round with the coolant. Needless to say, I assume I should not really drive very far (still 35 miles from home) and need to get to a garage asap. Any thoughts/advice truly appreciated.

Feb 10th, 2015, 17:01	#4
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Are you sure it's really oil in the coolant tank? can you see a rainbow-like effect floating on the water surface in the tank? or has the coolant just turned to a dark brownish colour? Could be that the heater matrix is blocked with rust particles and dirt and your coolant system just needs a good flush .. providing the oil isn't contaminated with water too then don't just yet accuse engine sealants and head gaskets. I'd start off by flushing the coolant system first. If the oil was contaminated then that still does not mean a blown head gasket .. under the oil filter compartment there is a small rectangular shaped metal box with pipes going in and out of it (red circle) .. that is the oil cooler where engine oil is cooled with water, check that it is not damaged and that there are no leaks at the junctions. __________________ Volvo S40 2.0D momentum \| 100kw/136bph \| 2005 \| Euro III \| 49mpg \| Electric silver

Feb 11th, 2015, 13:28	#7
the pasty New Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2015 21:10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: poole	Thermostat - oh dear Update: garage advises the oil cooler has gone. Given the amount of oil, the garage suggests changing all the affected parts (heater matrix, radiator, pipes, etc.) and of course the oil cooler, as flushing might not clear all the oil: costs going up :-( Question: is it worth changing all affected parts on a 55plate 143k mile 2.0D?

Feb 10th, 2015, 17:37	#5
the pasty New Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2015 21:10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: poole	Many thanks, Guru, for the sound advice. I will check the oil cooler this evening and see how it looks: there is also a fair bit of oil splashed around under the expansion bottle which may suggest another cause. I was not aware there was an oil cooler! Regarding oil in the expansion bottle, it is definitely oil as it is black and matches the texture/look of the oil on the dipstick :-( Anyway, will provide an update as I find out more. Appreciate you help.

Feb 11th, 2015, 12:24	#6
msh Senior Member Last Online: Oct 15th, 2017 11:57 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: paignton	Hi Please do not shoot me down in flames There is a test kit that can test if Hydro carbons are present in the coolant. Not sure if it would work with oil in the coolant Mark

Feb 11th, 2015, 21:57	#9
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Just flush throughly using a good radiator flush fluid .. It will be a tedious job but worth it considering how difficult it is to reach the heater matrix on these cars .. But the radiator is fairly easy to remove .. You can take it out, flush it with petrol or naphtha then remount it. Oli remnants in the cooling system will eventually gather up in the expansion tank and float on the surface .. You'll be sipping them out from there on the long run. How much for an oil cooler on these cars? Nothing lasts for ever but I don't think it should have gone as it's not a wear and tear item .. Have you maintained a regular oil filter change ? __________________ Volvo S40 2.0D momentum \| 100kw/136bph \| 2005 \| Euro III \| 49mpg \| Electric silver

Feb 12th, 2015, 07:26	#10
the pasty New Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2015 21:10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: poole	We'll go down the multi-flush route and shall likely remove the radiator too to ease cleaning, hopefully over this weekend. Oil/filter changes have been regular. Will provide an update on outcome. Thanks.

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