V70: Engine D3 coolant change

[bananarama]

Guys, I'm doing a coolant change and want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

From having read a few threads and watched a few videos it looks like the main thing to do is:

1. Drain the reservoir/radiator via the tap at the bottom of the radiator.
2. Refill the reservoir with deionised water and go for a spin to get the engine up to operating temperature so the thermostat opens and water circulates.
3. Make sure to turn on the aircon at max temperature for a few minutes too.
4. Let it cool down and repeat this process until the water drained is clear
5. After the final drain fill with 4L of concentrated antifreeze and top up with deionised water.

I'm under the impression the system self-bleeds so I wont have to worry about air pockets getting trapped?

Also, I don't think the coolant has ever been changed, so I'm surprised it didn't look more disgusting. I've seen videos with rust-coloured coolant.

coolant_change.jpgcoolant_old.jpg

[griston64]

The genuine Volvo coolant is very good hence why it looks pretty fresh.

How difficult did you find the plastic drain plug thingy on the radiator to undo ? They are a bit prone to breaking so be careful

[XC90Mk1]

That coolant looks reasonable, and as Griston says the Volvo stuff is good. To that end if it were me personally I would not worry about the last 100ml etc and would do as you say.

The main issue is ensuring you don’t have a cocky e of water enclosed trapped to reduce efficiceny and to that end I would advise post change you get a hydrometer or whatever they are called to ensure correct dilution (they are low cost - you may already have one).

Well done on the preventative maintenance you are asking.

One bit of advice I have is to turkey baste out some power steering fluid and check that out. Mine was aweful at 100k so I replaced it. A couple of friends have had V70s scrapped due to worn power steering racks, in my opinion it’s one of the best preventative maintenance works you can do.

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by griston64

How difficult did you find the plastic drain plug thingy on the radiator to undo ? They are a bit prone to breaking so be careful

Awkward to access! And exactly as described on the forum: first 1/4 turn easy, next 1/4 turn stiff.

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

The main issue is ensuring you don’t have a cocky e of water enclosed trapped to reduce efficiceny and to that end I would advise post change you get a hydrometer or whatever they are called to ensure correct dilution (they are low cost - you may already have one).

I'm confused on this, wouldn't the water and antifreeze eventually mix thoroughly as they flow throughout the system?

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

One bit of advice I have is to turkey baste out some power steering fluid and check that out. Mine was aweful at 100k so I replaced it. A couple of friends have had V70s scrapped due to worn power steering racks, in my opinion it’s one of the best preventative maintenance works you can do.

This is my next job! Will do what's shown in the VolvoSweeden video

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by bananarama

I'm confused on this, wouldn't the water and antifreeze eventually mix thoroughly as they flow throughout the system?




This is my next job! Will do what's shown in the VolvoSweeden video

They will mix as they flow through the system yes, my comment is to make sure you don’t have something like 1l stuck somewhere (thermostat closed etc) and then find once mixed up the concentration is reduced hence check.

I should have been clearer there.

Yes, my power steering oil was filthy. I took the easy route and just removed fluid from the header and then filled with fresh periodically.

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

They will mix as they flow through the system yes, my comment is to make sure you don’t have something like 1l stuck somewhere (thermostat closed etc) and then find once mixed up the concentration is reduced hence check.

AH! No worries, so I'm under the impression the system needs a total of 8L, and I'm assuming that any residual coolant in the system is just deionised water, so the plan on the final fill is to add 4L of antifreeze first, and then top up with deionised water. This should ensure 50:50 mix

[passenger]

That ventil on radiator blocked by me. I rotate it 20x, nothing happen lol

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by passenger

That ventil on radiator blocked by me. I rotate it 20x, nothing happen lol

Your radiator isn't draining??

[passenger]

No man, had luck. And I ordered new valve, but by ordering I made mistake and order fuel filter drain valve, not radiator valve lol 😁 need to order right one just in case.
But first few days I was checking all the time under car and watched do get wet near valve. But seems okay