480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going?

Sep 27th, 2003, 15:29

Hi all. On my 480 the coolant level drops to the bottom of the expansion chamber every 500 miles or so. My dealer has checked this twice now when the car has been in for services but each time has been returned with, 'No leak found'. I have checked numerous times when topping up but can find no sign of a leak at all. Everything else on the car seems fine. Runs fine. Very annoying!
Any ideas?
Paul.C

Sep 29th, 2003, 17:46

Your engines not running essively hot or anything is it (thinking evaporation)?!?

Failing that if they are sure theres no leaks im stumped!!!

Baffler · Sep 29th, 2003, 20:41

...change your expansion bottle? I had a similar problem when I had mine and found that the plastic nossel coming from the bottom of the expansion bottle (where the rubber pipe is attached) had cracks in the plastic hence the loss of water. Replaced it with new one and problem went away.

Good luck...

Oct 1st, 2003, 15:41

Thanks , will try that. I've just got back from a scrapyard getting bits for my daughters VW Polo. I had a scout round the Volvo section of the yard , no 480s. Will a chamber from a 440 / 460 be the same?

Paul.C

Oct 13th, 2003, 22:26

Hi Paul,
i've just bought myself a (93) 480t and the only thing i've found wrong with it (other than the lowered suspension which i'm planning to change soon, and an electrical gremlin!!) is a slight loss of coolant, i have flushed the system during a full service, checked all hoses and their security with no problems. The only area of concern i have is the amount of water vapour coming from the exhaust, i'm thinking that possibly there's a slight leak on the head gasket, my dad had this years ago on an Audi, i will not be bothering about it until i start using the car properly, and that will be once the suspension is sorted. Will let you know if i needed to change the gasket.
iain

Oct 15th, 2003, 19:43

Had a lovely looking 480ES a couple of years back. It used to lose a lot of coolant, although there was a drip mark where it had been parked. It was traced to the little metal blanking plugs that are popped into the engine crankcase casting when the car is manufactured. They had begun to rust through and the engine was loosing water. They are at the back of the engine (where the exhaust manifold is). Had them replaced at a Volvo dealer when a cracked exhaust downpipe was replaced at the same time, wasn't cheap but sure cured the problem.

That car used to get A LOT of water leaking into it as well - but that's another story. Nice car though.

Oct 31st, 2003, 12:37

Many thanks to you all. Just been touring France in the 480 - the first time it has had 'real use' instead of the daily trudge to work & back. Topped up the coolant prior to the trip and had no problems - ran like a dream?

Dan F · Nov 5th, 2003, 12:32

All major components from the 440/460 should be interchangable with the 480. The engine bays are all but identical. If in doubt take one from a 440 and see if it matches. A Haynes manual will give you a very good idea of what is the same as there will only be one section for that part of the car that covers all models.

Cheers,
Dan.

Sep 27th, 2003, 15:29	#1
Paul.C Guest Location:	480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? Hi all. On my 480 the coolant level drops to the bottom of the expansion chamber every 500 miles or so. My dealer has checked this twice now when the car has been in for services but each time has been returned with, 'No leak found'. I have checked numerous times when topping up but can find no sign of a leak at all. Everything else on the car seems fine. Runs fine. Very annoying! Any ideas? Paul.C

Sep 29th, 2003, 17:46	#2
terrastudios Guest Location:	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? Your engines not running essively hot or anything is it (thinking evaporation)?!? Failing that if they are sure theres no leaks im stumped!!!

Sep 29th, 2003, 20:41	#3
Baffler Premier Member Last Online: May 17th, 2024 18:21 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? ...change your expansion bottle? I had a similar problem when I had mine and found that the plastic nossel coming from the bottom of the expansion bottle (where the rubber pipe is attached) had cracks in the plastic hence the loss of water. Replaced it with new one and problem went away. Good luck... __________________ Liam... '96 854 TDI SE, '99 V70 2.5D S, '05 C70 2.0T Collection, '05 S80 2.0T SE, '15 V70 D4 SE Lux Nav.

Oct 1st, 2003, 15:41	#4
Paul.C Guest Location:	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? Thanks , will try that. I've just got back from a scrapyard getting bits for my daughters VW Polo. I had a scout round the Volvo section of the yard , no 480s. Will a chamber from a 440 / 460 be the same? Paul.C

Oct 13th, 2003, 22:26	#5
imcs Guest Location:	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant... Hi Paul, i've just bought myself a (93) 480t and the only thing i've found wrong with it (other than the lowered suspension which i'm planning to change soon, and an electrical gremlin!!) is a slight loss of coolant, i have flushed the system during a full service, checked all hoses and their security with no problems. The only area of concern i have is the amount of water vapour coming from the exhaust, i'm thinking that possibly there's a slight leak on the head gasket, my dad had this years ago on an Audi, i will not be bothering about it until i start using the car properly, and that will be once the suspension is sorted. Will let you know if i needed to change the gasket. iain

Oct 15th, 2003, 19:43	#6
Hobo Guest Location:	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? Had a lovely looking 480ES a couple of years back. It used to lose a lot of coolant, although there was a drip mark where it had been parked. It was traced to the little metal blanking plugs that are popped into the engine crankcase casting when the car is manufactured. They had begun to rust through and the engine was loosing water. They are at the back of the engine (where the exhaust manifold is). Had them replaced at a Volvo dealer when a cracked exhaust downpipe was replaced at the same time, wasn't cheap but sure cured the problem. That car used to get A LOT of water leaking into it as well - but that's another story. Nice car though.

Oct 31st, 2003, 12:37	#7
Paul.C Guest Location:	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? Many thanks to you all. Just been touring France in the 480 - the first time it has had 'real use' instead of the daily trudge to work & back. Topped up the coolant prior to the trip and had no problems - ran like a dream?

Nov 5th, 2003, 12:32	#8
Dan F Premier Member Last Online: Apr 7th, 2008 13:05 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Worcs	RE: 480 Turbo Auto J 546 CYP (1991) Where is my coolant going? All major components from the 440/460 should be interchangable with the 480. The engine bays are all but identical. If in doubt take one from a 440 and see if it matches. A Haynes manual will give you a very good idea of what is the same as there will only be one section for that part of the car that covers all models. Cheers, Dan.

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