Rad failed, engine not cooked, rad recommendation please

[Laney760]

Yes, its the lpg gear that is cable tied to the hose but it isn't putting pressure on it. I have noticed that I'm going through another drive belt like a dose of salts though, why do they wear through so quickly on this car?! Yes, my engine compartment is quite dirty and oily but do you see any rust anywhere? No! Thats why I leave it's protective shield of grime in place, I see photos of other people's engine bays on here and can't believe how much rust I see! Edited to say that although my header tank looks as if it is oily and dirty inside, it isn't, the coolant is always spotless in there.



[IMG]DSC00157 by Strider'swoman, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Ian21401]

Just been following this thread with interest. I’ve used main dealer supplied Volvo coolant since I acquired the car in 2005. Diluted 50/50. Last bought some a couple of years ago. Seems okay. Never thought that it may be incompatible with older stuff. I’m partially colour blind but I think it’s red, I’ll have to ask daughter to confirm. Most of the cars I’ve owned over the years have had scruffy looking engine bays. Rust preventative spray and the dust which collects on it does not look nice, but it keeps the rust at bay. Just need to be familiar with one’s own engine bay and be able to identify anything that is not as it should be.

[Laney760]

Good to see you're still in a Volvo Ian, thanks for the good advice

The offending radiator stub which looks like it had been deteriorating for some time. I've learnt from this to keep a more detailed eye on my engine bay in the future:

[IMG]RADIATOR STUB by Strider'swoman, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Laney760]

Update, some more good news. The red coolant they put in my car is Ethylene Glycol and not OATS so one thing less to worry about. I never knew until Bob's post that they are now making red EG as well as red OATS!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Laney760

Good to see you're still in a Volvo Ian, thanks for the good advice

The offending radiator stub which looks like it had been deteriorating for some time. I've learnt from this to keep a more detailed eye on my engine bay in the future:

[IMG]RADIATOR STUB by Strider'swoman, on Flickr[/IMG]

Eek!!! That is definitely an offending radiator stub!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Laney760

Update, some more good news. The red coolant they put in my car is Ethylene Glycol and not OATS so one thing less to worry about. I never knew until Bob's post that they are now making red EG as well as red OATS!

That is good news! They should really have left it blue or green for easy identification IMHO but hopefully all is good now!

[Sicnarf]

Dont worry, your head will be fine. This is a Volvo 940 and they are tuffer than the rest. I assure you.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Sicnarf

Dont worry, your head will be fine. This is a Volvo 940 and they are tuffer than the rest. I assure you.

"Ye cannae change the Laws of Physics Jim". If an engine gets sufficiently overheated, components will warp, especially on mixed metal (cast iron block, alloy head) due to different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Yes, even on a 940.

Luckily this time it didn't happen.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by Laney760

Update, some more good news. The red coolant they put in my car is Ethylene Glycol and not OATS so one thing less to worry about. I never knew until Bob's post that they are now making red EG as well as red OATS!

Glad no damage done Ellie. Me thinks that if it had been the 'nasty stuff' a problem would have manifested itself rather more quickly!

I just wish that there was an International Standard to colour.

I always stick with Comma Xstream G48 (diluted it's a greenie colour).

Comma have now changed their recommendation for 'red block' engines (and all other Volvo engines!!) to something else. Unfortunately their 'tech' people were unable to give me a satisfactory explanation to its constituents which in their blurb suggested an OATS component! So I stick with the tried and tested product.

Bob