Coolant issues, no overheating and can’t find leak

[Stalledvolvos90]

Well I think since using it I’m loosing less coolant than when I first posted this thread.
The car is running way smoother which is a surprise but because I was wasn’t sure about using the stop leak I didn’t do what it recommended. After using stop leak the coolant level dropped but that’s because it went to where the leak is. The bottle says when it gets cold to top it up with more stop leak but I used regular coolant instead. At work I always park on a slight up hill which is good for the air lock.

[Stalledvolvos90]

Timing belt has a sticker on the cover saying it was done at 190000km. I’m on 300000km and expect I have to change it pretty soon.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Stalledvolvos90

Well I think since using it I’m loosing less coolant than when I first posted this thread.
The car is running way smoother which is a surprise but because I was wasn’t sure about using the stop leak I didn’t do what it recommended. After using stop leak the coolant level dropped but that’s because it went to where the leak is. The bottle says when it gets cold to top it up with more stop leak but I used regular coolant instead. At work I always park on a slight up hill which is good for the air lock.

No doubt the smoother running (and probably improved fuel economy too) is due to the fact the CTS is now getting heated by the coolant that should be heating it and not just the air from an air lock round it.

See how things go, no road trips to the outback until you're sure though!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Stalledvolvos90

Timing belt has a sticker on the cover saying it was done at 190000km. I’m on 300000km and expect I have to change it pretty soon.

Timing belt, tensioner and water pump then - might kill two birds with one stone that way!

[Stalledvolvos90]

When you say no trips to the outback, should I avoid driving places an hour away. Or you mean massive trips.
I’ll research about air locks now. Was going to crack open the cap tomorrow morning and see if it still holds pressure over nignt after it’s had many hours to cool down

[Laird Scooby]

An hour away you should be ok but keep an eye on the temperature gauge, should stay more or less at the halfway point once warmed up.

When i said the outback, i meant massive trips.

Shouldn't be any pressure in the system when it's cold and you haven't started it. If you check the level, top up if needed, refit the cap and start up and let it run for a couple of minutes then switch off, you should be able to remove the cap and still have no pressure in there.

[Stalledvolvos90]

So sorry to keep bumping laird I think you made a breakthrough with teaching a newbie about the ways of the old sweedish beast.
It seems as when I was talking about pressure in the overflow tank, I had used the car for an hour long trip and opened the tank to top up an hour later. I think my car at those times must of still been quite warm. My car was parked since I arrived home from work today at 7pm and it’s now almost 10. I opened the coolant tank and didn’t feel any pressure. I drove the car to the service station 5 minutes away and checked the tank and it made the smallest pressure sound. Very minor. So maybe it is not okay but many thanks for your help. It sounds as I might be in a quite normal situation. I know I need to learn more but this sort of stuff really helps me. In terms of paint and panel I do well in my trade but just never really learnt about other parts of the automotive industry.