Engine: D52447: - Coolant loss

Maccartw · Jun 17th, 2018, 22:59

Hi to all,

I have a coolant loss that started with 4cm a day from the tank, now I'm losing about 1 litre every 80-100 miles. Vehicle is '03 plate XC90 202k on the clock, runs perfect, oil changed every 6k, serviced regularly by me although the harder jobs go to the indy (Just Volvo near Southampton).

I've trawled through a number of post to get an idea of potential areas to look at.

Been under the engine and over the top but can't find the leak, changed the cam and water pump 3 months ago (thanks for the help forumites) and no damp under the pump. No damp under or around the radiator or the pipes from the header tank. There is liquid on the top of the protective/skid pan plastic cover under the engine block.

So far ideas for a leak have been...

1. Tiny cracks in the bottom pipe to the tank (which seems dry)
2. o ring on the top of the tank
3. Head gasket on the way out (so i'll need to check for milky deposits in the oil?)
4. Heater matrix o-rings (although my carpets are completely dry.)

Should i run the car to my local indy and have him/her run a pressure test on the system? Any thoughts on directing him/her to the potential failure points?

I never let the system run dry and top up after every journey when engine is cooled.

Any other ideas I may have missed from owners who know?

Thanks ahead for any help with this.

owenfackrell · Jun 19th, 2018, 23:09

I had a coolant loss issue which in my case was 2 problems the first was a leaking water pump and the second was combustion gasses getting into the coolant which caused it to leak out of the bottle via the cap (it has a pressure relief in it). You can test for the combustion gases your self with simple test kits which are cheap.

tonygreen1966 · Jun 21st, 2018, 21:34

If it's tiny cracks in the hoses, when they leak the hoses don't always get wet because the tiny leakage evaporates off the hose quickly and in daylight you can't see small steam leaks. Best way I've found to find small leaks is get the car very hot (radiator fan running, inside fan switched off and set on cold)in the dark then use a torch. The torch beam reflects of tiny steam leakages. Best get a mate to hold the torch while you flex and twist the hoses. Shine the torch beam from different angles or else you might not see the steam reflection. You can also try looking for residue from the leak.

Good luck and keep us all updated!

gmonag · Jun 27th, 2018, 19:54

Quote:

Any other ideas I may have missed from owners who know?

Take a look at this thread

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...2&postcount=12

Maccartw · Jul 2nd, 2018, 21:22

Thank you all for your ideas.
Turned out to be small leak in the pipe that connects to the thermostat, only noticed after 3 weeks as a line of white had formed below the stat, obviously the hole had got worse over time. The sort of fix I love.
Pipe off, clean cut back with a stanley blade and reattach with a more sturdy universal clip. Watch for 3 days, no leak. Solved.
How did I not see that before !?!

Jun 17th, 2018, 22:59	#1
Maccartw Junior Member Last Online: Mar 14th, 2019 13:08 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Portsmouth	Coolant loss Hi to all, I have a coolant loss that started with 4cm a day from the tank, now I'm losing about 1 litre every 80-100 miles. Vehicle is '03 plate XC90 202k on the clock, runs perfect, oil changed every 6k, serviced regularly by me although the harder jobs go to the indy (Just Volvo near Southampton). I've trawled through a number of post to get an idea of potential areas to look at. Been under the engine and over the top but can't find the leak, changed the cam and water pump 3 months ago (thanks for the help forumites) and no damp under the pump. No damp under or around the radiator or the pipes from the header tank. There is liquid on the top of the protective/skid pan plastic cover under the engine block. So far ideas for a leak have been... 1. Tiny cracks in the bottom pipe to the tank (which seems dry) 2. o ring on the top of the tank 3. Head gasket on the way out (so i'll need to check for milky deposits in the oil?) 4. Heater matrix o-rings (although my carpets are completely dry.) Should i run the car to my local indy and have him/her run a pressure test on the system? Any thoughts on directing him/her to the potential failure points? I never let the system run dry and top up after every journey when engine is cooled. Any other ideas I may have missed from owners who know? Thanks ahead for any help with this.

Jul 2nd, 2018, 21:22	#5
Maccartw Junior Member Last Online: Mar 14th, 2019 13:08 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Portsmouth	Solved Thank you all for your ideas. Turned out to be small leak in the pipe that connects to the thermostat, only noticed after 3 weeks as a line of white had formed below the stat, obviously the hole had got worse over time. The sort of fix I love. Pipe off, clean cut back with a stanley blade and reattach with a more sturdy universal clip. Watch for 3 days, no leak. Solved. How did I not see that before !?!

Jun 19th, 2018, 23:09	#2
owenfackrell Premier Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 19:04 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: southampton	I had a coolant loss issue which in my case was 2 problems the first was a leaking water pump and the second was combustion gasses getting into the coolant which caused it to leak out of the bottle via the cap (it has a pressure relief in it). You can test for the combustion gases your self with simple test kits which are cheap.

Jun 21st, 2018, 21:34	#3
tonygreen1966 Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2023 14:41 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: UK	If it's tiny cracks in the hoses, when they leak the hoses don't always get wet because the tiny leakage evaporates off the hose quickly and in daylight you can't see small steam leaks. Best way I've found to find small leaks is get the car very hot (radiator fan running, inside fan switched off and set on cold)in the dark then use a torch. The torch beam reflects of tiny steam leakages. Best get a mate to hold the torch while you flex and twist the hoses. Shine the torch beam from different angles or else you might not see the steam reflection. You can also try looking for residue from the leak. Good luck and keep us all updated!

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