2006 XC90 D5 Coolant Loss

giw12 · Feb 28th, 2023, 18:31

Hi

55 plate D5 with 209k on the clock.

About a year ago I had a cooling warning light come on. Topped up and then took it to my indy but no leak or trace of a leak could be found. He commented that it may be the head gasket,

Fast forward 12 months and I noticed a leak on the drive yesterday, and half the coolant tank had disappeared. There are several areas where there is evidence of leaking.

All booked in again but for now, and excuse my ignorance, I'm assuming that the head gasket isn't the problem given that I can see evidence of leaking?

All thoughts, as ever, much appreciated.

Regards

TeamG · Feb 28th, 2023, 18:55

One common cause is radiators leaking from the sides near the bottom. Have a look with a torch around those areas and that may reassure you that the cause is relatively inexpensive (when compared to a head gasket).

S60D5-185 · Mar 1st, 2023, 09:05

Read these two pages. This is could well be your problem.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t+pipe+leaking

giw12 · Mar 1st, 2023, 14:58

Hi

I sent that to my indy last year when the problem first occurred.

No joy alas.

Also, the radiator is bone dry.

giw12 · Mar 2nd, 2023, 13:06

Latest.....full pressure check done with no issues. Exhaust gasses checked and no traces of coolant.

Indy (a Volvo specialist for many many years) is advising that they have seen this before and the issue can only be the head gasket. It's going to cost a fair bit but I've no desire to spend £60K on a new XC90 or step into the unknown with a £10k XC90.

Looks like beans on toast for a while.

Fika · Mar 2nd, 2023, 15:35

It's either going in the engine (you'd be able to smell it) or boiling off somewhere... Is there not a special sort of coolant mix with visible marker thing you can use for investigating where if this is leaking via UV lamp???

giw12 · Mar 2nd, 2023, 15:47

The coolant has a dye in it but no signs anywhere.

JohnL · Mar 4th, 2023, 22:33

I have had a leak on my 2003, MY, was having to top up the header tank not that often, but couldn't find the leak spot at all, it turned out to be the quick release coupling onto the bulk head, there were no leak signs, but putting some tissue underneath the coupling and then running for a few days it did wet the tissue, but wouldn't have seen it without doing that, I have put some KSeal in and has now stopped, worth a look at this item.

John

Clan · Mar 4th, 2023, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by giw12

Latest.....full pressure check done with no issues. Exhaust gasses checked and no traces of coolant.

Indy (a Volvo specialist for many many years) is advising that they have seen this before and the issue can only be the head gasket. It's going to cost a fair bit but I've no desire to spend £60K on a new XC90 or step into the unknown with a £10k XC90.

Looks like beans on toast for a while.

Head gaskets don't "go" they are layers of thin steel, the head may warp. the block may warp, a liner may crack if the engine has been tampered with or overheated previously in the past. I would go for one or all three of those. Good Luck Though ...

Danielpsmith · Mar 5th, 2023, 09:42

Could be the heater matrix I had mine leak, you can’t see the leak unless you take the covers off by the passenger seat.

Quick and easy to check.

Feb 28th, 2023, 18:31	#1
giw12 Member Last Online: Today 20:53 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chichester	2006 XC90 D5 Coolant Loss Hi 55 plate D5 with 209k on the clock. About a year ago I had a cooling warning light come on. Topped up and then took it to my indy but no leak or trace of a leak could be found. He commented that it may be the head gasket, Fast forward 12 months and I noticed a leak on the drive yesterday, and half the coolant tank had disappeared. There are several areas where there is evidence of leaking. All booked in again but for now, and excuse my ignorance, I'm assuming that the head gasket isn't the problem given that I can see evidence of leaking? All thoughts, as ever, much appreciated. Regards

Feb 28th, 2023, 18:55	#2
TeamG Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 17:40 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: CARDIFF	One common cause is radiators leaking from the sides near the bottom. Have a look with a torch around those areas and that may reassure you that the cause is relatively inexpensive (when compared to a head gasket). __________________ _________________________________________ 2017 XC60 D4 AWD R Design Nav 2011 V70 1.6 DRIVe SE (sold) 2008 V50 2.0D SE (sold)

Mar 1st, 2023, 09:05	#3
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Today 19:48 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	Read these two pages. This is could well be your problem. https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t+pipe+leaking __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic

Mar 1st, 2023, 14:58	#4
giw12 Member Last Online: Today 20:53 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chichester	Hi I sent that to my indy last year when the problem first occurred. No joy alas. Also, the radiator is bone dry.

Mar 2nd, 2023, 13:06	#5
giw12 Member Last Online: Today 20:53 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chichester	Latest.....full pressure check done with no issues. Exhaust gasses checked and no traces of coolant. Indy (a Volvo specialist for many many years) is advising that they have seen this before and the issue can only be the head gasket. It's going to cost a fair bit but I've no desire to spend £60K on a new XC90 or step into the unknown with a £10k XC90. Looks like beans on toast for a while.

Mar 2nd, 2023, 15:35	#6
Fika Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 06:58 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: City of the Metropolitan Elite	It's either going in the engine (you'd be able to smell it) or boiling off somewhere... Is there not a special sort of coolant mix with visible marker thing you can use for investigating where if this is leaking via UV lamp???

Mar 2nd, 2023, 15:47	#7
giw12 Member Last Online: Today 20:53 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chichester	The coolant has a dye in it but no signs anywhere.

Mar 4th, 2023, 22:33	#8
JohnL Senior Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2024 15:50 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oise	I have had a leak on my 2003, MY, was having to top up the header tank not that often, but couldn't find the leak spot at all, it turned out to be the quick release coupling onto the bulk head, there were no leak signs, but putting some tissue underneath the coupling and then running for a few days it did wet the tissue, but wouldn't have seen it without doing that, I have put some KSeal in and has now stopped, worth a look at this item. John

Mar 5th, 2023, 09:42	#10
Danielpsmith Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 11:11 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Birmingham	Could be the heater matrix I had mine leak, you can’t see the leak unless you take the covers off by the passenger seat. Quick and easy to check.

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