General: Volvo Blue/Green Coolant - Latest Thinking?

[StanC]

Hi All,

Volvo don't include coolant flush/change in their service schedules, claiming that their blue/green coolant (anti-freeze) will last the life of the vehicle.

As an engineer I've always felt dubious about this - glycol antifreeze doesn't lose its anti-freezing properties, but it's corrosion-protection properties do decline with age. So, for the past thirty-odd years of owning Volvo's, I have changed the coolant (using distilled water in the mix) every two years. My 1996 960 (140,00 miles) needed some cylinder head work last year and with the head off and the internals exposed my regular coolant changes were vindicated by the as-new, perfectly clean, corrosion-free state of all the visible water channels.

As I get older, though, things like coolant changes become a bit of a pain and I'm wondering if I really do need to do this every two years. The subject doesn't seem to have been aired in the Forum recently and I just wondered if there is any 'latest thinking' on the subject of how long it's ok to leave Volvo blue/green coolant before changing it, whilst still completely protecting the engine from corrosion.

Thanks,
Stan.

[RollingThunder]

I'm old school too, and while I've stopped using the Volvo coolant (I use the Halfords pink nowadays) I still do a flush & change every other year.

I guess it depends upon how long you want to keep the car, and if it bugs you to know it hasn't been done - its knowing that something SHOULD be undertaken but hasn't that really irritates me to the point where I HAVE to do it. Which is why my 850 has had £1000s spent on it when £100s would probably have sufficed...

[cumbrianmale]

I use Volvo coolant and change every 2 years. Just use tap water in the redblock, we are a soft water area, but always used distilled in the whiteblock.

[OldBlueVolvo]

Originally Posted by StanC

Volvo don't include coolant flush/change in their service schedules, claiming that their blue/green coolant (anti-freeze) will last the life of the vehicle.

Flushing isn't mentioned but changing the coolant is.
These files are from one of the 740/760 green manuals...

[StanC]

Thanks, everyone. Looks like I'll continue to change it - because it WILL bug me if I don't!!

That's an interesting page in the 740/760 green manuals - it's the first Volvo publication I've seen with any reference to coolant change. Recommending every 30k miles as it does suggests every 2-3 years. I wonder why Volvo are so inconsistent about it - either it needs to be done or it doesn't and it certainly appears nowhere in the whiteblock service schedules that I've seen.

Anyway, thanks again.

Stan.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by StanC

Hi All,

Volvo don't include coolant flush/change in their service schedules, claiming that their blue/green coolant (anti-freeze) will last the life of the vehicle.

As an engineer I've always felt dubious about this - glycol antifreeze doesn't lose its anti-freezing properties, but it's corrosion-protection properties do decline with age. So, for the past thirty-odd years of owning Volvo's, I have changed the coolant (using distilled water in the mix) every two years. My 1996 960 (140,00 miles) needed some cylinder head work last year and with the head off and the internals exposed my regular coolant changes were vindicated by the as-new, perfectly clean, corrosion-free state of all the visible water channels.

As I get older, though, things like coolant changes become a bit of a pain and I'm wondering if I really do need to do this every two years. The subject doesn't seem to have been aired in the Forum recently and I just wondered if there is any 'latest thinking' on the subject of how long it's ok to leave Volvo blue/green coolant before changing it, whilst still completely protecting the engine from corrosion.

Thanks,
Stan.

Volvo used to recommend coolant changes up to the 1980's , then later they abandoned that as experience told them it wasnt necessary . The quality has always been maintained since the 1970's until the present day , although the coolant fitted in the factory in the last few years is not the same quality as that supplied by the parts department .. It can go off colour after about 3 years although it never alters its -35C freezing point , the corrosion inhibitors deteriorate , this is ONLY factory fitted coolant NOT the coolant you buy at the dealer . So if you have a newer volvo , change the coolant when it looses its bright colour , use a 50-50 mix , a good way of determining the quantity is to buy one less bottle than the number of engine cylinders ..
Otherwise volvo coolant does not require changing ... as long as it maintains its bright colour .

This is from my personal experience using it in my own cars for the last 38 years and seeing it all types of volvos over the same period .. so rest assured , if its still brightly coloured its ok!