V70: Strange cooling issue

[malc-c]

1999 V70 2.5 10v non turbo:

Not sure if it's general evaporation, or a very small leak, but I typically top up the coolant every four / five months or so. It's normally just a small amount in the header tank so we're not talking gallons !

On Wednesday I did a round trip of three - four miles and the coolant warning light flashed on / then off / then back on again. I was less than a mile from home, so wasn't that concerned and kept an eye on the temp gauge which remained level between the ranges. I parked up and left the car overnight.

Yesterday I went out to top up the coolant and noticed a dinner plate sized damp spot under the car. On inspection it was still wet and contained anti-freeze. There was water dripping off the plastic underskirt when it was moved down. This was in the area of where the bottom hose is connected. So I get the ramps out and put the car up on them. I then spend half an hour searching for my spanners to no joy (no doubt my son has them !). So I top up the coolant, take the car off ramp and shoot down to B&Q as planned to get the timber I needed and pick up a set of spanners. This was pretty much the same journey as before. I got home and left the car over night as I had other jobs to do rather than crawl under a hot car on a hot day.

I've just been out to inspect the car, anticipating the same puddle, but the car is bone dry. No leak, no puddle, and the skirt under the car is dry to the touch. Coolant level is fine and unchanged from yesterday.

Naturally I'll keep an eye on things, but I'm really puzzled. Anyone else experienced similar issue, or have any suggestions as to what may have been the problem

[Clan]

Originally Posted by malc-c

1999 V70 2.5 10v non turbo:

Not sure if it's general evaporation, or a very small leak, but I typically top up the coolant every four / five months or so. It's normally just a small amount in the header tank so we're not talking gallons !

On Wednesday I did a round trip of three - four miles and the coolant warning light flashed on / then off / then back on again. I was less than a mile from home, so wasn't that concerned and kept an eye on the temp gauge which remained level between the ranges. I parked up and left the car overnight.

Yesterday I went out to top up the coolant and noticed a dinner plate sized damp spot under the car. On inspection it was still wet and contained anti-freeze. There was water dripping off the plastic underskirt when it was moved down. This was in the area of where the bottom hose is connected. So I get the ramps out and put the car up on them. I then spend half an hour searching for my spanners to no joy (no doubt my son has them !). So I top up the coolant, take the car off ramp and shoot down to B&Q as planned to get the timber I needed and pick up a set of spanners. This was pretty much the same journey as before. I got home and left the car over night as I had other jobs to do rather than crawl under a hot car on a hot day.

I've just been out to inspect the car, anticipating the same puddle, but the car is bone dry. No leak, no puddle, and the skirt under the car is dry to the touch. Coolant level is fine and unchanged from yesterday.

Naturally I'll keep an eye on things, but I'm really puzzled. Anyone else experienced similar issue, or have any suggestions as to what may have been the problem

There is most likely a leak at the bottom corner of the radiator not far from where the bottom hose comes out . you need to pressurise the cooling system overnight and take a look underneath around the bottom corners of the Radiator in the morning ..

[malc-c]

Thanks for the advice.

The radiator was only fitted three years ago. Granted it was an aftermarket part to replace the OEM part that have been on the car for years. If these radiators are only going to last 3 years then maybe investing in OEM might be a cheaper alternative in the long run.

[DaveNP]

I've had an 850 and a V70 leak from the join between the aluminium core and the plastic end tanks of the radiator, only happened when it was warming up or cooling down so a long run didn't lose any more than a short run, and as the rad got hot the small amount of leakage dried away so not easily spotted after the event.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by malc-c

Thanks for the advice.

The radiator was only fitted three years ago. Granted it was an aftermarket part to replace the OEM part that have been on the car for years. If these radiators are only going to last 3 years then maybe investing in OEM might be a cheaper alternative in the long run.

you get what you pay for with volvo parts ... anyway you have not diagnosed it yet :-)

[malc-c]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

I've had an 850 and a V70 leak from the join between the aluminium core and the plastic end tanks of the radiator, only happened when it was warming up or cooling down so a long run didn't lose any more than a short run, and as the rad got hot the small amount of leakage dried away so not easily spotted after the event.

Originally Posted by Clan

There is most likely a leak at the bottom corner of the radiator not far from where the bottom hose comes out . you need to pressurise the cooling system overnight and take a look underneath around the bottom corners of the Radiator in the morning ..

You guys must have been polishing your crystal balls....

Having bought a spanner set to replace the one my son nicked I dropped the skirt and inspected the underside. There was a small patch of wetness to the off side. I looked and felt around the bottom hose and radiator core, all was dry and good. Started up the car and let it warm up, watching the off side side of the radiator, and sure enough a couple of drips formed.

It was dripping from the part where the black side panel of the radiator fixes to the bottom of the rad. I did try and get a photo, but the battery died (I had left it on standby since using it two days ago !) On this radiator there looks to be small lugs that are folded around the seam, which as it's the lowest point, is where the water drips from.

Presumably the only fix is a new rad....

[Baffler]

I recently replaced the radiator on our C70 Auto as it had the exact symptom you describe. Volvo wanted €300+VAT (P/N 36000001) so, given the positive reviews by some, I tried to order a "Nissens" rad through a local motor factors but in the end a rad manufactured by "JDEUS" turned up. Not too impressed as it doesn't come with the drain valve like the Volvo rad and one connection (return to expansion tank) is showing signs of leakage even after giving it a nip-up. What do I expect for €140...

It wasn't until I removed the original I discovered the genuine Volvo rad is manufactured by VALEO

[malc-c]

Thanks for the info.

The rad currently in the car has an NRF part number, and googling that number does indeed bring up a radiator.

Seems their head office is in the Netherlands, with a UK office. Not sure what sort of reputation NRF have for aftermarket parts. The rad only lasted three years having been fitted on 23/6/2016. Car has only done around 15K - 18K since then. I had the car since 2007 and clocked up 40+K between 2007 and 2016, but can't say the radiator was the original from new, but it was an OEM part. I guess as Clan says, you get what you pay for.

[malc-c]

I've been phoning around this morning and I can get a Nissens radiator for £117 which seems a decent price compared to the NRF of £108. Just waiting for a call back from a local independent volvo specialist for a price of supply and supply and fit for way of comparison.

[malc-c]

Received a price for fitting a genuine OEM part and for fitting an aftermarket radiator by my local independent Volvo specialist. £397.80 and £292.20 respectively.

I opted to get the Nissens radiator for £117 and a 5ltr container of antifreeze. So the car was placed up on the ramps, drained and then the old rad removed. Fitted the new rad and mixed up a 50:50 ratio of antifreeze with pure RO water (the advantages of running a marine reef tank). Having filled the system I let the car warm up until the fan cut in to verify everything was connected. I then took the car on a short drive (to the local tip to recycle the old radiator), and as I pulled in the coolant light came on, so I carefully released the reservoir cap which released a bit of air, and then I was able to top up with another 500ml of coolant.

I'll carry a 2 ltr coke bottle with a 50:50 mix around with me for a few days just in case there are a few more air pockets that bleed out, but other than that it's done - and only took me a couple of hours from start to finish (I had replaced the old corroded bolts with stainless steel nuts and bolts last time I replaced the original radiator, so that made things quicker).

So quite pleased with the way things went. Hopefully the levels will soon sort themselves out as the air gets dispersed. I was pleased with the Nissens radiator, and hopefully it will last a lot longer than the NRF I fitted 3 years ago.