My daughter was driving our 2000 V40 wagon 1.9L Turbo when it stopped and white smoke was all over the engine bay. She immediately stopped the car and it was towed home. Once the tow truck was gone, I checked the car for oil spillage and checked the oil levels. Everything looked ok except for some liquid that looked like coolant all over the engine bay. I started the engine and the car was idling good and no knocking noise was present. Noticed that the reservoir water levels were low but the temperature was less than a quarter of the gauge. when feeling around the hoses, the upper radiator hose started spewing white smoke. Further investigation revealed that the upper radiator hose from the “v” connection side came off due to age and deterioration of the material. I parked the car from where the tow truck dropped it and after noting that the engine was running well and no knocking sound, turned the engine off. i removed the hose and went ahead and ordered the replacement with new clamps and the coolant.

After 4 days, the parts arrived and I proceeded to install the new upper radiator hose. After checking to make sure I have no other visible issues I checked the engine oil levels and saw that everything looked normal, I tried to start the engine. The engine would turn over like it is getting ready to start but at the last minute, it would not. In the meantime, the coolant level in the reservoir keeps going low. I saw that while the car is cranking, the water from the reservoir tank would bubble up and squirt if I was to remove the cover. If trying to crank with cover on, the pressure would build up and then water would get sucked into the reservoir and lower the coolant levels again.

As far as I know, the car did not overheat and pressure was relieved by the upper hose coming off the system. However, the car will not start now and could not even do some of the testing that I was thinking of doing. Please help as this is my daughter’s only means of transport. All my kids grew up with Volvos and are driving Volvos of their own now (Between my wife, 4 kids, and myself, we have 8 Volvos). This is the only time I’ve seen an issue like this so truly appreciate any help.

Best regards,
Silverkross

 

Sorry but you have a blown head gasket. And unfortunately to remove, straighten, (valve job needed after that), and reassemble can cost twice as much as the car is worth.

"Bubble up, squirt with cap off, pressure builds up, coolant level keeps going low" - that means compression/combustion gasses are being forced into the cooling system hopefully only from a breached head gasket. I have seen a cracked cylinder in a sv40 - similar to what happens to the R engines. If you are wondering why the engine won't start now - drain the cooling system , remove and clean the plugs to get the coolant off of them, spin the engine over without plugs to get the rest of the coolant out of the cylinders and if you can get it dry enough - i'd bet it might start without coolant getting into the cylinders.

Make sure her next car has a low coolant warning system. Volvo did not put in on a few models and the v40 is one of those.

- Sorry for your loss.