Hi,

I noticed that my Volvo 244 Diesel D20 (Volkswagen engine) is leaking Coolant. About every two weeks / 1000kms I need to refill 1 litre.

Also the car is smoking heavily the first 30 secs, longer on cold days. The smoke has a grey color.

I have the idea the head gasket is leaking or some other malfunction in the head. Does anyone know what is a common failure with these engines? Is there a way for me to find out what the exact problems is without disassemble the engine?

Please let me know if more info is required.

Thanks!

 

coolant being burned in the combustion chamber comes out the exhaust as white smoke not gray. I am guessing you have two problems.

1. The missing coolant

2. something gone wrong in the fuel system that is causing smoke.

For the smoke it could be injection pump timing, or deposits in the engine or many other things. I know that on the Benz 240 the injection pump had a rubber diaphram like thing in it hat would get holes in and cause that. Plus they needed Valve adjustments every so often.

I don't know much about Volvo diesel(or any diesel engines for that matter(though I would love a 240D or 300D(up to 1985) Benz ) but I would look to the fuel delivery system in the car for the smoke issues.

The coolant could still be leaking into your crankcase so check your oil. Also check all hoes and radiator. Perhaps a leakdye kit might work for you? I got kit for $20 at autozone and it came with the dye, UV light and glasses. YOu poured the leak dye into the radiator/overflow tank and drove it a day or so and then hit the engine with the UV light and you will see the leak glow

Good luck

 

If you don't have en EXTERNAL leak, then you have an INTERNAL leak, i.e. a head gasket. If the gray/white smoke is a recent occurrence, then I'd look at the HG...