All,

Last April I had my 1985 Volvo 240 "summarized" with a new air conditioner and coolant added for the radiator. I am in the hot south and we have had a couple of sweltering past 2 weeks with the temps consistently in the high 90s. My car recently overheated and started smoking. Water added to the coolant system revealed a leak in the radiator. The mechanic at the shop just called to tell me I will need a new radiator. When I asked him why the coolant didn't prevent the overheating, he said that coolant does not prevent this in older cars. Is this true?

Thanks,
Amelia.

 

Well if there is no or low coolant in any year car, it will overheat. Are you sure the radiator was leaking? Mechanics will say anything to replace expensive stuff.