Hello, just got a 1989 volvo 240. drove for a little bit (.75 mile). stopped to drop a kid off. noticed my car was smoking, from underneath the hood, white smoke, water.

Is that hole at the top missing something?

 

There is a plastic plug that is supposed to be in there.Some also have a sensor that goes in there. The sensor is just a hole filler.

 

But what happened to you transmission oil cooler lines?

 

tech - thank you.
TestPoint - do you mean to tell me I'm missing other things too? I just got the car. Please inform me. Are the two brass plugs supposed to be threading to something?

Also, if anyone has a picture or diagram of what a properly installed radiator looks like (and where the missing lines go to) that would be very helpful; or a recommendation for a manual (like the Haynes ones).

--san

 

Is you car a manual transmission car?
If it is an Automatic there is supposed to be transmission lines going to the Brass fittings.
But if it is a manual transmission car then someone just put an Automatic transmission radiator in the car.
1274052 is the OEM part number for the plastic plug that goes into the hole. 1378869 is the OEM part number for the rubber part. I would get one of each and install them. Also work a wire tie in through the fins and around the tank and tighten it against the plug to make sure it stays in.

 

tech - Thank you! What a relief! It's a manual. Thank you for your detailed instructions. --san

 

Your welcome anytime.

 

That's an excellent idea! I've often wondered why they weren't bonded in at the factory actually.

Regards, Andrew.

 

I am not sure why they never did that either. I have been doing the wire tie idea for years.

 

Seems like this is the piece that flew off:



Does that mean that it could potentially be swinging from a cord (going to the radiator fan) somewhere in the engine?

 

If you have an electric cooling fan you might have the sensor hanging. If not then you had the plastic plug only.