1995 850 GLT wagon, live in central new york just made it through another winter. I went to check the oil the other day and along the dipstick there was a milky white residue along the stick so i cleaned it, dipped again and after a couple of times eventually there wasn't any more residue and just the golden brown oil on the bottom of the dipstick's gauge. There wasn't any residue on the bottom of the dipstick just along the top of it, any ideas what could cause this? maybe from snow or ice melting?

I also just had what appears to be a radiator crack just today. The engine started smoking well idling in a parking lot, and the engine temp slightly started to rise so i shut the car off popped the hood and there was coolant everywhere towards the front of the car. Scared me at first thinking that it was a head gasket, but when i put water in the coolant tank it came pouring out from the radiator so it must be cracked. I just replace the radiator 2 winters ago, is this a common thing?

 

is it possible that a cracked head gasket could cause the pressure to build up in the radiator and crack it?

 

The emulsified appearance on the dipstick is probably of no concern; it is a known symptom for the 850s. It seems more pronounced in colder climate + repeated short trips combination. Take her for a good half-hour freeway driving and get the engine up to the normal operating temp.

I would replace the radiator with high-quality unit. I am not sure who the OEM MFG is, but it seems a brand called Nissens seems like the OEM. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

When servicing Volvo, do not cheap out on poor quality aftermarket parts that are made in God knows which country.

This is also a good time to replace the thermostat (if not done within the last 6 years/60,000 miles), all rubber hoses and the expansion reservoir cap. Fill with name-brand's coolant (Prestone, Zerex, etc... genuine Volvo coolant is not mandatory), in mid NY a 50:50 mixture should be good for all year around. After that, I would replace the coolant at every 3 years/30,000 miles unless you fill with longer-life coolant.

The 850's cooling system is a unique, closed system and it does not have a bleed port. Fill from the reservoir until full, then start the engine and drive around slowly until the idiot light (low coolant warning) turns on. Then, stop the car with the engine running, put a damp cloth over the reservoir cap and slowly remove it and re-fill with coolant. Repeat this step as required, and re-check after a night's rest. Service manuals tell you to fill up to the MAX line when cold, but mine used to overflow so I only fill between MAX & MIN marks.


JPN

 

Like JPN says, don't worry about the milky oil. It is common for some reason. Get it warm and it should go away. Ours has done it every winter for three years now

 

My 98 V70 started doing this recently. Same exact symptoms. It's not using any oil or anything. My first thought was cracked head/gasket. But no white smoke, runs great.

Hopefully it's like the 850's. Anyone witness this on their V70'S?

 

I have an '97 850 n/a wagon. It's had this issue with the white/foamy oil on the dipstick for as long as I've owned it (60,000 miles or so). It's only in cold weather, and it's only if the car's been parked for awhile. I wouldn't worry about it.