The radiator of my 1996 Volvo 850 leaks coolant very slowly.
I can see the leak spots.
The two vertical sides of the radiatorare plastic.
The center portion is metal.
on the passenger side, where the plastic sidesmeets the metal portion -- the seals is no longer tight.
The coolant is leaking from that gap.
Is there some kind of gasket that fills this gap?
I prefer not to replace the radiator.
Is there a way to tighten this gap?

I would like to post a photo, but not sure how to do it.

 

Have you though about epoxy?

 

You could try some radiator stop leak. This might help if they are very small leaks. At this point it couldn't hurt and if it doesn't work you haven't wasted a lot of money. For total peace of mind however, a new radiator would be the way to go.

 

The stop leak can be a good solution. Sometimes it can last many years. I like the "Bars-Leak".

John

 

Sorry I would just bite the bullet and replace it.
I have seen the stop leak clog the systems up.

 

I have used stop leak stuff very successfully in American Cars, but never tried in any of my Voklvo's that I can remember. Kind of like I will use Fix-a-flat on my tractor, my trailer, old clunker cars but no way would that stuff ever be put into the tires of a Volvo.

 

If you know where the leak is then why no apply epoxy? It has great temperature and pressure resistance. I don't know about resistance to vibration though, but I suppose it would be ok.

 

The leak is probably where the plastic tank is crimped to the metal structure of the radiator.

You can try "fixing" it, but in my experience they don't work. Replacement is the way to go if you can swing it.

The top 2 worst things you can do to your 850 is overheat it, and break a timing belt! I personally don't let my car, or a customers car gamble with a possible overheating situation.

 

I have removed radiator cooling fan assembly and now I can see the whole radiator.
There seems to be no leak anywhere in the metal part, except for one area (see the circled area in the photo). I opened up the area, 'cause I was losing coolant a lot...and I'm planning to replace all hoses + radiator. But just curious why the circled area has some coolant in it and if I need a new radiator for sure.

Thanks for your advices

96 Volvo 850 Turbo - 126K miles

 

What you have circled is the condenser.
But not sure how coolant got there.

 

I had no idea what the circled area was and thanks for the clarification, Tech!

There used to be a pin hole leak by the upper hose in the plastic housing area where I could see coolant leaking down...and I thought I tried radiator sealant temporarily. It did the job for a week or so, and all of a sudden, it was losing lot more coolant. My assumption is that perhaps there was a hairline crack in the plastic housing area...which was squirting coolant to the circled area, and that may be how the coolant made to the condenser? Honestly, I have no idea how the coolant made to the condenser.

I'm gonna bite the bullet and replace the radiator anyway along with all hoses + thermostat + new Volvo coolant, but out of my own curiosity, do I really need a new radiator?

Ozark Lee replied to my previous inquiry (Thanks Lee!!!) about removing the tranny+ oil connectors off the radiator, but I do need some additional information. What type and size of snap ring plier(s) are recommended for this job? I know it is a pretty silly question, but I never had to use this tool until now and have no idea how this tool works either... I tried to find some off of eBay, but there really are lots of choices and I have no idea which one to get. Would autozone have it in their loaner tools, does anyone by chance know?

Finally, I am planning to remove the radiator from the top (instead of dropping it through the bottom), mainly due to lack of space/tools in my garage. If the circled area is condenser, I should be extremely careful around that area when I take the radiator out from the top, shouldn't I? Any advices?

Volvo is a great car, but it is not as easy to maintain as some older cars I used to own with lots of room. I'm also replacing my Starter and it took me a few hours to locate the unit, and took another few hours to finally get'em off the Volvo this morning. I will take care of Starter first and move onto radiator.

Thanks a million!

 

The only way to know 100% sure if it is the radiator you would have to pressurize the system and see where it is leaking from.

For the snap ring pliers about a medium size one should be fine but it has to work back words from regular pliers.

Yes be careful not to hurt the condensor. I cannot help much about taking it out the top I always drop it out the bottom.

 

Being a novice in this area, I have to ask many silly questions. Sorry!

I have ordered a new radiator and starter this morning...
and I was trying to order 4 snap ring(s) for the oil / tranny line @ radiator, and the fcpgroton.com site has a clamp/seal kit that include 2 of turbo oil cooler hose snap ring + O-ring + seal + clamps. Do I need 2 of this kits to install a new radiator (2 for engine oil and 2 for transmission fluid)? Or can I get by with just 4 snap rings? I was hoping to see lower price, but $8.00 for a piece of snap ring at fcpgroton.com was more than I expected. Does local autopart like Autozone have a better price, you know?

Thanks!

 

I have finished installing radiator and there seems to be a something missing (please see the circled area in the attached photo). This is taken from the right front side of the car this morning.
I thought I put together everything as the way it was and there is no loose cable/connector that would fit in this spot. What goes into this circled area? Or is this alright as is?



Thanks!

96 Volvo 850 Turbo - 126K miles

 

As I do not have the 850 at hand, I am not sure if the port has any role. See attached; courtesy of eEuroparts.


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/15B13C0F0A1C4968BB678AA60C7C338F.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks JPN for your reply!
It appears to be for one of the engine vacuum lines, but I don't see any loose ones anywhere.
I will keep looking for any loose ones and hopefully one of the 1996 850 Turbo model owner will get back to me with some advices.

Thanks again and good day,

1996 850 Turbo - 126K miles

 

The missing line goes to the Evap canister. You car could have the canister in the L/S wheel well or in the back under the car.

There is a bigger black hose that should be hanging somewhere under the car there. If you do not have the canister in the whell well then look under the car as the hose runs to the R/S and goes along the subframe to hte back of the car.

 

Thanks! I've got that taken care of already!
Your reply just confirmed that I did the job right.

I was also going to replace O-ring and gasket for turbo oil return line, but the area looked very clean. However, my volvo seems to havelots ofoil leakage just above the oil filter area. Is this where oil pump is? How big a job is to get this taken care of? Is this another common problem area for Volvo?

Replacing a starter, radiator (I drop it per your advice), all radiator hoses and cleaning/reinstalling turbo intercooler hoses were major PITA due to tight space...and I'm going to keep adding oil until I'm ready to tackle this one.

Thanks again!


1996 Volvo 850 Turbo - 126K miles

 

The vent box might be leaking. The oil pump is behind the crank pulley.

 

Thanks Tech for your advice!
Is this Vent box something that can be cleaned and reinstalled, or should it be replaced?
Haveany recommended procedure(s) for this job? I've justlocated some of your old post on this subject and I'm gonna read more about it.

Thanks again!

1996 Volvo 850 Turbo - 126K miles