Well tomorrow is the big day lmao. (Unless it's too damn cold supposed to be single digits, I think imma put a space heater in the garage or something...)

So the bleeder should be facing the front of the car. That means both you and the tutorials have the same information. I'll go ahead and do that...

 

Ok, I guess I'm going to do it today.

To drain the coolant, I just open up the too "petcocks" and then drain correct? After that I just fill up the coolant reservoir in the engine bay, and that's it right?

My friend said I had to make sure I don't get air in there, is there some kind of speciail technique I should use to prevent that?

Also, is there any speciail hints/tips that you guys got? I'm thinking if I gotta drain it to change the t-stat, I might as well do the entire thing.

 

Check out this thread

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index...;hl=thermostat

 

^LoL, that guy said to drain the coolant right onto the ground. HUGE NO-NO.

How important is that longer t40? I spent all day and I got a regular t-40...Everyone keeps saying it's incredibly important, but it doesn't look like you need it that bad...

 

I use a short one all the time with no problems.
When you fill it up test drive it good then recheck the coolant.
If you fill the bottle all the wya to the top when filling when the thermostat open the bottle will be just about empty.

 

Hello Jimmy,

I did the following:

1. Coolant change with Prestone, 50/50. You might want to go with 55/45 in MN.
2. T-stat + O-ring change, as well as putting some paste gasket between the housings.
3. Replaced upper & lower radiator hoses (the lower was a PITA), as well as all hoses that attach to the expansion tank and all hose clamps.
4. Replaced the expansion tank + cap with green cap.
*Water pump was done when I did the timing belt.

As Tech has noted, fill the system up to MAX for the first time only. Drive the car and you'll see the idiot light turning on, due to the T-stat opening and allowing coolant recirculation. When you see the light, stop the car and fill the system up to between MAX & MIN. Let the car sit overnight and expect the coolant level to drop, thenrefill up to the level between MAX & MIN again. Do not refill up to the MAX line at this point, because it will overflow when the engine gets hot.

To avoid getting air in the system, refill coolant slowly.

I don't know why your everyone else kept telling you to get longer T40. Like Tech, I used regular T40 with an extension bar.

After done, bring old coolant to a local recovery center (some auto parts store take coolant).


JPN

 

^You're right a long t-40 isn't that important. I got mine out fine.

However, when I was changing my coolant, it seems I only got 1/2 of it out. I drained the engine and radiator. Where could the other half be??

Edit: Oh yeah, I mixed two kinds of "Peak" antifreeze, however, they are different colors but both of them say all makes ane models. I should be ok right?

I followed your instructions JPN. I drove it around a while, and refilled. I was reading some sites which said I need to remove the radiator cap to release pressure and get the air out. My guard is in the way, and I don't want to take it off. Am I going to be ok?

 

Hi Jimmy,

>However, when I was changing my coolant, it seems I only got 1/2 of it out. I drained the engine and >radiator. Where could the other half be??

In the oil pan[8D]

Just kidding Did you turn the heater to the hottest setting? If this is not done, some coolant sits in the heater core. I also got about 2/3 when I did mine. Wait till Tech gives us some eye-popping reason Some also might be sitting in the lower radiator hose or wherever they can hide.

>remove the radiator cap to release pressure and get the air out
Harry Potter would have said "Ridiculus!" with a wave of the wand.

The air will eventually be all forced out, as the expansion tank sits at the highest point of the system, and the next time you open the cap for top-up. Just keep an eye on the coolant level for the next few days and expect a little more to drop, which is normal. The above method might have worked for some, but it's something I wouldn't do, especially when the engine is hot[:@].

Just make sure that the final coolant level is between MAX & MIN, I filled mine about 1" above the MIN mark. I once filled to the FULL mark when the engine was cold, as Haynes told me to. The next thing I knew, the expansion tank was erupting[8D].

-ADDITION-
These days many coolant says they can be mixed with different colours. It is ok, as the colouring agent is just for an identification purpose. Most cars use green, some use red (Toyota seems to use red) or even yellow. As long as the major ingredients are the same, it should be fine.


JPN

 

The coolant sits in the bottom of the block.
The drian on the block is about even with the top of the pistons.
You have the rest of the block still holding the coolant.

Just drive the car and add fluid as needed.
I never have any problems. I just fill it up all the way to the top almost to it overflows.
Install cap and drive. Then top off as needed.

Mixing them will be ok.

 

Yeah, I'm so stupid about mixing them...

My chemistry teacher told me that Ethylene Glycol/antifreeze actually has no color.

Back in teh 80's or whatever, they had it and everyone thought it was water, so people didn't think it was that important to use it. They added some color and suddenly the number of cars which overheated went down drastically.

 

>The drain on the block is about even with the top of the pistons.
>You have the rest of the block still holding the coolant.

I somehow thought that the drain was located a bit too high on the block, compared to other cars. So that was its secret hiding place! Don't be shy and come on out, you little coolant!

FYI, Volvo strongly recommends that you use Volvo Original Coolant or they won't talk to you[8D].


JPN

 

^Screw them, I'm a cheap guy. I got the cheapest coolant possible LOL.

The reason why I mixed was because I found some at walmart, and I got that, thinking I wasn't gonna drain everything...

Then I went to Target later in the day to pick up another plastic container (to drain the coolant), while I was there I saw more coolant and since it was cheap, I got that too. LOL.

 

Oh yeah, my temp guage is still reading a hair above 3 o'clock...

 

That might just be normal for the car.
Does the heat and everything work normally?

 

^Yeah, everything works normal.

Actually......I think the t-stat made the heat better (although that just might be placebo)...I could feel the feet/leg heat today... Usually it doesn't blow that strong/hot..

 

See what the next day or 2 brings

 

One question though before I forget...Should I leave the cap off overnight to get all the air out, or how should i do it?

I've got a bottle of peak in my car incase that light comes on. Hahah.

 

Leave it on.