I just put a new radiator in my 2002 s60. Out of nowhere the oil pressure light comes on, and I noticed that the drive power was dropping fast. After I got home, I topped off the coolant, tried to start it, and a bunch of smoke (or steam) came from BEHIND the engine, where I hadn't even touched anything. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

First, are the two related. Was this during the test drive after installing the new radiator? If so, did you correctly fill and bleed the cooling system?


If the radiator was put in a couple days ago AND you did not disconnect or damage any other hoses in the area, the two are not related.


After the oil pressure light came on and you noticed a power drop, how much longer did you drive? You say you topped off the coolant, but did you check the oil level?


Please provide more details.

 

I just put it in today, and this was during the test drive, and I honestly didn't know anything about bleeding it, so I didn't do that at all. I only drove maybe a quarter of a mile after the oil pressure light came on because the temp gauge went up pretty quickly, so I coasted it home.
I noticed the lower hose on the driver's side wasn't clamped well, so it leaked there, but other than that, I'm baffled.
The oil level seemed okay when I checked it after the drive.

 

Over heating an engine can cause serious damage. Check the oil and adjust level as needed. Hopefully, it was just hot and not going through a melt down.


Tighten all the clamps and fill it up with coolant mix. Here is a link to a video on flushing since it covers what you need to know for the pressurized system. Bleed or Burp out air.


http://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2004_Volvo_S60_2.5T_AWD_2.5L_5_Cyl._Turbo/coolant_antifreeze/flush_coolant


Carry extra coolant in the vehicle and check often until you know the level has stabilized.

 

Thank you.

 

I think these are unrelated incidents, just coincidental timing. The car overheating is expected if the coolant was not bled after you installed the radiator. Have you tried to start the vehicle since bleeding the coolant and has the oil pressure warning light come back?