Hi everyone,

So I'm having an issue with my 2007 S60R, and before bringing it to my mechanic (who I don't really trust) and spending a few thousand more on fixing it, I wanted to get some feedback from the r/Volvo community.

Earlier this week I was driving to a meeting with a client when the dreaded red triangle illuminated my dash with a warning saying "low coolant, stop engine" (YIKES). I had happened to be in traffic on the highway so double yikes... Oddly enough, a short while later, the light went off and the warning went away...

My car has given me warnings before that had disappeared shortly after, so I chalked it up to some random error or electrical failure of some kind. Nonetheless, after getting to the nearest rest stop, I checked the coolant levels... they were normal, right between max and min... I topped off the coolant after my meeting and drove home.

The next morning I checked the coolant, it was EMPTY after being FULL the night before... so I topped it off again, started up the car... Boy, I thought the motor was destroyed. It was a ROUGH and LOUD startup. The car was shaking.... So I shut it off, plugged in my FIXD sensor, and started the car back up. I got the codes P0300, P0301 & P0303 - Cylinder Misfires. I shut the engine off again, turned it back on and suddenly it was running fine... smooth with no misfires, no roughness, no shaking...

Over the last two days since, the coolant warning will go on, then off again. Today it started with an empty tank of coolant. I didn't move the car at all, and went back later in the day and the reservoir was FULL. What the HECK is happening!? It seems the coolant is just moving on it's own and i'm so confused.

Also, I'm noticing that when I accelerate quickly in 4th and 5th gear from about 2500 to 3500 RPM, the engine falters and stutters a bit... assuming it's the cylinder misfires?

I'm reading on sweedespeed and reddit that I could have anything from a cracked block, cracked sleeve, or blown head gasket. But looking to get more feedback... My friend has said it may be air in my coolant system... maybe it's leaking into the engine??? I have no idea.

This is my main car... I LOVE my S60R, and I'm trying to make him last for a few more years (before I buy electric). I have 230k miles on it, and it runs reliably and beautifully most of the time... so fun to drive.

I have no mods on it, stock everything. Had the oil changed recently at Valvoline... the guy asked me if i wanted my coolant changed for $100... I said no thanks... now this is happening... wondering if he messed with my car...

I can do some work myself within reason, but I'm trying to troubleshoot this on my own before going to this mechanic again, as mentioned.

If anyone has any ideas... I'd love to hear feedback!

Thanks!!

 

Yes you have those symptoms, (combustion gasses filling the cooling system, missfires as the coolant is forced into the cylinder, extremely high pressure when removing cap sometimes - what does it smell like in the coolant bottle? Usually there will be an unusual ordor) Unfortunately if it's a cracked sleeve you are looking at $$$$ to fix it.

 

If there are no external leaks, it definitely sounds like it's getting into the cylinders. That will be expensive no matter what.