Hey everyone,

I have a 1998 V70 GLT, which is a 2WD Turbo 2.3, if I am not mistaken. I have a couple of questions. As I posted elsewhere, I think that my expansion tank and/or cap might be leaking or cracked; for a moment I was afraid that it could have been the head gasket or some other dire failure, but the car works like a charm, and there is no oil in the coolant or water in the engine; instead, I get a coolant odor inside the cabin now and then. I checked the carpeting to see if it was the heater core, but that wasn't the problem either.
I think that the problem is the expansion tank because there is evidence of dried coolant underneath it, and I can also hear a slight sibilant noise coming off the cap when the car is warm (I have to put my ear close to the expansion tank).

In any event, I was getting ready to change both the tank and cap, when I saw that many more-experienced forum members recommend also changing the thermostat at the same time. So my two questions are:

1. Which temperature thermostat do I get (FCP Groton's has three: 87, 92, and 107 degrees; I live in Tucson, Arizona which can get pretty damn hot in the summer, if that makes a difference).

2. I noticed that one of the torx bolts that hold the thermostat in place is kind of stripped (from previous owner). What is the recommended way of getting it out? Should I buy new torx bolts, or maybe hex bolts, to avoid this problem in the future? (Why Volvo would use torx heads with such large bolts is something I can't understand).

As usual, I thank you for your time and I appreciate your input.

P.S. I apologize for the long preface .

 

BUMP.

 

You can get new screws from either Volvo which are now made better or just put Hex head screws in there.
Me I would buy new ones from Volvo. I like to keep things original like that.

Make sure you have a good brand Torxes socket and pray the screw will come right out.
I think the 87 might be the best way to go.

 

Thanks for the answer Tech.

What do I do if the screw is too stripped to come out, that is if I can't get it to turn with a torx socket? I have a set of those Craftsman bits that are supposed to hold on to stripped screws, but I don't want to do anything without being sure.

 

That might work. Just Please becareful. The thermostat housings are known for breaking off the head if they are tapped top hard with a hammer and a chisel or something like that.

So tread lightly if you know what I mean.