New Volvo XC70 owner 04, all of a sudden coolant error came on and check engine. Pulled over and was leaking mostly on driver side but basically fluid looks like it’s coming from whole bottom of radiator. Vehicle did NOT overheat. Temp gauge needle was in middle. No steam and no noticeable steam or broken hoses. However, everything is all covered up.
Purchased radiator, but need guidance on thermostat and if anyone else had this issue all of a sudden. third owner and this is original radiator.

 

How do you know it's the radiator? You need to tear in to it and find out where it's leaking before buying parts. Could be a simple hose.

 

The cover under the radiator is held in by 2 screws on either side and some clips you need to press in towards the outsides of the car as well, near the fog lights. As ChopperMan said, how do you know its the radiator? And what would the thermostat have to do with it? Although both are pretty easy to replace. Like he said, check around to see where the leak actually is before just going and swapping parts. The cooling system is pretty simple.

 

I’m under the impression that you usually replace the thermostat when you replace the radiator if you already have the parts off. No hoses were busted.

 

thank you for response. Thermostat is already removed and hoses checked. Friend said it sounded like it cracked at the lower seam? I just didn’t know if this was an age thing with the radiator or if someone hit my car. No damage that I can see. Besides my Volvo logo that is encased in plastic is cracked. I can’t recall if it was when I purchased it. Have complete carfax no accidents and I haven’t been in one either. However Some of the plastic covers aren’t there on the cover when you pop the hood above the radiator area. But no real obvious signs of collision. Recent purchase so I have not looked that close yet.

 

When my radiator went, it also leaked on the seam between the plastic sides and the metal. I threw JB weld on it so I can safely drive it to my brothers garage 15min away and kept an eye on the temp gauge. You do not want these cars overheating in the slightest. But yeah if you can see it leaking go ahead and replace. You don't need to touch the thermostat if its working fine and no leaks, if it is leaking, I would assume the gasket between the two housing pieces. The radiator can drop down out of the car with ease. I took the air pipe from the intercooler to the throttle body off and pulled the fan up and out and you have some room to get the radiator out the bottom. It's not a bad job at all. The tranny lines will leak some fluid when you take them out, so make sure you have something you can plug them with. I used these poly plugs I use when powder coating. I also replaced both upper and lower radiator hoses while doing the job. You don't need to touch the thermostat to do the radiator, but if you already have a new one on hand, I guess throw it in.

My car was an 06 and did this not long ago, so seems like it just went with age in both of our cases.