I have an '03 XC90 that now has 80k miles. Recently it has started using coolant but we cannot determine where or how. It doesn't leak when parked in the garage overnight and it doesn't appear to be in the oil like a blown head gasket will do.

It has now been in two shops and one Volvo dealership and still no answer. We went ahead and replaced the water pump, t-stat and timing belt but problem still exists. It has been pressure tested, emissions, compression tested, and even had the cylinders scoped through the plug ports. Still no solution.

Anyone ever experience anything like this????

 

It's not leaking coolant into the passenger compartment like from a leaking heater core is it?

 

No, it isn't. We also no that it isn't coming out of the tailpipe like a blown head gasket.

 

I own an 04 xc90 and it has had the same problem for about 3 months. Not bad at first but lately its been losing alot. 1 independent shop and 3x to Volvo and nothing. No one can find the leak. Did you ever get your problem fixed?

 

Transmission maybe? The trans cooler may have come apart internally and coolant can be leaking in.

 

My XC90 was leaking coolant, my local dealer replaced the Radiator. Still leaking, the mechanic then suggested the reservoir tank, but I fixed it myself with a $8 Radiator Cap from auto parts store. The cap was suppose to release air when pressure reached 22PSI, when the cap got old, they started releasing air and coolant at much lower pressure.

 

Where is the radiator cap on 2004 XC90

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenXC90

My XC90 was leaking coolant, my local dealer replaced the Radiator. Still leaking, the mechanic then suggested the reservoir tank, but I fixed it myself with a $8 Radiator Cap from auto parts store. The cap was suppose to release air when pressure reached 22PSI, when the cap got old, they started releasing air and coolant at much lower pressure.

Interesting. My problem's symptoms could be explained by a pressure build-up. Coolant reservoir leaks only after driving, BUT not always, evidently.

 

on the coolant overflow tank. that's where it is on most european cars.