Tom, Sure thing!



Weezy,
Bingo! I've used many types of coolants, from Petronas's, Toyota LLC (SUPPOSEDLY called Long-Life Coolant. Yeah right.), locally produced (not known anywhere else in the world) NOVA, Bardahl, Volvo, and etc.

It's just the same thing. It's coolant. The ONLY reason why i stick with Volvo coolants is just due to the color. IF and WHEN it leaks, (it usually does in mine) at least i know what it is, just my looking at my floor where i parked the car. :)

(And dont tell Volvo, but something tells me their advice on 50:50 Volvo coolant and water is not useful words when it comes to a country as HOT as mine... We put more water in, and observed less cap leaks, etc...etc...etc...)

I called several local radiator repair shops this morning and they all told me that they don't recommend repairing the Volvo radiator; the consensus is that when the plastic tanks are removed it usually damages the tabs that hold the tank in place, and the radiator is toast. Could be that they just don't make enough $ to make it worth their while, but it sounds like repairing the radiator isn't really an option.

So back to plan A, replacing the radiator. I've put out a request to wrecking yards that carry Volvo parts to tell me what they want for a used radiator. I've put used radiators into a number of other cars that I've owned with good results, so if the cost differential between used and new/aftermarket is large enough I may go that route.

Thanks again for all the help, I'll report in when I make the decision of new vs. used. :57:

Sorry to hear that Tom, but in all honesty, i think you are right, they may not make as much dough, with replacing just the part, instead of the whole thing. But wait. Did you try a radiator specialist or the common workshop? A radiator specialist would be more than happy to do for you cos they already have the stuffs needed to carry out the repair. Plus, they normally clean out the inner parts as well, before they fixed everything back together.

Oh well.

Hope you find the best option.

Cheers, dude.
:)

Ok... radiator came and said made in South Africa... oh geez. The radiator is much heavier than the oem volvo unit. I think the volvo is all aluminum. This one is not.

Thanks to matt's volvo site for the procedure, I was able to remove the old one without a hitch. I hit a stumbling block with the new one, as the plastic hole in the radiator didn't line up with the condenser. 3/4 bolts fit, but the 1 was clearly about a 1/2" off and I had to drill it out.

The old thermostat was missing the plunger gasket and was always stuck open. After replacing the stat, the car heats up to normal quickly. The car reported over 31mpg yesterday, mostly highway miles, some traffic.

Of course it never ends.. Fix one problem, find a boatload more. The ebrake is useless... I think the cables are toast. The front motor mount is busted. (I can move the motor with a small crowbar next to the front mount) The upper torque stabilizer is also trashed. The outer cv on the left shaft is also trashed. The analog odometer/trip meter hasn't worked since 265k. The car was also 3qts low on oil. Looks to be leaking out the drainplug... Thanks dad.... I think it's also coming up on timing belt time again. All parts on order except the timing belt stuff. What can you expect from a car with a projected 400k?

400K? sweet. good on ya', bro. keep her going. wait, of course, you keep her going since you have been designated the keeper of the volov. i now pronounce you sir850. :beer:

Hehehe...

What GREAT timing...
:)

I ended up buying a used radiator from V&S Auto Dismantlers in Rancho Cordova, CA. The price for a radiator with a lifetime replacement guarantee, including shipping, was only $120, which is considerably less than the price of a new aftermarket radiator. The R&R was fairly straightforward, and I flushed the system several times and refilled with G5 coolant. I'm really happy that I found out about V&S, they look like a great resource for any needed parts in the future. :beer:

Cheers, and thanks for the update, Tom.
:)