Well the car has now sprung it's 3rd coolant leak, and I am really, really annoyed at it. The coolant was originally leaking from the outlet pipe and this was repaired by a hose. Then I found that the top radiator hose had somehow gotten itself loose and was dripping some coolant, so this was then repaired. Now after a long country drive (and thankfully I got home) before the third leak caused a "Coolant low" warning on the dash. I have jacked the car up and I can not see where this third leak is coming from. While jacked up, I can see that the leak seems to be coming from under the "front" of the engine (ie looking at the engine from east to west not from the front of the car).



It is dripping from what appears to be 3 areas, but then this may just be 1 leak that is being split up when hitting other things on the way down. Does anyone have a diagram of the cooling system so that I can find where this pipe is and fix it?



Also note this is a RHD car. I now need to fix this so that I can sell this car, as it is just problem after problem since before I owned it (was in the repair shop 2 weeks after I bought it)

I have had a chance today to start the car after it has been sitting in the driveway for about 3 days jacked up on stands. The leak seems to be one main leak that looks like it just behind the crossmember right in the middle. Does anyone have a diagram so I can get an idea where and how the culprit pipe sits?

Hope this helps

Thanks Polska. I have managed to get some ramps to put the car up properly before and will have a look underneath. From the diagram it doesn't appear that there is a pipe near the bottom of the engine as I would have expected. The diagram should help me to check each of them to ensure that they aren't the ones leaking. Could the water pump be leaking and hence that is where my coolant is coming from?

Im not sure how many miles do you have on your car? You ever get your timing belt and water pump, etc. replaced?

I had the timing belt changed in September last year and the car has done 177000km's. I have no record of the water pump being done.

I have checked the car again this morning and it now isn't leaking as it was previously. I thought this may have been due to the elevation on the car ramps, so I moved it to level ground again and a smallish puddle of coolant was now visible on the car. I put it back on the car ramps (so the front is lifted) and no leak is able to be sighted. Note this is after a cold start (been sitting in the driveway for probably around 20 hours).

I am now so confused as to what could be causing this coolant leak.

I dunno thats weird. I would check pipe 11 only thing thats seems it would that if slanted or not. Or maybe if its slanted its dripping onto the engine or in another spot where you just dont see it.

Took the car to a Volvo specialist this monring to run a pressure test and they have found a 2 - 2.5" split on the drivers side of the radiator. This has been spraying coolant onto the belts and then this fluid has been collecting and pooling down from where I saw it. It wasn't a hose after all hence why I couldn't find the leak on any of the pipes. So know I am going to have to replace the radiator which is going to cost me $553 (Australian) + the labour which will work out to around $940 all up. Argh!!!!!!

Is it easy to take the radiator out, as from what I have heard, it needs to be "dropped" out and the turbo lines have to be disconnected as they "wrap" around the radiator as it. If it's not easy, guess I am going to have to spend the money, fix it up and then get rid of it.

They put in a new radiator and got it all connected again, and it's still leaking :blownose:. After looking at it and they could also show me directly, the water pump is also cactus and will need to be replaced. An additional $340 on top of what I was already paying. So the car won't be done until basically Friday and then that's it hopefully. It's out the door as soon as I can get it done.

So it was both the radiator and the water pump? Thats horrible. Maybe you never had the water pump replaced at your scheduled timing belt replacment. I had mine done at 105,000 miles. that and a couple other components like thermostat. Good luck with your next purchase, you looking at anything in particular?

Thanks POLSKA for the help, here's hoping the thing gets fixed. I have always been a Holden (which is an Australian brand based off GM Motors) but at an early aged switched to Toyota / Lexus. So I am trying to get myself into a 98 - 00 Lexus GS300. I have owned 4 2-door Lexus SC's (or Toyota Soarer's) and have always found them to be bullet-proof engines and maintenance was a breeze.

I will probably never buy another Volvo again after the experience with this car. They are a nice car, comfortable to drive, great features and safety but after the problems I have had with this car (and it being the flagship for Volvo) has made me very cautious on the brand and I will be hard pressed to ever buy one again.

yeah s80s are flagships of volvo but its always been said that the most reliable is the s60. I wouldnt buy another s80 thats for sure. R is my next purchase when i have to give this one away.

I think I will stick to my Toyota / Lexus brand in the future. Would certainly not recommend an S80 to anyone. Just too many problems and issues. Pity really.