O/T Cant find Volvo cooling leak

[286merc]

Its my wifes 94 940 and it goes thru about a half gallon a day.
No wet spots on the ground, no wet inside, no white exhaust and no change in performance.
However the check engine light stays on.

Would this be a head gasket leak that hasnt become big enough yet to affect things? The manual gives no indication what the possible reasons for the warning light mean.

[prime mover]

you might have a cracked head but in the exhaust port after the cylinder, it wont miss and the check light might be saying the o2 sensor is being doused in coolant. see if theres a volvo mech near you.

[55olds88]

Sounds like too much leakage to be the problem I had a few years ago, it was a cracked coolent pipe that leaked on to a warm manifold so there was never a puddle, only picked up on it by seeing the stain.....

[Deuce Rails]

Good gosh, Carl, a half gallon a day is a lot. It should certainly show up somewhere: on the ground, or in the exhaust. How many miles does the car have?

Here's my far-fetched guess. If you haven't found any traces of the leakage, but you're sure it's leaking, look at the coolant recovery system. Something has to be leaking at speed, which would explain why you can't find the leak. If it's at speed, it's probably at high cooling temperatures and pressures, too.

Or, try one of the UV dyes available to track the leak.

I'm just stabbing in the dark, but I hope it gives you something to work with.

--Matt.

[fancyboy]

I'm not a Volvo wrench any more, I work on Mercedes-Benz. I own and race Volvos. I assume thats a B230 (non turbo). If its a turbo it is a water cooled turbo. Water valves leak or crack, but if its not marking it territory this is unlikely. Check for residue around the water pump. Check every hose. Radiators have plastic side tanks and can leak were they are crimped on. Head gaskets are very rare to fail. Cracked heads are rare.
Pressure test the system. If you ever have any Euro car questions I'd be glad to offer my opinion.

[286merc]

Thanks for the ideas guys.
I'll get into it deeper tomorrow. Snowing and rain today and hard to tell normal tailpipe smoke from bad. Going to follow her around a bit after its fully warmed up and see if I can spot something.
Already looked at every hose, no signs of leakage.

It is a non turbo with 160K BUT it has overheated recently from a radiator leak. Wife was up in Maine and some local put in that BARs aluminum sealer.
Stopped the leak but still losing coolant.

Im sort of worried that she drove it with the gauge pinned longer than she admits and did some head damage.

No bubbles in the coolant jar so maybe its in the exhaust port after the valve as mentioned??

[Flat Ernie]

Only thing no one has mentioned, but I assume you've already checked is the crankcase - how's the dipstick look? Don't know anything about Volvos except parts are expensive http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[leadsled]

Not much of this will apply, but about 8 yrs ago I had a high crank case press. on a fairbanks (2 stroke O/P 8.125" bore) Any way what it turned out to be was lose liner bolts, water was getting in the crank case and steaming off causing the pressure. I did the old oil on tin foil with a lighter if your a non-smoker you'll have to borrow one. If it crakcles there is moisture in your oil. Although a half gallon would wear your moisture inhibitors out and begin to emulsify your oil. Can you pressure test the system? try that. Tim

[roaddevil]

my 2cents
i would pressure test and dye it and hit it with the UV light. If you have a pressure test on and start the car and it pegs the gauge there is a good sign of head/head gasket failure

[286merc]

Found it!
But only since it got to the point I could find it.

The Volvo has no radiator cap or draincock, new coolant goes into the recovery jar on the inner fender. And the jar cover is a pressure cap.

Seems that the initial overheat damaged the cap. Today I left the car running with the cap off just so I could monitor the changing level.
After awhile the level started to dribble over the top so I put the cap back on. Guess what, the cap was pissing all over the place! Obviously it was doing the same when the wife was driving and getting a little worse each day. No obvious staining since Ive been running pretty much straight water by now.

BTW, having lived with flatheads all these years, the FIRST place I looked was the crankcase.

Simple problem, just took you guys and some head scratching.
Thanks.

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
BTW, having lived with flatheads all these years, the FIRST place I looked was the crankcase.


[/ QUOTE ]

I figured as much http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr 42]

This is a typical B230 fault, its the gasket that have given up, usually it starts with some water hoses breaking, becauese of the high pressure, caused by the leaking gasket.
the radiator is in the dangerzone to.


I would lift the head, and check it out, you need to have the head flycut, to get it straight.

Here in Sweden Volvo is the cheapest used car you can have :-)

[OutLaw]

What the fuck does this have to do with traditional hot rods and customs. This is exactly what pisses Ryan off. Go find a volvo message board if you want to find the correct answer.

Moron

[Evilfordcoupe™]

Main Entry: mo·ron
Pronunciation: 'mOr-"än, 'mor-
Function: noun
Etymology: irregular from Greek mOros foolish, stupid
Date: 1910
1 : a mentally retarded person who has a potential mental age of between 8 and 12 years and is capable of doing routine work under supervision
2 : a very stupid person
3. Needs to find a Volvo manual written for an 8-12 year old.

-Jason

[Deuce Rails]

[ QUOTE ]
Originally posted by OutLaw

What the fuck does this have to do with traditional hot rods and customs. This is exactly what pisses Ryan off. Go find a volvo message board if you want to find the correct answer.

Moron

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't be a jerk, "OutLaw".

Here's a friend of the HAMB asking other friends of the HAMB for help. And he got it.

I'm not sure that you get it.

Do you know what it takes to build a 286 Merc engine?
Do you know what it means to be helpful to a friend?
Or even the least bit polite to a brother?
Or do you even know how to not act like an asshole to a stranger?

What gives you the right to speak for Ryan?
You say you know what pisses him off.
It sure as hell isn't this post... At least until you got here.

Do yourself a favor tomorrow, and give some random guy--who may not even deserve it--a helping hand. Like a random act of kindness.

And if you can't muster that up, along with an apology to 286merc, then fuck off.

--Matt

[hatch]

Funny....I am having the same problem with water disappearing from my 93 Buick Skylark...not as much volume though. This topic is interesting to me, so that's two of us. Can outlaw claim the same???...Two people interested in what he has to say?....I don't think so.

I'll take moron over self proclaimed Judge, jury, and executioner of the HAMB police any day...

[OutLaw]

Have you even been paying attention to what Ryan posts there is a post right now expaining how he feels about this kinda off topic, topic.

Hell its even on the same page.

as for your water leak preassure test it and figure it out. There is only so many places for the water to go.

[OutLaw]

As soon as I have a question on how to build my rare one of a kind super duper hot rod engine, I'll ask the question.

Until then I'm not going to ask you how to fix my toaster.

[hatch]

Politics, Religion, etc, etc, etc have no place here, but a cooling system request DOES relate to whats on this board. Alot of people have cooling problems with their hotrods. This post has had some great tips on tracking down a problem. Would you be happy if it was about a shoebox ford????...probably, but the info would still be the same.

If Ryan doesn't like it, he will take care of it...not you.

[El Caballo]

You know, I was waiting to see when someone would go off on 286merc. I certainly hope that these two newbies never bring anything O/T onto the board because I will lead the way in pointing out their hypocracy.

Boys, a long while back, I suggested to Ryan that there should be a tech only board with a blabbing area, like the techomatic area. I will paraphrase what he said, "...there aren't enough O/T posts to warrant it, maybe 5%...".

You guys are right when you say it is Ryan's board, so stop acting like it is yours.

If Ryan wants people off the board or wants to discipline them, let him do it, he ain't bashful. You, however, cannot tell other people to not make posts that you feel are not relevant. Same rule applies, it ain't your house either.

A friend of this board was helped today, in the finest tradition of community...

If you don't like it, I feel sorry for you.

[OutLaw]

I would be happy if it was about his shoebox.

Newbie I regestered on this board 6 months after you did.

Where is the newness?

[hatch]

What about the custom owner in sweden runnin a volvo motor?...Some of those early Volvos are as traditional as it gets...will you allow them to participate?...oh false keeper of the HAMB flame???...sorry you don't get it.

[El Caballo]

You are right I didn't check your date. That said, I think some of your motorcycle stuff is a tad O/T, right? Really, my point is that it is perfectly allright for you to do O/T posts like that, even pimping your business on Ryan's nickel with your link.

You haven't addressed the main issue though; what about helping 286merc?

Is that really a bad thing to do?

[OutLaw]

Thats right I forgot that back in the day, when people were putting volvo engines in their salt flat cars and all those volvo engine that set all kinds of records at Lions dragstrip. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
especaly those 1994 940 engines

Way to put me in my place http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[OutLaw]

No, its not wrong to help the guy out.

But I still think this is the wrong place to do it.

[El Caballo]

I knew you were a reasonable guy...

[Evilfordcoupe™]

Since were on the topic of helping others, I think its time to say a big thank you to Outlaw. Tyler came over to the shop yesterday and gave me a hand swapping out the transmission in my '33.

As for being a newbie, I will take that compliment anyday!!! This newbie completely built his '33 and the Blown and mechanically injected 392 Hemi that resides in it. This is the first car I ever built.

As for toasters, my 2 slice unit at home does well on the first pair of toast, but in NO WAY can you put in two more pieces of bread right after the first or else it will buzz and not stay down. I have thought about buying a 4 slice bread toaster....What can you suggest Tyler??

-Jason

[hotrodladycrusr]

Well I'm not Tyler but I have experiences with toasters. I say buy the 4 slicers BUT make sure that 2 of the slice inlets are big enough to accompany halves of bagels. You never know when your taste might change and you might decide to forgo bread slices for bagel slices. Thats my "professional" opinion on the subject http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[OutLaw]

Thanks Denise, I was wondering which one to buy.

[cosmo]

I haven't posted here in so long I can't remember. But, I DO recall these arguments in the past.
Outlaw: If you read the title, WHY did you look in on the post?? If you offered so readily to 286Merc to go to a Volvo board, isn't THAT help?? If a friend showed up on your doorstep, and asked help for a flat on his Honda (made in America, BTW), would you tell him to F***OFF because it wasn't a traditional rod problem?? Are you REALLY that closed minded that you cannot offer help to a fellow human, even if it isn't what you were thinking about at the time?? But mostly, I wonder why you even looked in on the topic after reading the title, if O/T post piss you off that much. For your illumination, the title had such words as "Volvo" and "O/T".
Oh, and for future reference, there are other people on this board that might just get pissed at your "USA First" attitude, mostly because they are not residing in the USA. Hot rods are of all colours, all nationalities. Hell, in the original, a hot rod was a hotted up stocker. So if I turn the boost up on my turbo-diesel Merc, I've got a hot rod by the original definition.
Now to find some "dubs" for my W123....
Cosmo. NOT a newbie.

[OutLaw]

Not a Newbie but for sure an idiot.
I don't have an American first attitude. This is not the place to talk about your 98 Chevy Cavalier, 87 Fiat or your 48 VW.

For the record my friends that need help don't have to come to me, I go to them to help no matter what they drive.

God Bless America Mother Fucker

[286merc]

Im running on 2hrs sleep so Im a bit short tempered right now.

Outlaw you are a fucking asshole. And a disgrace to the true Austin Outlaw, Ole Willy who still cares for people.
You seem like a young punk wannabe that never got slapped hard enough by the teachers back in the 1st grade for being a motormouth.
Keep replying with more idiocy, it helps get your post count up.

The rest of you guys, thanks for the support. I never would have thought of going to a Volvo board when my friends are here.

[OutLaw]

Building things since 1955 and still can't find a coolant leak. I guess business is booming for you.

[Evilfordcoupe™]

Post count?? Thats killing me. You better watch out, the union guys with the high post count are trying to rule the place. I think it should be more about Horsepower!!!, that way all you fuckers can go stand in the corner!!

Hey Outlaw, lets go to the Landing Strip so those cute girls can slap you. I think you have a lot of catching up to do.

-Jason

[hatch]

Hey Outhouse...there's a bunch of Hambers talking about the California fires...better go kick their asses off your board.

[OutLaw]

fuck off Hatch, go play with your volvo custom.

People house's and lives being in danger it totaly differant than their wives car.

[hatch]

So....automotive topics about cars you don't like are forbidden, but discussing wildfires is OK???...sounds like some sort of a double standard....never really cared for double standards.

[OutLaw]

I can't stop people talking about a fire or their cat. Its not a double standard none of it should be allowed but its here.

I never said I disliked volvos either, pull your head out of your ass and read what was written

[hatch]

Maybe you should read some more posts on this board. People come here with their problems. And yes some are off topic. Actually, alot are off topic....cancer, job termination, theft, wife leaving, car broken, bogus ticket, neighbor harassment, and so on, and so on, and so on....so, off topic they may be, this is a place to get some very good advice.....Telling people to fuck off when you don't like what they say doesn't belong here either.....so...which group do you belong to???

[OutLaw]

What group do I belong to?
What does that mean?
What does that have to do with anything?

[hatch]

Group A....people with things to discuss(sometimes off topic)
Group B...people who wanna run others off when their topics don't meet with your approval

[OutLaw]

Group C.... People with things to discuss ( on topic )

[hatch]

OK by me..does this mean you won't be discussing ANY off topic subject? Ever?....are you a gambling man??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[safariknut]

[ QUOTE ]
OK by me..does this mean you won't be discussing ANY off topic subject? Ever?....are you a gambling man??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you having fun pushing all dem buttons at once Hatch?

[old beet]

I didn't say nothin.........OLDBEET

[OutLaw]

Not intentionaly unless someone drags me off topic. The day I post an O/T topic you have have at me.

I have never posted a O/T topic, there is no reason, to there for no one should

[delaware george]

i'm probably opening up a can of attack me,but...286 has helped me alot,and i don't know him,but would gladly listen to what he needed help on(no matter what it was about)...cause i appreciate the info he has given me...OT or not, there are certain people on here that have become like a family and deserve to be able to rant an OT once in a while so that the people they became friends with can help them back......i don't mean crying and shit all the time,but this was at least car related

[SlowLearner]

286, Glad you found that leak! Didn't have any thoughts to offer, but glad the HAMB came through on this one. I THOUGHT it would. A warm fuzzy neighborhood.
Re "O/T", have I shown any of you guys my packard pix?..... lately? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif (THAT always kills a thread.) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Petejoe]

Can't we all be friends and help one another? regardless if it wildfires, wifes or whatever. It's obvious cars brought all of us here. And it'll be cars that we continually spend more time discussing. A post months ago so impressed me that had a subject of what we did for a living. I couldn't believe the numbers of this cross sectional group of professional, technical and artistic forces here. Wouldn't it be stupid not to tap into this help when all of us friends need it.Regardless of the subject. Here boys just press the button.
http://www.gifs.net/animate/setupz.gif

[flt-blk]

I just read this for the first time and wow has it gotten
out of hand. Outlaw merley states a fact that the post
does not belong here. It doesn't, even 286merc doesn't
dispute that.
Outlaw doesn't owe an apology to anyone for pointing this
out, he is merley trying to save room for real traditional
hot rod and custom information. If this serves to warn off
O/T posts I am all for it.

As for helping other people and being a buddy, I have been
on the recieving end of both traditional hot rod help and
other help from Outlaw and only the Tradtional hot rod
stuff belongs here. Keep it off our board and save room
for ON topics posts.
And Cosmo, you don't know what the hell youre talking about
with your "USA First attitude" Outlaw has the brightest VW
tail lights straight from Germany I have ever followed on a
Chevy.
TZ

[El Caballo]

Helping each other on this board is always O/T, on-topic. I have seen all kinds of help given here as an expression of community and I just don't understand the anti-attitude and I guess I never will. It amazes me, the amount of energy wasted on this topic by those who profess to not be interested in it.

If I can help somebody, I will, if I need help, I'm going to ask; there are plenty of able folks here to ask if you don't want to answer.

[OutLaw]

Delaware, I'm not attacking you but if everyone on here decided to post one or two Off topic post on this board. No one would come here for info, they would come just to bull shit. Their are plenty of other places you and your friends can go chat. Keep it on topic or watch the HAMB go to shit one O/T post at a time. Thats all I'm saying

Out of courisoity whats wrong with calling a friend on the phone, of buying a manual.

[Evilfordcoupe™]

I see nothing wrong with the "USA First Attitude"!!!

-Jason

[delaware george]

makes sense...sometimes just seems easier to turn on old faithful(the hamb)...no harm meant

[El Caballo]

I agree, I'd rather ask someone from a group i trust rather than go elsewhere. Personally, I think its the sense of HAMBers helping HAMBer that makes me want to ask here about anything mechanical, because I trust people here.

I see your point, no need of ornithology topics here. But I have asked questions about my later rides and gotten info that saved me $$$, kinda impossible not to come back for that. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif