What antifreeze should I put into this thing? AIUI, they're somewhat fussy (the 2.5l aluminium straight-6) and the earlier 3l had an infamously poor reputation for block leak problems, whether caused by poor castings or by incorrect antifreeze. Unipart have just given me the "They're all the same, guv" response. They also offered an OAT, which could have been made from oatmal for all the advice the guy in the shop could offer. I'm loathe to go and buy Volvo's magic fluid, because I doubt very much if it's any better than many other equally comparable products -- but how to tell ? Is there any standard quality rating system for antifreeze? What is the Volvo stuff anyway, just a corrosion inhibited ethylene glycol with a low phosphate content? Even my Bosch handbook seems quiet on antifreeze grading. Is a more recent edition (6th or 7th) any more informative? Thanks for any advice
The Saab guys swear by Mercedes antifreeze. It's not super expensive and it plays nice with alloy engines. The 900 engine is prone to head gasket failure if you use the green stuff in it.
Seems to be some 'alchemy' surrounding antifreeze. Any good ethelene gylcol based stuff will do. Important thing is concentration and to change when specified. I've heard bad things about the composition of the 'green' stuff (phosphates) but we don't get it in europe...
That certainly isn't true. Neat ethylene glycol might be a great antifreeze, but it's not a corrosion inhibitor. Also a number of major car makers in the last 15 years have switched to "long life" coolants. Ford went with organic acids, others (including Volvo) found some variant of ethylene glycol. "Simple" ethylene glycols aren't a substitute for either. Yes we do.
Make sure you get pure anti freeze as some are full of water and a tad of anti freeze .Make sure its a top brand not a unknown who cares product .Be sure its rated for anti freeze anti corrosion anti boil,all three .Mke sure its for aluminuim .BP SHELL ESSO MOBIL NULON CASTROL .The blocks had a problem with thin wall porosity ..
Zerex G-05 fluid is my choice for modern Volvos. It is specifically approved by Mercedes and is a very similar formulation to the Volvo factory stuff.
I think pretty well all decent anti-freeze is now suitable for aluminium engines - unlike at one time. I've been using Halfords stuff for many years on my Rover SD1 which has an all alloy engine (apart from the twisty bits obviously) and recent examination showed the interior of the water jacket to be like new. I change it every couple of years. Usually because a hose has burst etc rather than scheduled. ;-)
Are you in Europe? AFAIK, Valvoline don't supply it around here (UK) Does anyone know a UK source for it? I'm also a bit surprised - I thought this was an OAT coolant, and the Volvo one wasn't?
