s80

hello,
I have a s80, feb2000, with a 3l turbo engine.
All was well, until a few weeks ago, allof a sudden the temperature needle
climbed to the red. (from normal to alarm "temp motor too high" less than a
minute)
I waited for everything to cool down, got an alarm that the cooling fluid
level was too low. After filling, I took the car to the local Volvo dealer.
He did not do much, and said everything was ok. I left for a rather long
trip. I was plagued with this sama problem. Another dealer changed the
thermostat. I came back home, and took it to the first dealer. He changed
the Fan.
The problem is that I may be able to drive 200 miles the best way, and
suddenly, there it is the needle climbs, I do my best to stop on the raod
side, and the whole thing looks more like a steam engine than a nice volvo.
Has anybody an idea?
yours
robert hirschel

 

Sounds like you may be losing coolant and as soon as the coolant level gets
too low it overheats. That's just a guess and you could test it by looking
at the coolant level after you drive 150 miles to see if it's lower than
normal. A competent shop should be able to diagnose the problem fairly
easily. Not all mechanics are good at that.

BTW, the S80 never came with a 3 liter engine. The turbo straight six is 2.9
liters and it really is amazing how much torque it has.

Mike

 

Take a good look at you coolant reservoir cap, it may be cracked or the
relief valve is stuck open.
the coolant evaporates out so no liquid is discharged.

Harold

 

Thank you
You are right about the 2.9l.
I am not sure about a loss of coolant. The problem may happen after some
nice 200 miles, but it may also reappear after just a few miles. I had it
three times in some 5 miles!
thanks
robert hirschel

 

hello,
I'll check this again.
thank you very much
robert hirschel

 

I might try flushing the cooling system, maybe there's an air bubble in
there. Also sounds like a sticking thermostat although if it was replaced
and still acts the same you can probably rule that out. Any competent Volvo
mechanic can diagnose this more easily in person. Good luck and let us know
what the problem turns out to be.

Mike

 

I will certainly keep you informed..
Up to now, the thermostat has been replaced, the expansion vessel, and the
fan...
Short of replacing the car, I could get a new radiator, new cylinder block.
This all has been performed by apparently qualified volvo mechanics.
My part has been to stop in an emergency on the road side, to wait until the
cap can be safely opened, to refill with cooling fluid.. I carry, just in
case, two bottles of volvo cooling fluid concentrate, two bottles of water.
yours
robert hirschel