C70 Coolant Leak, cannot find its source?

Tiny
, DUSTY M
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 VOLVO C70
  • 2.0L
  • 5 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
Owned the vehicle listed above for 11 years. 84K. Well, looked after and serviced properly. Got a small coolant leak somewhere. Loses about half the expansion tank every 60-140 miles. Pressure test revealed nothing. Car inspected on ramps and the mechanic could find no evidence of any leaks (dried traces of coolant), also with engine running. Removed and inspected expansion tank and all looked sound. Hoses all good and tightened. No evidence of water in the oil. Two experienced mechanics who are familiar with the car are stumped. Any ideas what's going on or what parts we should systematically replace, faulty or not?
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 AT 1:36 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Coolant is either burnt or leaked, have you checked in the passengers footwell to see if the heater core is leaking? Also, I would do a chemical check to see if exhaust gases are inside the cooling system. You could have a blown head gasket even though there is no coolant in the oil.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
, DUSTY M
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you for your reply Ken. No damp in the carpets and no gases in the cooling system. Took the car to the garage (shop) and left it with them for 10 days whilst I was on holiday. When I arrived at the garage, water was pouring from under the car so a relief that whatever was failing was now seriously failing so an easy diagnosis. Not so. About 15 mins after I left the mechanic topped up the expansion tank and put the car on the ramp. He couldn't get it to leak again! So the following day they drove it a few miles and popped it straight onto on the ramp when they got back. After a while looking he found a tiny split about a 1/8th inch/3mm long in the short hose (about 4 inches/100mm long) from the thermostat housing to the manifold. The hose is about 1/2 inch/13mm in diameter. Once replaced no more leaks. Presumably the split only opened up under certain conditions, maybe when the thermostat opened/closed or due to engine movement. Anyway, I would suggest that any hard to find leak on a Volvo C70/V70 etc could be that short piece of hose. Picked the car up on Monday, covered about 30 miles and so far no leaks! Will be checking coolant level next time I drive it.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 3:20 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Some leaks can be tough to find, I am glad you got it fixed and let us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 10:05 AM

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