Coolant was leaking to the point of overheating?

Tiny
TJJETER87
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 VOLVO S40
  • 5 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,500 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above with a 2.4i.

Coolant was leaking to the point of overheating. Changed water pump, timing belt, coolant reservoir, upper radiator hose and overflow hose. The car is still leaking coolant, but no longer overheating. I let it sit a few days to wait for the closest shop (the same shop that did all the repairs) to open. I checked the coolant level before starting it, it was low, I turned the coolant cap and air came out, but the level returned to the max level as the coolant came back into the reservoir. The shop is about a half a mile, I checked the level as soon as I got there, and it is low again. I don’t know much of anything about cars, I do know now the previous owner did not take care of it, but at the time of purchase, the codes had to be reset as nothing was illuminated so I purchased in good faith. It’s been a nightmare. Any ideas what could be causing this issue? Or where to look next? The shop suggested a possible head gasket? But, there’s no smoke coming, rough drive or anything else. It’s just losing coolant! Please help! Thanks in advance.
Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 8:52 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
The first thing to do is find out where it is leaking from so, we can take steps to fix it. I would raise the car up and use a flashlight to see if you can figure out where it is coming from.

Here are two guides to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

You can rent a pressure tester from the local auto parts store. Please go over these guides and report back.

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Monday, May 8th, 2023 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
TJJETER87
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Okay I will, well, I’ll have the mechanic working on it make sure he has done all these steps. For the life of me I cannot understand how we replaced the hoses to begin with a still failed to see another potential leak! In the meantime, while I await news which I hope is good? Is it likely that it could also be a lower radiator hose being as though the top one had to be replaced? Again, it’s no longer overheating, it is just losing coolant rapidly.
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Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, the mechanic should have seen the leak before letting the car go. It could be a lower hose, water pump or radiator.
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Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
TJJETER87
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Even though they already fixed the water pump? That’s insane. I’ll have to buy the parts all over again for repair.
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Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
I don't know where it is leaking from, you must follow these guides to find out where the leak is coming from.

Here are two guides to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2023 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
TJJETER87
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They diagnosed it as a blown gasket. And they want $4,200 to fix, absolutely not going to put that kind of money into it. However, I wanted to ask? Does the gasket sealants you can add to your coolant work? At least temporarily? I really need to be able to commute to work. Again, it is no longer overheating, once the car is stopped and the cap released just a little, the coolant replenishes.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2023 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
TJJETER87
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  • 11 POSTS
This?
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Thursday, May 11th, 2023 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Here is a video of the coolant sealer we use in the shop and had pretty good success with it:

https://youtu.be/Xi41RFMP8Ow

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, May 13th, 2023 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
TJJETER87
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thank you for sharing! I am going to purchase it. Is this the recommended brand? And, about how long does it last? Does it matter how bad the damage is or isn’t it for it to work effectively? My commute to and from work is almost 100 miles, I just want to be confident driving that far to and from even if it is temporary (a few months.) I’m sorry for bombarding you with so many questions, I just want to make sure I’m doing everything according to all the suggestions you have made. Lastly, there’s one called “bars leaks” that is supposed to be a permanent fix? Any feedback on that one? Or should I use only blue devil? I’m not sure how long the gasket has been bad, prior to work to work I’ve already needed to do, or how bad of a state it’s in after it was just diagnosed? Does the condition of the gasket matter? Will it seal anyway? I’ve trusted 2carpros for years now and I’ve never been steered wrong!
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Saturday, May 13th, 2023 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would use the blue devil, which is what should give you the best chance, and then drive it locally to see if that helped. The condition of the gasket will determine if it will work which we cannot tell unless you remove the gasket. Let me know how it goes.
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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 9:35 AM

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