Considering an S60R....

[jamesy12345]

Was the coolant actually low, or is it just a dodgy sensor.

actually went down fella, message flashed up on the dash when the coolant was ££££ on min level. I'll keep an eye on it..................oh yeah & change the cap just in case although it doesn't look old

[LeeT5]

Bottom line is, if you have to keep topping it up from a precise level then it's got a leak, be it internal or external.
If it's external then its safe to drive so long as you keep topping up with a 50/50 mix of coolant until you can get the leak sorted (preferably soonest) but if its internal then it's not safe to drive and to continue doing so will cause further damage.

[jamesy12345]

Bottom line is, if you have to keep topping it up from a precise level then it's got a leak, be it internal or external.
If it's external then its safe to drive so long as you keep topping up with a 50/50 mix of coolant until you can get the leak sorted (preferably soonest) but if its internal then it's not safe to drive and to continue doing so will cause further damage.

Can't see any external leaks...doesn't appear to be losing anything - the level is fluctuating. Sniff test needed!

[Redbrick]

Does it idle cleanly or have a slight stumble/dip every few seconds?

[jamesy12345]

Does it idle cleanly or have a slight stumble/dip every few seconds?

Idle is good, runs high when first fired up - about 1.5k, then drops to a very steady 750 rpm

Just took it out for a run in 40 plus ambient temps, stuck in traffic for hours - coolant was around minimum when I set off, level definitely drops as the car warms up, then rises when it cools or when the expansion tank cap is (carefully) cracked

[jamesy12345]

Ignore all that pish above about levels rising & falling (fall & rise...of reggie perrin),

The car is definitely using coolant, must be passing somewhere just slightly as there is quite a bit of pressure left in the expansion tank a while after a run.

I don't know how people can sell cars on & keep quiet when they know there is a fault. If I'd bought this for 6k I'd be pissed off now. The previous owner was still claiming it was fine....got the headlight & coolant warning messages within days of starting to use the car....never seen those before....sure....

Anyway, booked in for a 4-wheel alignment on Saturday

[jamesy12345]

The car is now with Volvo for a strip down......with strict instructions to stop & give me a call when the head is off

Anyone got a shimmed 2.5 block they don't need.....with a price including postage to Doha

[Dream3r]

If it helps you could drop a 2.4 in there or hybridise a 2.3 block with with your engine.

[Ettienne]

I shimmed my split liner and it's been perfect so far after 1500 miles of summer driving in town, nit a drop of coolant has been used. It's much less hassle and cheaper than dropping the engine especially if it's in a garage, basically same price as head gasket.

As above, I had a spare already split s60r engine my friend has used, re bored into a 2.3 block and I shimmed the liners for him.

[jamesy12345]

If it helps you could drop a 2.4 in there or hybridise a 2.3 block with with your engine.

Thanks for the comment

I heard that was possible but wasn't sure how much work it was.....my very ideal plan was to strip down, identify the cracked liner or liners then swap the block for the shimmed item & build back up.

I'm reluctant to source an engine here as there isn't a great deal of experience with these cars (myself included) & shipping an entire engine scares the ££££ out of me tbh. I do like to keep as standard as possible although that's not a major thing.

There's a few C30s with the 2.5 engine about the city so maybe a block can be had here, probably for mega money though & no shims

[jamesy12345]

I shimmed my split liner and it's been perfect so far after 1500 miles of summer driving in town, nit a drop of coolant has been used. It's much less hassle and cheaper than dropping the engine especially if it's in a garage, basically same price as head gasket.

As above, I had a spare already split s60r engine my friend has used, re bored into a 2.3 block and I shimmed the liners for him.

Thanks for that info

What you mean - shimmed after a split & it was successful? Sounds good to me if so. I can't carry a block in my hand luggage but shims I can

[Dream3r]

Thanks for the comment

I heard that was possible but wasn't sure how much work it was.....my very ideal plan was to strip down, identify the cracked liner or liners then swap the block for the shimmed item & build back up.

I'm reluctant to source an engine here as there isn't a great deal of experience with these cars (myself included) & shipping an entire engine scares the ££££ out of me tbh. I do like to keep as standard as possible although that's not a major thing.

There's a few C30s with the 2.5 engine about the city so maybe a block can be had here, probably for mega money though & no shims

I was assuming you'd be able to source something local. The 2.4 drops straight in, you'd probably need an experienced engine builder for the 2.3 option, which is popular in Europe and it's more complex.

Both of those options will require a small adjustment of the map as displacement will have changed.

[jamesy12345]

I was assuming you'd be able to source something local. The 2.4 drops straight in, you'd probably need an experienced engine builder for the 2.3 option, which is popular in Europe and it's more complex.

Both of those options will require a small adjustment of the map as displacement will have changed.

I did hear of a 2.4 over in Dubai available but that could be a bag of 600 quid bag of ££££e. I'll give Shemtek & Tim Williams a shout, see if they can help with bits for a 2.5. Assume I will need at least new rings to go with a new block

I had a new ECU with mapping for ethanol on order from TME but it's on hold until this is sorted...that is my Absolut-ly Fabulous project.....Absolut = vodka = ethanol...sorry

[jamesy12345]

News just in from Volvo...according to the history, the cylinder head was off 25,000 km ago...

that might scupper my plan for new block & reusing the head

[Dream3r]

I did hear of a 2.4 over in Dubai available but that could be a bag of 600 quid bag of ££££e. I'll give Shemtek & Tim Williams a shout, see if they can help with bits for a 2.5. Assume I will need at least new rings to go with a new block

I had a new ECU with mapping for ethanol on order from TME but it's on hold until this is sorted...that is my Absolut-ly Fabulous project.....Absolut = vodka = ethanol...sorry

Cool, E85, I wish we had that here. You'll probably max your greens rather quick with that

[oblark]

Thanks for that info

What you mean - shimmed after a split & it was successful? Sounds good to me if so. I can't carry a block in my hand luggage but shims I can

Shimming the liners is a repair that works and saves buying a new engine.

[jamesy12345]

Cool, E85, I wish we had that here. You'll probably max your greens rather quick with that

therein lies the problem....alcohol is strictly prohibited here without a licence . The map is for greens & up to 20% ethanol

Anyway, I don't think I'll be here long. I can't work in a place where the gas cookers drive better cars than their clients

Shimming the liners is a repair that works and saves buying a new engine.

Thanks, what is that material pls - 304 stainless, spring steel..?

[oblark]

I used stainless shimming steel, brought a pack of assorted sizes then cut them into 10mm wide strips. They where a light tap in them

[jamesy12345]

I used stainless shimming steel, brought a pack of assorted sizes then cut them into 10mm wide strips. They where a light tap in them

You'll do for me, stainless has the least thermal expansion of the three materials I can see menitoned in the thread below...

http://forums.turbobricks.com/archiv.../t-204481.html

spring steel
aluminum 6061
stainless

thanks, will update..........

[graemewelch]

The car is now with Volvo for a strip down......with strict instructions to stop & give me a call when the head is off



Anyone got a shimmed 2.5 block they don't need.....with a price including postage to Doha

You wouldnt beleve what i have in the corner of my garage. Shipping isnt a issue either