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Having to continually top up coolant can be indicative of multiple issues. In the case of Dale’s 940, it was a leaky radiator – but the problems didn’t end there, predictably enough...
1997 VOLVO 940 ESTATE
If you're a pro, or have more time on your hands than me, then you could probably get to the bottom of why your car’s coolant level is continually dropping in a timely manner.
Procrastination is like a credit card – a lot of fun until you get the bill. If you're like me, however, then you'll no doubt continue to top off the reservoir until you can either set aside one of those elusive free afternoons to assess the situation finally and properly or the problem becomes so severe that it prevents you from actually driving your beloved classic. Do as I say, not as I do, ladies and gentlemen...
My first and somewhat pessimistic thought when it came to my watery woes was a leaky cylinder head gasket but seeing as there were no additional warning signs (white smoke from the exhaust, ‘mayo’ in the filler cap, etc.)
I wasn't that concerned. Wrist duly slapped. It was only when I noticed a wet patch under the engine that I drew an educated conclusion and closer inspection revealed that the radiator had rusted through at the bottom corner, causing said leak. Not enough to be catastrophic, mind you, but just enough to be mildly irritating.
Having had the 940’s radiator out previously when I fitted the new intercooler and air-con condenser a few thousand miles back, I knew that it was a simple enough task and so with my new radiator fresh out of its box I set to work. I drained the coolant, disconnected all hoses and fittings, removed the old radiator, replaced it with the new one and then buttoned everything back up.
It's not rocket science and having flushed the system with clean water I re-filled it with the correct mix of coolant. I was feeling content and accomplished; happy, even.
It was a cheap fix that took no more than an hour, but I was blissfully ignorant of the fact that, much like plugging the hole in the dam only to see the deluge emerge from elsewhere, the problem had merely shifted to the heater core
