How many litres of water does my volvo 340 dl 1.4 hold in its cooling system?

Upto 1980 (expansion tank on side of rad) = 5.5 lt
1980 - 1985 (rad inside engine bay) = 5.2 lt
1986 on (rad forward of front panel) = 6.5 lt

Mac

Thats odd because my haynes manual says that a B14 up to 1989 needs 5.2 litres? My 340 was manufactured in 1988...

Why ask the question then

The dealer manuals are on this forum under "Technical" so those will have the definitive answer (which I imagine is where Mac got his numbers from).

One point, *don't* just fill it with water. Use antifreeze. It has corrosion inhibitors in it to save the block rusting out.

Why "shout" the question every time?

Why ask the question then? To make sure the haynes manual was correct which it now seems that it isnt...

Have you found the dealer manuals? They are a lot more comprehensive than the Haynes.

Nah I cant seem to find them? Surely someone on here knows the correct answer?...

The reason Im enquiring is because my radiator is leaking slightly and I need to know what the entire cooling system holds in order to get the correct "rad-weld" from my local motor factors...

Justin,

Somebody DOES know the correct answer - I have given it to you!

If you wish to believe Haynes then do so, but please do not ask for advice and then ignore it
if the answer you receive is not what you expect. Haynes is well known for "less than perfectly"
Updating their information.

To expand - in 1985 the radiator was moved from the inner face of the front panel to the outer
and was at the same time increased in size.
Far better than using rad weld it would be wise to consider a proper repair - ie a recore by a
reputable radiator reconditioner.

Mac.

Thanks Mac and no offence meant. I suffer with OCD which makes me obsessed with fine detail, I cant help being the way I am!

I ended up using "K-Seal" which has 27 very positive reviews on amazon.co.uk. It seems to have done the job...

Based on the fact that my cars cooling system holds 6.5 litres how much antifreeze should I add when the British winter draws in? In the past I've drained the entire system and filled up with 2 litres of antifreeze and the rest water...

Dealer manuals are here:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... m.php?f=36

I'm more than up for questioning pretty much all advice on all forums from all people. The internet is full of people who are just wrong

Knowing Mac both over the internets and in the real world, I also know he's more than happy to have people think for themselves and to discuss a point with him. The manuals above will help with the evidence needed

Most of the time (every time I've doubted him and looked something up to have said discussion...) they've proved him right

Chris_C wrote:Dealer manuals are here:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... m.php?f=36

Justin, just a reminder that the PROPER manufacturer's manual are online at the above link in the forum technical section. It might be worth bookmarking it and checking them first before asking a question (of which I note almost every one of your posts has been over the last four years).

Use ethylene glycol anti-freeze to a 1:1 ratio, e.g. 50% water, be it soft/distilled/de-ionised and 50% anti-freeze.

That mix should not freeze until the temperature plummets to minus 37C

Hi Justin,

My apologies for miss-reading you - all explained and no apology from you necessary.

If you follow the factory guidelines you should use a 2 parts water to one part Volvo Coolant,
(volvo pt.no.9437651for 4lt). This part no.is just a good quality "conventional" antifreeze
(ie.not OAT type) and is not particularly cheap so Bluecol, or Comma would be fine.
The factory specified a 50:50 mix for "Nordic" markets.

However the factory also specified a 50:50 mix for other "redblock" engined cars. So bearing
in mind that a major duty of antifreeze is anti corrosion, my personal advice would be to use
a 50:50 mix all year round. (in the UK you are extemely unlikely to ever need the anti FREEZE
capability a 50:50 mix affords).

When you have drained the system down in the past some water will have remained in the
heater and the bottom of the block (and this will have been a water antifreeze mix) so the
2 litres you have been using will have been fine - you've probably been near to 50:50.

One suggestion - always mix your water/antifreeze first before filling the car system - you
then are sure of the "strength".

Oh, as Chris says you won't offend me by questioning me - and I have no problems with being
proved wrong (keep trying Cardwell you Pelican) just don't use "The Hackenthorpe Book of Lies"
against me. (Month Pythons Big Red Book reference for all you anoraks).

Mac.

I dont like people saying O.C.D.
It should be C.D.O

I feel better when the letters are in alphbetical order.

Lets see some pics of the car Justin!

Im guessing its safe to continue with 2 litres from now on then?...

I will get some photos of my car up this week...