overfill--nothing earth shattering

[Kira]

2007 Volvo V70 base w/70K.

Someone overfilled my coolant reservoir bottle to well above the MAX mark and above the overflow hose fitting.
You could smell a little bit of burning every time you exited the car. Just enough would make it over to the exhaust to burn.
I drew it down to exactly the MAX mark and as if by magic, the smell disappeared.

If the car had Volvo blue (G-48) coolant I have to hope someone added G-05 because the coolant I syphoned off is a clear, pale version of olive drab.

I wonder if I should flush it and go to 100% one (Volvo blue) or another (G-05).

The car saw great service before I got it but the notations are mileage markers like 15,000 serv., 22,500, 30,000, 37,500, 52,000, 60,000.

I got the car at 70K with original plugs-should've been done @ 60K. 'Dya think it's safe to assume my coolant was never changed?

It sure ain't dark blue anymore. Would you go Volvo blue or convert to G-05 or something else? Kira

 

[2010Civic]

Did they just add water to the reservoir bottle? Maybe that is why it is a pale color?

It should be at or below max when hot and at or above min when cold.

If in doubt I would replace the coolant. There are a lot of dumb people out there. haha

 

[demarpaint]

Test the coolant and see if it is still good. Then go from there.

 

[dlundblad]

I would just get OEM. FCP Euro has the full strength stuff for about $20 a gallon.

 

[Superflop]

Well for me and some peace of mind i would plan a drain and distilled flush then fill back to 50/50 with G-05 or stock, whichever you like. Cooling systems and fluids in general on a used vehicle are something i like to change soon after ownership (not necessarily immediately). You never really know what the po or his mechanic did.

Im somewhat in the same boat with my volvo. We bought that xc90 with 80k on it and the first things i did was an oil change and ps flush (same fluid as my saab so it is on hand) transmission is up next and when i first bought it the tstat took a dump so i got the dealership (i bought it from a volvo dealer) to change it. Coolant will happen in the next couple months. Just had the cem and alternator take a dump... so now i own a vida dice combo lol.

Check out a volvo vida/dice btw for accessing and diagnosing/clearing codes. Vida is the volvo diagnostic software and dice is the usb to obd2 adapter. They come as a combo.

 

[Kira]

Where do you get the VIDA/DICE combo? I've heard there are pirated copies so buying one leaves you without recourse.

Also, there are some computer system requirements needed.

And the big question is: How much? There's a guy in England who loads up used computers and sells them. That service would be quite expensive.