If it was caused by a leak you should see the lever drop again after running the car for few hours.
I would keep an eye on the engine temperature and have it checked at earliest convenience.
I think you should also have new refrigerant liquid as you have now added water in the circuit.

 

I think you should also have new refrigerant liquid as you have now added water in the circuit.

Sorry - it occurs to be you were probably referring to adding anti-freeze (glycol) to your engine coolant. Good idea. Adding anti-freeze is something we don't have to worry about much in Australia.

Tony

 

................The level has not dropped all day, what would cause the level to drop other than a leak?

No level in there to start with. When did you last check the level? How long have you had the car - ie the dealer didn't check the water level on delivery. When was it last serviced? As you are doing I would continue to keep a regular watch on the level.

'''''''''''''''''''I think you should also have new refrigerant liquid as you have now added water in the circuit.

?????????????? You talking about the air-conditioning refrigerant level or about adding some extra inhibitor to the engine coolant?

Tony

 

Thanks for the response. The car is just over 12 months old, and had its first service last month, the dealer said the coolant wasn't changed but level would of been checked.

It has dropped slightly overnight but I guess that might be from Hot to freezing this morning. I will check again tomorrow morning without driving it.

 

i would have it checked by the dealer. i am sure there must be some kind of pressure test for the system that would highlight any faults.

 

Have the system pressure tested, cause even day/night differences are so tiny where it concerns volume, you shouldn't notice it.

 

My wife's one year old V40 has had the same issue, and the car smells like coolant is leaking when accelerating or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Ours probably boils about 500mL of water every three months since the first service (which is a lot for a car with this type of cooling system).

I can't be bothered dealing with the service department at the dealership again.

Can anyone recommend a Volvo specialist to look at this in Melbourne, Australia?

 

Had similar warning message appear just before the weekend.

Got it topped up, and took car to the main dealer today for quick diagnosis, who identified need for replacement water pump. When asked if it was a known problem, he replied "well, we've replaced a few".

Anyone else had / heard of similar stories. Car is MY14 V40 D2 at 26 months and 60700. Ticked over 60k at the weekend and before diagnosis, so outside warranty!!:frown2:

 

Had similar message re the coolant level over a year ago. Topped it up and not thought about it till recently when I came back and now a message re engine too hot. Also, the heater is not blowing any hot air so clearly the coolant is not being pumped around the system. I went to check the coolant level with a stone cold engine and there is pressure in the system as if it was hot (which it isn't) and coolant comes out of the cap.

My V40 has also done just over 60K. Looking suspiciously like another water pump issue. Will report back.

Stephen

 

I am having this problem also and the dealer will look into it and hopefully get it fixed. My car has about 17.000 km on the odometer (MY 2015, 1.6 T3).

 

ever seen non water coolants? e.g. http://www.evanscoolants.com/index.html

 

Hey guys, an update on this: My car's water pump was replaced by the dealer due to a leakage.

 

Just got a call from my local garage. Indeed, the water pump had failed. Cam belt off to replace it and a new one comes in a kit with the water pump so replaced that too. Also, the thermostat was sticking so a add new one of those. Grand total of £487.67. No doubt cheaper than talking it to Volvo garage.

Anyhow, pretty unchuffed with having to replace the water pump at such a low mileage. Had a good few older cars in my time (10-15 years old) with 100-150k on the clock and never had a water pump replaced.

Stephen

 

Try owning a big V8 Audi.
Changing the timing belt (less than £40 part) involves taking so much stuff off that most people replace the water pump, thermostat, plus various ancillary belts tensioners and other smaller stuff as a precaution at the same time.

 

I can better that. Replacing the sparkplugs on my GT86 requuires you to drop the engine !!

 

So it seems an update is in order. Car hasn't reaches 75K miles and the same issue has returned, "coolant level low - stop in a safe place".

Anyone else had similar issues?

Many thanks in advance!

Stephen

 

Hi Stephen. Are you sure it isn't a burst coolant hose?

I had the same warning around72k km mileage, and my workshop diagnosed as such (water pump was fine), and replaced the offending hose. All was well since then.

Cheers.

 

Just as a point, we kept refilling mine after a while, however continued to show the message after a while. When opening the coolant reservoir tank it would release pressurised air. We had a cracked head cylinder and gasket!

 

Thanks for the posts guys. My guess is it wasn't and external leak or it would have got spotted.

Anyhow, I took it into the dealer today and they said they said the water pump is fine but the head gasket has gone. Including the current 75, 000 mile service the bill is going to be £2000. I'm hoping they don't find head or even block issues.

How much did it cost you Oil Wilson for your repair?

Stephen

 

I also had a coolant loss issue that was diagnosed as a head gasket / cylinder head failure.

My car is a '15 plate D2 that was on 85k miles at the time.

The garage (main dealer) challenged Volvo on this and Volvo agreed to pay half even though it was out of warranty.

Total repair cost to myself was around £500.00

 

Please see this related thread.

http://www.volvov40club.com/forums/7-volvo-v40-general-discussion/31809-low-coolant-warning.html