Volvo Part Failure.
Discussion
Evening all.
Just been out to car to do general checks (Fluids etc) and noticed coolant alittle down so went to remove the cap and it's basically come apart. Half is stuck in the tank filler neck and half is in my hand!
Not a huge issue and could free it with alittle work but the tank was fitted by a Volvo Specialist back end of last year during the Cam Belt change so is less than 12 months old. In order to free it I'd probably destroy the section that is stuck. First time I've had to unscrew the cap since new tank was fitted.
So does anyone think I'm best taking it back to the garage and assuming it's covered under some sort of warranty? Or should I drive to Volvo dealer, remove cap part that is stuck whilst there then buy a new cap from them?
The garage is great and have done a fair few jobs on the car. I'm fairly friendly with them but don't want them thinking I'm taking the michael with such a daft little problem expecting it covered under a warranty.
Just been out to car to do general checks (Fluids etc) and noticed coolant alittle down so went to remove the cap and it's basically come apart. Half is stuck in the tank filler neck and half is in my hand!
Not a huge issue and could free it with alittle work but the tank was fitted by a Volvo Specialist back end of last year during the Cam Belt change so is less than 12 months old. In order to free it I'd probably destroy the section that is stuck. First time I've had to unscrew the cap since new tank was fitted.
So does anyone think I'm best taking it back to the garage and assuming it's covered under some sort of warranty? Or should I drive to Volvo dealer, remove cap part that is stuck whilst there then buy a new cap from them?
The garage is great and have done a fair few jobs on the car. I'm fairly friendly with them but don't want them thinking I'm taking the michael with such a daft little problem expecting it covered under a warranty.
Thanks guys, reinforced what I thought. Had a look on Fleabay and can get a cap for about £6 so really not worth possibly irritating a good garage for such an insignificant amount.
One thing, does anyone know if I secure the top of the cap back down, will it hold still? Car is going on a long run to Cardiff and back this week and not going to have time to get the cap and sort it before I go down I reckon.
Main body is stuck solid and can thread the top back on, just the body and cap aren't connected anymore. Coolant is down but only just below the max, loads in it still.
One thing, does anyone know if I secure the top of the cap back down, will it hold still? Car is going on a long run to Cardiff and back this week and not going to have time to get the cap and sort it before I go down I reckon.
Main body is stuck solid and can thread the top back on, just the body and cap aren't connected anymore. Coolant is down but only just below the max, loads in it still.
Quite common.
Vauxhall caps do it too... seems the 'screw in' part sticks, perhaps as the rubber seal swells with age and then the 'cap' section comes off or breaks. It can sometimes be a bugger to get the stuck bit unstuck. But yes, if it's still on tight, pop the top back on and it should be fine. Order a new one, it's no biggie.
Vauxhall caps do it too... seems the 'screw in' part sticks, perhaps as the rubber seal swells with age and then the 'cap' section comes off or breaks. It can sometimes be a bugger to get the stuck bit unstuck. But yes, if it's still on tight, pop the top back on and it should be fine. Order a new one, it's no biggie.
Even if the tank was new, it's doesn't necessarily follow that the cap was too unless you know different. Some Ford's and Jaguar's have similar problems with their header tank caps.
I'd be wary though of taking it on a long run if it isn't 100%. If that cap isn't fully secure it could blow out whilst under pressure, you'll quickly lose the coolant and cook the engine if you're unlucky.
I'd be wary though of taking it on a long run if it isn't 100%. If that cap isn't fully secure it could blow out whilst under pressure, you'll quickly lose the coolant and cook the engine if you're unlucky.
Thanks for the replies Davie and Matt.
It is properly stuck in place! Can imagine it's going to be a pain to get it out. Feel fairly confident now it should hold. Considering either using grips on both sides and pulling or drilling into the cap and inserting a couple of screws to use as leverage. Cross that bridge when I get to it.
New cap is ordered so if that arrives before I need to go, I'll swap it round. If not, based on what Davie says, I reckon it will hold out. Will be keeping a close eye on it though.
Thanks for all the advice everyone and backing what I was thinking.
It is properly stuck in place! Can imagine it's going to be a pain to get it out. Feel fairly confident now it should hold. Considering either using grips on both sides and pulling or drilling into the cap and inserting a couple of screws to use as leverage. Cross that bridge when I get to it.
New cap is ordered so if that arrives before I need to go, I'll swap it round. If not, based on what Davie says, I reckon it will hold out. Will be keeping a close eye on it though.
Thanks for all the advice everyone and backing what I was thinking.
Keeping an eye on it won't work.
I had a Volvo with LPG on it. After servicing the LPG evaporator thingie it leaked and blew a significant amount of the water out the engine. The temp gauge didn't move till I slowed back down from motorway speeds when it promptly hit the top. Not all the coolant was blown out - about 50% or so (from memory)
Actually did it twice, and car did another 75+k on, without issues afterwards so I was lucky.
After that I replaced the evaporator with a new one and never serviced one again, always replaced.
I had a Volvo with LPG on it. After servicing the LPG evaporator thingie it leaked and blew a significant amount of the water out the engine. The temp gauge didn't move till I slowed back down from motorway speeds when it promptly hit the top. Not all the coolant was blown out - about 50% or so (from memory)
Actually did it twice, and car did another 75+k on, without issues afterwards so I was lucky.
After that I replaced the evaporator with a new one and never serviced one again, always replaced.
The lower section creates the seal, the top section screws on and thus keeps it all in place so whilst the two are no longer physical as one, it'd still act as it should. I ran my wife's V50 like this for a couple of weeks whilst I forgot to order a new cap.
As an aside, is it a genuine expansion tank? Sometimes an aftermarket one can be of poorer tolerances or indeed the cap may have simply had enough... they don't last forever. I also put a smear of grease round the rubber o-ring, seems to help matters and lessen the chances of the cap failing.
As an aside, is it a genuine expansion tank? Sometimes an aftermarket one can be of poorer tolerances or indeed the cap may have simply had enough... they don't last forever. I also put a smear of grease round the rubber o-ring, seems to help matters and lessen the chances of the cap failing.
Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff