I just finished flushing the coolant system on my old pickup. Years ago a added a 'T' fitting at the firewall on the inlet hose to the heater core which makes flushing the system with a hose very easy.

I just drain the block and rad, turn on the host, set the heater on inside and then run the engine for a few minutes till the water run clear.

I wanted to do something similar on our V70 XC but I didn't see a good spot to put a 'T' in for the heater core. Nor did I see the block or rad drains.

I wonder what the best way is to perform a proper flush on the V70?

In terms of antifreeze, is the common Prestone OK or should I stick with the factory coolant because of the metals inside the engine and cooling system?

Thanks,

RGW

If you don't want to spend a lot of money for Volvo coolant, make sure the coolant your buy is for aluminum alloy block/head engines. Do not get coolant for cast iron block engines.

The heater core is always 'open', so the heat doesn't need to be turned on to flush the system. Besides, there is only a cup of coolant in the heater core.

I always drain the system by disconnecting the bottom radiator hose at the engine. The plastic drain on the radiator can easily be broken, and that is a bummer. I will never use house water, which is quite 'hard' where I live, to clean out the rest of the coolant. You could just fill the system with a gallon of distilled water, run the engine for a minute, and then flush that.

Remember to re-clamp the hoses in the same place, if the clamp is in a new spot you could compromise the hose. And, do not over tighten!

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Drained and replaced the coolant on my 99 V70 (sort of). I didn't drain from the rear engine block. From the drain plug at the bottom of radiator, only about 5 liters of fluid came out. Manual says about 7.2 liters. So for a clean flush, fluid has to be drained from both radiator and rear engine block? Thanks.

I cheat, I pull off the bottom coolant hose from the engine block and drain both sides at the same time. I just do not like the plastic drain plug on the radiator.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Ok, I had a dirty flush. will do both side next time.

Thank you, Klaus

This all sounds like a good advice.

When I looked at my 2000 V70 XC, I noticed that the lower rad hose connects high up on the block. Did you mean to disconnect at the lowest point -- at the radiator?

I was think this lowest spot might be better however maybe the block side of the hose is better because the old plastic rad might crack when I pull off the lower hose.

I also do not like plastic radiator bits, which is why I chose the block end. You can also loosen the radiator end to turn the hose if you want, just be careful that the hose and clamp return to their original position when putting things back together.

Stupid plastic!

If you have an old shower curtain, slide that under the car.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.