Hello All,

For several years now I've been using Advance Auto Parts Antifreeze/coolant instead of Volvo coolant due to the significant difference in price. According to the label on Advance Antifreeze/coolant, it "is compatable, formulated and recommended for use with ANY antifreeze/coolant in ANY make or model of car or light duty truck." and the label also says "...Advance Auto Parts Antifreeze/Coolant may be added to the antifreeze/coolant of ANY foreign or domestic make or model automobile duty truck on the road."

It doesn't specifically say safe to use with alumnium engines, but does contain ethylene glycol (107-21-1), diethylene glygol (111-46-6), sodium 2-ethyl hexanoate (19766-89-3) and sodium neodecanoate (31548-27-3).

A container of Volvo coolant I saved indicates on the label that it too contains ethlene glycol and Diethylene Glycol along with other chemicals that are not listed on the Advance Auto Parts coolant.

For several years I've run my two '96 850s and '99 XC with Advance Auto Parts Anti-Freeze/Coolant which I change every fall, so the cooling system is flushed once a year. I haven't had any problems with any of the cars. However, a few days ago, the '99 XC developed a leak in the head gasket with only 94,000 miles on the odemeter. The two 850s have 270K and 200K respectively with no cooling problems or no head gasket problems (knock on wood). The '99 XC has never overheated and again the coolant is flushed every year as are the two 850s.

I'm concerned now that possibly the head gasket developed a leak because I wasn't using Volvo coolant. It is a big ticket repair (approx. $1,800) I'd like to hear the opinions and experience of others as to whether the failure to use Volvo coolant may have caused the head gasket to develop a leak. It could be just a fluke. As an aside, my independent Volvo mechanic mentioned he had another XC in his shop that was a year or two newer than mine, with far less miles that developed the same problem. He didn't recall if it was the same cylinder as my XC. Thanks to all who respond.

Hugh