The picture below shows two Coolant Reservoirs. The one on the left is from my son's 1984 760T. This Coolant Reservoir had been replaced once with one manufactured in 1986 (shown). It has been modified to include the float switch per the nice instructions in the 700/900 FAQ. This isn't the first 700 series reservoir I've seen with a broken plastic nipple. One last year cost the owner an engine and the installation.

The Coolant Reservoir on the right is from a 960. It comes with a float switch, and it is more robust. The plastic nipple is reinforced with a steel sleeve, and shouldn't break off like the 700 series one. The tank has internal reinforcement, too. I've had a 740 Coolant Reservoir crack.

Hi John.
i had one break saturday on the 95 940T.
the wife said when she got home the fan was running for about ten minutes.
so i fired up the car and finally found a small crack above where the reinforcement sleve is located.
i had a like new 700 series resivoir on hand so i zip tied it to the old bracket and hooked it up. better get a new 940 setup.
i did add a 960 resivoir to my 94 and added the light but havent wired it up yet. better get on it.
nice post
later
Mike

Thank You for this post. That - checking and likely swapping out the round reservoir on my wagon - is now in my short list for things to do with the car.

Hi John,

Good to see that you are still above ground!

Great post! I really never thought about coolant level or putting a switch in there, but I did have a need of tank switch the other day and found a small 12VDC flanged through wall mount at Newark Electronics (www.newark.com) for about $40.00. Part number 65k8990 for high temp apps. This would be perfect for triggering an LED or audible alarm in the dash on low water and is small enough to fit in a standard reservoir.

Regards,
--
Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com, www.dallasprecision.com 86 245 DL 222K miles, 93 940 260K miles, 88 765 GLE 152K miles

Great post. Now that I know about an option that I can get, I have to have it and will be adding an updated reservoir c/w the level float once I find a junk 960.

I guess it pays to keep an eye on your water temperature gauge too.

Hi John
Nice post and pix. I have a couple 940's which have the new style reservoir sans the float. In your opinion does the new style reservoir with the steel insert in the outlet ever need to be replaced(if original) or does the steel insert essentially take care of the one weakness in that design? Also if I were to replace prophylactically would you recommend going with the boneyard or get a new one from Tasca or FCP?
Thanks
Matt

I think the 960 reservoirs with the steel insert have a very long life. I've bought nice used ones so far. A used one with also come with the float switch. I'd check any used on for being sound and having plastic that wasn't crystallizing or turning yellow.

Thanks to Steve Ringlee for the original idea to add a coolant loss sensor to 700 series cars. I've had trouble with the floats going bad in hot coolant, so the 960 reservoir is my solution.
--
john

I'm putting a switch and a warning buzzer on my 940 as soon as I can find a junk 960 to grab the switch from.

Hello
i checked out about 10-15 960s in the yards and all the rssivoirs had plenty of wear and are allready 10+ years old.
i think the new ones are about 36.00$ from tasca or FCP.
good luck
mike

I just replaced my tank with a new one from Volvo. I saw a drip at the nipple and just as I tried to tighten the hose it broke off. I replaced the hose to the turbo/radiator and the tank.

The new tank seemed heavier than the original

Hawk

A member who can not remember his password.

1990 760T 285,000 miles

New owner of a 1996 850 133,000 with his fingers crossed.