Was tracing a coolant puddle under the widemobile tonight, the 940.

Lower hose blew an aneurism at the water pump neck. Autozone had the upper only. Schlepp Boyz was closed. Kragen was closed but has a cheapo that should fit for ten bux. Ill be there when the doors open in the morning.

So check your hoses. Hers is at 90,000 miles. Conventional wisdom holds that Volvo hoses are forever. 'taint so.

My 1994 960 has 120,000 kms and I was thinking of replacing my radiator hoses when I get a chance to just as a precaution. Although I haven't done it before, I think I will now get to it sooner than later. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to how I can make this as painless as possible, or what I should also be replacing at the same time while I'm doing the hoses?

Thanks

Rod

Go ahead and replace the thermostat, and do a complete cooling system flush. The T-stat is only $10 or so. I am not sure if the 960 has this, but my wife's 95 945T has 2 small hoses that route coolant to the oil filter area. These hoses are prone to oil fouling, and if one lets go, the position of these hoses at the bottom of the engine would drain the cooling system pronto. I replaced these hoses last oil change (I used slight of hand to change them out without draining the coolant, only got a little wet with Dex-cool!).

BTW, my 91 940T has an actual oil cooler with metal pipes running from the oil filter housing, no hoses, no worry.

I plan to do the coolant warning thing next coolant change/flush cycle. Seems to be a GREAT idea.

Uh-UH! I had one--not an old one--take a dump in Kenosha, WI, Chrysler production capitol of the state. My car ended up at Billy Bob's House of Car Repairs, where it took them three days to fix, and then they claimed that I had a bad head gasket.

Then I decided I should learn about my cars. What can I say. I was younger and very car-stupid.

Try installing a loss-of-coolant sensor in your 940. All four of mine have them and they are GREAT insurance against just what happened to you. Much better than blowing the engine. See the FAQ under "cooling" for complete instructions.

By the way, you are the first report of the season. Stay tuned. Volvo will sell many headgaskets and heads based on aging hoses and water valves.

There's a saying up in East Texas that "It ain't broke, it just lacks duct tape!" Hose can be put into "limp home" mode in an emergency by wrapping bad spot (hose dried out AMAP) with vinyl electrical tape and wrapping that with duct tape. Leave the cap off the coolant recovery tank to avoid pressurizing the system. AND, therefore keep the speed down to avoid needing a pressurized system. (Pressure allows higher temp without boiling coolant.)

Good Luck,

Bob