Okay, well maybe not kill me, but it sure doesn't want me to make it home. I was about to head back home to Michigan from Mass in my (usually) trusty 89 240, when I noticed my expansion tank was empty, and a leak at the upper radiator hose where it connects to the radiator. I had a new hose, so I decided to put it on. That's when I noticed the source of my problem- the threaded part of the radiator that the hose connects to had broken off in the old hose- the source of my leak. And now there isn't really enough space for the clamp to grip on. I was hoping someone out there in Volvoland would know how to jerry-rig something that would help appease my evil, evil radiator.
Thanks alot for any help!
Mikey B

Well Mickey I had exactly the same dilema some time ago on my 740 with the same or similer plastic rad. No clamp would hold because there was not enough neck left. I did jury rig it by using some, wire and duct tape to pull the hose towards the rad, lots of silicone and then partially tightened the clamp. I left the reservoir cap loose so no pressure build up and carried lts of spare water. It got me home and lasted for a few weeks after that. I won't say I could recommend this but it worked out for me, but I am a bit of a risk taker sometimes. Whatever you do, don't let it overheat as you may cause serious damage such as blown head gasket, cracked head or worse. Later I replaced my rad with a 3 row Nissen all metal.

Good Luck

Well Mickey I had exactly the same dilema some time ago on my 740 with the same or similer plastic rad. No clamp would hold because there was not enough neck left. I did jury rig it by using some, wire and duct tape to pull the hose towards the rad, lots of silicone and then partially tightened the clamp. I left the reservoir cap loose so no pressure build up and carried lts of spare water. It got me home and lasted for a few weeks after that. I won't say I could recommend this but it worked out for me, but I am a bit of a risk taker sometimes. Whatever you do, don't let it overheat as you may cause serious damage such as blown head gasket, cracked head or worse. Later I replaced my rad with a 3 row Nissen all metal.

Good Luck

Art and the other speak true about time for a new one. Don't wanna lose a fellow Volvoite.

I have done the next day thing with a Nissens 3-row from a local Import car parts place.......

Mikey, I wouldn't drive 1/4 mile with an untrustworthy cooling system, much less risk getting stuck in traffic behind an I-80 whiteout or a lake effect blizzard.

My personal opinion is that the plastic radiator necks get trashed by bad motor mounts moreso than just from material failure -- but for your immediate situation, if IPS or FCP Groton can't get you the part in time, with the holidays and all, I had a good "emergency" experience with radiators.com. They shipped next business day from a local warehouse. I looked up the price for the 89 240 and got $102. They get $5. for overnight shipping, but $25 for Saturday delivery.

You won't get a Nissens three-row from radiators.com at this price, but possibly one that won't get you killed on the interstate waiting for help with an overheated engine.

Aha, know exactly what you mean. :-)
How much of the connecting part you have left? Not much you can do if there is nothing left, BUT if there is just a tinny little part still holding on use a lot if temperature resistant silicone smearing it all over the area and try to clamp the hose back on. Don't worry about the thing getting into your radiator, you will have to replace it anyway. In my case I was able to drive the car for a while with a slight leak. It didn't even empty the expansion tank until I got around to replacing the radiator, just a few drips now and then.

Mike,

Time for a new radiator ... Gronton and Import Parts Specialists sell them for the best prices I've found. About $170 for the Nissen three row metal. Some Bricksters have opted for the plastic/aluminum lately because of possible leaks with the metal rads when using DexCool .. At any rate the your radiator is DOA. Sorry but replacements aren't that $$$ and the repair it's self is a piece of cake. 30 Min. job at most. Check out Gronton and IPS for prices. Good people and service at both. Groton is East ... IPS is West

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo.htm

http://www.importpartsspec.com/volvo@importpartsspec.htm

Thanks for the tip T-Bone, I dont know much about radiators. The Nissen is a good one?
Mike

The Nissen 3-row rad is all metal - no plastic end tanks like the OEM unit. It's a fine radiator and available at about half the price of a Volvo rad.