My daughter, freshman in college, has decided she wants to drive from Albuquerque, NM to Ouray, CO to meet her boyfriends family (This Dad is not invited). I want to make sure her Volvo 960 is road worthy and need some help.

Two problems I am aware of. The first is a power steering fluid leak (earlier post) and the second is a recently developed thirst for coolant. I did have to replace the hoses (one burst) and replace the radiator (a meeting with a parking barrier). I don't think either caused any fatal damage but not sure.

In ragards to the coolant - no milkiness in the oil and no sweet smell in the exhaust. As I was working on it earlier this evening (power steering). I went to put it up on stands and - low and behold - I saw the coolant dripping out of the hole in the frame member on the drivers side (enough drips to cause a 'puddlie' about the size of a biscuit).

Good news or bad? I think the head gasket is okay and really no problems with any of the gaskets in the engine (this would be very good). Could it be the heater core (from under the hood no evidence of leaking)? I have not pulled up corners of the cvarpet to see if there is any inside leaking. When the defroster is turned on there does not appear to be any evidence of 'fogging' and no sweet smell. However, I cannot figure out what would be causing a leak to run down the frame member. Uses about a cup every two weeks.

Help or ideas? My daughter (and more I) would appreciate it.

Thanks - Ted in Albuquerque

1996 960 - 133,000 miles