Don't panic.

We're currently driving our Volvos # 3, 4, and 5. In our experience the radiators lasted more like 15 years, 200-250 K miles. I would guess that unknowing mechanics twisting hoses off the connectors has a lot to do with their cracking.

Volvo radiators had a couple later versions that were improvements over the original. If your radiator has one of these, you might just keep it. Since I can't tell without seeing the inside of the connectors, I can only suggest carefully removing one hose to see in there.

1) Probably an early improvement. The hose connectors are nylon. Including the approx. 5/8" or 3/4" one for the bottom of coolant reservoir. They look yellow-white and not black plastic. Mine show brown staining, like they picked up some iron from the block or from impure water. (Actually, you can spot this type with hoses on if you look very carefully. The nylon is "set into" the plastic end cap, and there are rectangular demarcation lines where pieces join.)

2) Probably more recent. Metal sleeves within plastic connectors. Apparently to give them some additional strength. I think I'd really need to pull one of the 2 big hoses to spot one of these.


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Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 850 mi/week commute. '89 245 #2 (wifemobile). '90 244 (spare, runs).