Expansion tank and white smoke,

[parker13]

Thanks, coolant looks and smells ok, no oil or exhaust film, no water in the oil, just throws the coolant out the expansion tank now and again and once, the last time had loads of white smoke,steam that was very thick and dense, oil cooler sounds a possibility, had a quote of £1500 plus today to do the head gasket which will mean selling it for spares or repairs although I would love a better out come.....

[parker13]

unfortunately not the oil cooler as no oil in the water,

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by parker13

Thanks, coolant looks and smells ok, no oil or exhaust film, no water in the oil, just throws the coolant out the expansion tank now and again and once, the last time had loads of white smoke,steam that was very thick and dense, oil cooler sounds a possibility, had a quote of £1500 plus today to do the head gasket which will mean selling it for spares or repairs although I would love a better out come.....

It shouldn't do that. Too much pressure in the reservoir is causing it to throw the coolant out... definitely sounds like overheating.

You've replaced the radiator cap & thermostat already. Is the radiator in good condition, does the fan work & is the temperature needle where it should be (doesn't rise over half way)?

Admittedly, the symptoms you described initially sounded like it was the head gasket, but now I'm not so sure. It sounds a bit more encouraging as you have no water in the oil & the coolant looks/smells fine.

The head gasket is a last resort really, given how expensive it is. You need to get it properly diagnosed to know where you stand.

[parker13]

Radiator and heater matrix were replaced recently, temp gauge is always at three o-clock, never over heated,

[Luxobarge]

H/G failure is very rare on these engines, however it does sound a bit suspicious. I think I'd be doing a compression test on all 5 cylinders - you're not looking for absolute values, but you are looking for one maybe two cylinders that are down compared to the others. Worth doing both hot and cold if possible.

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by parker13

Radiator and heater matrix were replaced recently, temp gauge is always at three o-clock, never over heated,

What brand of heater matrix was fitted as there was a batch doing the rounds, reported by members, as not flowing correctly even though they were new items.

Same goes for the thermostat...does the new one have the bleed nipple as per the original Volvo (Wahler) one.

It does sound as though the HG has let go (due to over pressure?) and is now leaking coolant into a cylinder hence the steam.

[Dippydog]

As Luxobarge has said my first port of call would be a compression test looking for any cylinders that are down compared to the others.iirc a variation of 10% in the figures from highest to lowest is acceptable.

[parker13]

Discovered one speed on the fan wasn't working, replaced the relay so I suspect that's why the coolant was leaking from the expansion tank when I had stopped, white smoke/steams a mystery, could it of been because of the PVC problem ?