Radiator leak in '88 Volvo 240 DL?

Question

I just purchased a nice 1988 Volvo 240 DL wagon. However, it has a radiator leak. I have been putting water in the radiator every morning before driving it and also every night before coming home. I would like to get this problem fixed ultimately, but I do not have the money to do this now.

A friend of mine recommended that I go to Auto Zone and buy some Radiator Stop Leak to temporarily fix the problem. But when I called a local mechanic, he said "No! It will ruin your car." So I guess my question is, what is the best temporary fix? Will stop leak damage my car? And how much should it cost to repair this problem (I live in Tennessee) so that when I do get it fixed I am not overcharged? :)

Thank you for all responses!

Answer 1

It depends on the leak. Radiator stop leak works in some cases but certainly not all. Used wrong it can clog up the whole radiator. I thought I was a pretty knowledgeable mechanic, but put some stop leak in to get home from a trip and then had the radiator replaced. After a few hundred miles I went back to have an over heating problem looked at and they found the stop leak had partially plugged the new radiator. So if you use this as a temporary measure, have the cooling system flushed when you get the radiator repaired.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Radiator leak in '88 Volvo 240 DL?
I just purchased a nice 1988 Volvo 240 DL wagon. However, it has a radiator leak. I have been putting water in the radiator every morning before driving it and also every night before coming home. I would like to get this problem fixed ultimately, but I do not have the money to do this now. ...

Answer 3

1988 Volvo 240 Dl Wagon

Answer 4

Gosh, I sympathize I have a leaking one too. Is it the radiator or a hose? I used the stop leak on a past car and had to have the radiator replaced , it did clog the thing up , so I would stay away from it . I paid about 250 for a new radiator , don't know if that was a good price or not. Good Luck.

Answer 5

If coolant is not pouring out of the radiator in a steady stream, try the stop leak product. The kind with the unidentifiable pellets in it seems to work pretty well but follow the instructions on the container to the letter. DO NOT put this stuff in a cold engine. I'd try just about everything before spending the money on a new radiator. Price of a new one? $300-400.

Answer 6

oh dear. that sounds like a head gasket it to me.. that is no oil fill cap. usual actually oil wont even come back out of the fill even when running.. that guy really cheated you out of your money. but. cant cry over spilt milk so i would recommend not driving it anymore and bringing it to your local TRUSTED mechanic who can take a look at it. depending on the motor and the problem.. i would have to guess.. expect to pay in the 500-1000 range depending on the difficulty on taking off the valve covers. also could be a easy fix like plugs.. but that would be gasoline all over your engine compartment, not oil... i am guessing a head gasket also could be a crankcase pressure release hose that has come undone. i know on the alfa romeo's it sits right behind the valve covers and if the hose is not attached to the charcoal canister. oil will spray everywhere (of course that's a totally different car designed very differently then this volvo. you might have a slanted 5 where the alfa is a V6) but both would have crank case pressure realize valves somewhere... i dont know though how it would be set up on your volvo, but possibilityher possibilityy.. hopefully that's the only problem with the car... hope this helps! sincerely, John K

Answer 7

Local mechanic just wants the job , plenty of good radiator stop leak products, work well short term on slow leaks , but a new radiators cheaper than a new motor !!!!

Answer 8

We have had very good luck on several occasions with a product called "Mendtite".

All stop leak products are not the same.

You would be spending your time wisely if you search it out.

It is always a good idea to try the $6 fix before you replace the radiator.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

find the leak(s).
get some bubble gum. not any other kind pink bubble gum.
chew it just long enough to get it soft and sugary.
pack it in tight, leave the cap off run the engine for about a half hour to cook it tight,.then add antifreeze
i put a hole clear through my radiator one time and used this cure. when i sold the truck 5 years later, it still held.
when you have bux, get another radiator.

Answer 10

for 88 you still may have a metal radiater and these can be repaired by any decent radiator shop. if plastic tanks on aluminium core go to a salvage yard and pick up a used brass tank radiator and have it rodded out and pressure checked. my 89 is metal and appears original.