Volvo D4-260 Coolant level dropping after service

[kennyh]

Hi all

My D4-260 was serviced at the end of last season with the coolant changed and I left it winterised until a few weeks ago.

On startup after the winter, the engine display reported that the coolant level was low, so I topped it up.

I have ran it another two times (at the marina) and on each occasion I had to again top up the coolant (maybe 100-200ml each time).

So, do I have a coolant leak somewhere, or is it normal to have the level drop after a coolant replacement (as it is just finding/filling voids in the coolant system)?

Any thoughts folks?

 

[rbcoomer]

Could just be air trapped in the system finding it's way up to the expansion tank? Have you looked for any leaks after/during running?

 

[jamie langstone]

I had volvo tamd that would drop coolant after a change but it would only happen after the engine was hot enough for the thermalstat to open. Once the engine was cool i would top up and it would remain at the correct level.

 

[kennyh]

Had a look for leaks - couldn't find any.

Hopefully it's just filling in the air gaps!

 

[julians]

Its probably just air locks working their way out.

It doesn't take much of a drop in level to trigger the alarm,something like a drop of an inch in the expansion tank will do it.

 

[volvopaul]

You need a run out to disperse the trapped air.

 

[kennyh]

You need a run out to disperse the trapped air.

Thanks all

I'll get a good night's sleep now ;-)

 

[David2452]

On our D4 I've found that if you pump the AF in through the drain tube at the bottom rather than putting it in at the expansion cap it avoids the problem of trapped air I used to get on coolant change.

 

[darryl_g]

I believe this is as expected - happened to me & also a friend - my mechanic confirmed I shouldn't worry. It only needs a small amount to top it up and then it's fine

Darryl

 

[kennyh]

Thanks All

I'll hopefully get a chance this / next week to get it out for a blast which, hopefully, will settle it down and clear any trapped air.

 

[CharlieAlpha]

My Port D6 did it recently (the one with the calorifier) after the service but my engineer [VP] did leave me with a top up can of Volvo AF so it must be normal to get some air in the system.