Are you talking about this part (#2):
http://www.tascaparts.com/volvo/s40...as-engine/cooling-system-cat/radiator-and-components-scat/?part_name=upper-hose

Is the repair labor intensive? @ $21 the hose is a lot cheaper than I was thinking.

 

I just replaced mine last week. The car has 183K miles and I was replacing the right side motor mount and noticed a rather fresh drip on the skid plate. Looks like God was smiling on me as I caught it just in time. One of the plastic "T's" had several cracks and the hose that goes over to the thermostat housing was looking rather soft. It had been raining in the morning but after going to the dealer and eyeing a fresh V60, the Sun came out and the breeze picked up to dry things out (God still smiling). The hardest part was getting the air-box out and in and getting to the hose clamp on the radiator. I found it easiest to get the Medusa hose out and in from underneath the car rather than from above. The job wasn't the easiest but not too bad.

 

Here's what I plan to do to mitigate the issue in my car so I don't burn down an engine -

A Brass T going into the hose connecting the reservoir to the block.
A piece of hose coming off that out portion of the T and then a generic coolant level sensor from autozone
Connecting that to a 12v LED in the cabin that will turn on when it gets below that level so I know TURN THE CAR OFF NOW.

Just some stuff for yall if you're interested.

 

A Volvo technican in our local volvo group recently told me about this! Quite scary since I'm at about 106k on my 2007 T5 AWD. I will just likely just have both upper radiator hoses replaced.

 

Is the labor difficult? Any other pointers for the S40's you can tell us?

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That hose is only for automatics. Manuals have a different hose.

This hose does normally break at the plastic T, and drips down onto the transmission. Mine went at 160k. While you're in there, the lower hose could be replacement.

It's not a different repair, the only issue is that it is basically a giant nest of hoses. It will take some time to snake them all through to their proper locations, but can be done. It is easiest to remove the airbox; which gives you the most clearance. I did mine from underneath without having to remove anything.

When the hose fails, you'll see your temp gauge shoot way up into the red. Also, the car will throw a red triangle and tell you to stop the car. (Ask me how I know!) this failure, as shown on the temp gauge, corresponds to the RPMs. Higher revs- further into the red. If you can't immediately stop, make sure you get the revs low so your temp gauge is no longer in the red, and stop it somewhere safe. Definitely not something to try to make it home on. Get it towed home and then snake the new hose in.

 

That hose is only for automatics. Manuals have a different hose.

Anyone know if the hose on the manual fails as well?

 

I just had a new radiator and hoses installed last week (I've had a super slow leak for a long time). The hoses really do snake around down there compared to a normal American V8 that I'm used to working on.

 

Thats where mine failed. 27$ part and about 2 hours with the car and I changed it myself. Added CAI while at it as well and I used maybe a few pliers and no more than 3 sockets and some ramps.

i cant imagine it be too difficult for anyone who knows what a wrench looks like.

Mine also failed at the T-Fitting it split and it spit the rear hose out.

 

Wonder if snabb makes a stronger hose?

 

Quick search of their website reveals that they don't have a coolant hose set, I guess iPD has the market for now!

 

Is it a high failure rate? I got 183K miles out of the original hose. I had to replace the hoses on my Toyota Sienna at 120K miles and it doesn't have plastic "T's".

 

I just think it's a part people rarely think about replacing until it fails! With our cars not having a coolant level sensor it's even more of an issue.
AutoGeek, where in Howard county are you? I'm surprised I haven't seen you around

 

I'm in Ellicott City almost to Elkridge.

 

Ah neat! Im in Halethorpe (Baltimore county) just on the other side of Elkridge. You should come out to some of the local meets!

 

Where and when do you all meet?

 

The V50 was in for another front wheel bearing change (#5!)....
The tech noticed pooling of radiator fluid in the belly pan... Looks like the lower radiator hose has a slow leak :-(

Is it recommended to change all the radiator hoses?

It's a V50 T5 AWD manual with 220K km.

 

Well I just ordered top and bottom radiator hoses from IPD

Don't believe I've seen an "how-to change radiator hoses" sticky or video anywheree.. any hints guys??

 

It's easier to get to with the airbox out. (ignore the yellow arrows, it's for another writeup)

 

Just to add, my parents' S40 experienced coolant loss and overheating, they had to have the head gasket done and the head machined. At 70,000 miles! Crazy.. The worst part is that the hose didn't actually fail, one of the stainless hose clamps split apart!

 

Replaced mine earlier today...maybe 6/10 in terms of difficulty. Hardest part was reaching the weirdly angled hose clamps. Those took about 20 min then fishing the hose out took around 5 min: 4 min and 30 seconds trying to shift the other hoses/wires around, and 30 seconds to cut it into 3 pieces and easily pull them out. Install took <10min. Definitely much quicker if you're not running the stock airbox.

 

So this post specifically is for automatic transmissions? I know its good to replace on every car but manual has a lower failure rate?

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The hose for the manual trannny has fewer connections so it likely has a lower failure rate.

 

^ does that mean it's less of a PITA to replace? Might order the IPD hoses before my car turns 100,000

 

Failure rate is fairly equal. I'd still replace either at 100k. Manual hose is definitely easier to install.

 

Case in point - PO of my M66 V50 had the hose pop which caused overheating and eventually a top end rebuild. So, it happens.

 

I was lucky- my over-flow tank (reservoir) was cracked and spewed coolant out 2 days ago after getting to work at just over 70K miles. Had to replace it in order to drive home. Borrowed a car after hunting by phone. Only place with the replacement was the dealer- oh well!

Since then I've been giving thoughts to a low coolant level sensor to insert into the reservoir and have started a thread regarding this. Any thoughts on this? I will have something installed in my car within the next few weeks. I just can't imagine a Volvo without that early warning system!

 

I just bought this.

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/10083/121335-silicone-radiator-hose-kit-blue-p1-manual-transmission

I assume this kit has all the hoses covered?

 

Yep that's what I did when I had everything apart for the head swap (timing belt failure). It has everything you need. I found the plastic T cracked, but not yet leaking. The silicone looks and feels much more durable, and since it's vulcanized as one unit there are no weak points...

I also did the boost and vacuum hoses while I was in there, the high-temp boost was pretty bad, as was the IC-charge pipe, and some of the vacuum hoses that run over the head.

 

There was a time when people were leery of using silicone hoses for the coolant system. I remember years ago some idiot on VS giving me grief because I was selling a set of Samco's. I honestly don't know if there actually was a problem back then, or if it was just internet-induced myth. I'm hoping that if IPD is selling them they must feel confident in the application.