1980 Volvo 240 Radiator, connectors and fluid capacity

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Wolfgang - 05 Sep 2004 20:18 GMT

1980 Volvo 240 Radiator, connectors and fluid capacity

I want to remove/replace the radiator of my 1980 Volvo DL. I found
that it is relatively easy to take out the radiator, except for the
two thin metal lines connecting to it (see images
http://www.alexandria.ucsb.edu/~rnott/tmp/Volvo240_radiatorLinesDetail.JPG
and
http://www.alexandria.ucsb.edu/~rnott/tmp/Volvo240_radiatorLines.JPG
).

My questions are:

1)
I have trouble loosening the connections of the two metal (aluminum?)
lines going to the radiator, the ones above and below the thick rubber
hose. Is it just a matter of applying brute force or more WD40? (I
don't want to break off or damage the lines, though). What is the
function of those metal lines, anyway?

2) What is the colling fluid (antifreeze) capacity of the radiator?
And does that include the air conditioner fluid (the air conditioner
sits in front of the radiator). I don't want to drain the radiator
before I buy enough fluid to refill it.

Thanks for any information.

Wolfgang,
Santa Barbara, CA

P.S.: I've the Haynes "Volvo 240 Series Owners Workshop Manual 1984
edition", and I find in nearly useless. Any recommendations for what
better manual I could buy (Or links on the net)?

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Stewart Hargrave - 05 Sep 2004 22:21 GMT

>1980 Volvo 240 Radiator, connectors and fluid capacity
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>don't want to break off or damage the lines, though). What is the
>function of those metal lines, anyway?

These lines are the cooling circuit for the gearbox. Inside the
radiator is a copper vessel that these two pipes connect to, and the
transmission fluid runs through. This is in turn immersed in the water
of the radiator, so it all tends to run at the same temperature.

The connectors are collar nuts, so the pipe doesn't turn when the nut
is turned. Grip the brass part (that is attached to the radiator) with
a close fitting spanner, or if it is very tight, vice grips, and then
use another spanner to apply force to the collar nut to undo it. You
may lose a little oil from the lower one; make sure you replace it
with new into the gearbox dipstick hole.

>2) What is the colling fluid (antifreeze) capacity of the radiator?
>And does that include the air conditioner fluid (the air conditioner
>sits in front of the radiator). I don't want to drain the radiator
>before I buy enough fluid to refill it.

IIRC the capacity is about 2 gallons (UK measure - 20 fl oz = 1 pint);
the mix of antifreeze with water will vary depending upon your local
climate - it should tell you on the can. The AC is a separate system.

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