Engine coolant refill for EGR clean - Vacuum or not?

[PNorth]

Hi I have a 2016 V60 D3 Automatic, with 72k miles on the clock. VEA engine platform I believe. Been suffering with pesky check engine light. Using Car Scanner pro was getting a MAF fault. Checked the sensor and it is registering flow ok I think. Further investigating found that this could be due to MAP sensor issues so I've worked my way through - checked for vacuum leaks, cleaned MAP sensor pipe (it was clogged) and thought that had done the trick. Errors disappeared for a while but now intermittently getting P04D9 Closed loop EGR low flow detected error. Resets and is fine for a while then same error comes back. Using live monitoring the EGR position seems to be following the commanded position no problem and swirl valve seems ok too. Seems the EGR clogging is a common fault, so I'm guessing it is just on the edge of being gunked up... To remove to clean or replace I need to drain and refill the engine coolant. Is it OK to refill this without using a vacuum refill? If not using a vacuum refill does anyone have any tips or anything to watch out for, to sure all of the air is out of it once refilled? I understand on some systems heaters can be above reservoir and so can be impossible to get the air out of without vacuum refilling. Second question - if vacuum is best, does anyone know how to do this without an air compressor? I don't really have a regular need for one and don't want to have to buy just for this one job unless I must...

[GrahamBrown1]

The correct and proper way is to vac fill, it’s the norm now on any modern vehicle to avoid the possibility of localised component over heating.

When I did the EGR and cooler on ours I just drained the coolant out the rad and refilled. The car bled up easily and I never had a problem.

However the official way is the vac fill. It’s also quicker and saves bleeding and confirms you have zero leaks before you fill the system. I generally use this method if I can bothered with the faff of setting it up or if it’s on something that I know can be a pig to bleed up.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by PNorth

Hi I have a 2016 V60 D3 Automatic, with 72k miles on the clock. VEA engine platform I believe. Been suffering with pesky check engine light. Using Car Scanner pro was getting a MAF fault. Checked the sensor and it is registering flow ok I think. Further investigating found that this could be due to MAP sensor issues so I've worked my way through - checked for vacuum leaks, cleaned MAP sensor pipe (it was clogged) and thought that had done the trick. Errors disappeared for a while but now intermittently getting P04D9 Closed loop EGR low flow detected error. Resets and is fine for a while then same error comes back. Using live monitoring the EGR position seems to be following the commanded position no problem and swirl valve seems ok too. Seems the EGR clogging is a common fault, so I'm guessing it is just on the edge of being gunked up... To remove to clean or replace I need to drain and refill the engine coolant. Is it OK to refill this without using a vacuum refill? If not using a vacuum refill does anyone have any tips or anything to watch out for, to sure all of the air is out of it once refilled? I understand on some systems heaters can be above reservoir and so can be impossible to get the air out of without vacuum refilling. Second question - if vacuum is best, does anyone know how to do this without an air compressor? I don't really have a regular need for one and don't want to have to buy just for this one job unless I must...

There are 2 separate cooling circuits for the VEA engine with many different components and hoses and passageways.
Vacuum filling is mandatory and works a treat. Use volvo coolant too it is very economic and no change intervals so works out the best AND cheapest way of doing it.

[PNorth]

Hi GrahamBrown1 and Clan for your prompt responses and sharing your experiences. I thought Vacuum fill was probably the way to go, but wanted to double check before I went to the expense of buying the kit. I'd have been scunnered if I'd bought it all only to discover it really wasn't needed...

[rxtian]

I just had my cooler off and barely lost any coolant. Literally just what was in the cooler itself.

I was surprised as I’d bought new coolant and distilled water!

[PNorth]

Thanks rxtian - that's interesting - assume with the cap on the reservoir it might not drain out put if there is no way for air to get in? I might be lucky, but need to be prepared.