Wet carpet, heater core?

[kwakman]

Hi all
I am new to volvo ownership, i have a 440 1.8si with a problem.
coolant going down and footwell carpet wet so assume heater core has `popped`. My question is is it possible to replace it without having to take the dashboard out?.
Any advice much appriciated.

[ahal]

Hi Kwakman,

Can't offer much help for the specific problem you mention, but there are a few other things worth checking while you're at it. I've had plenty of puddles in my 440:

1/ Leaky bootseal ( both between body and seal and tailgate )
2/ Leaky backlights
3/ Number plate holes drilled through boot
4/ Seal around fuel filler pipe / housing - perished with fuel over years?
5/ Badly fitted replacement windscreen

Just thought I'd mention.

Regards,

Anthony.

[kwakman]

Cheers Ahal
Carpet wet in front footwells, mostly passenger side. Water in the carpet feels greasy, have pulled carpet back and coolant is dripping off the matrix box under the dash.
I can understand your windscreen idea as ive had that on other cars in the past.

[Paul Clifton]

you will need to remove the centre console and then associated air pipework but not the complete dash.

Paul.

[kwakman]

Hi all
in the last hour ive got stuck-in and removed the heater matrix and found it to be a pretty easy job, my method was:-
1- remove centre console to expose the heater box
2- remove suport bracket (4 bolts) and 2 corrigated heater pipes (compress
and pop out)
3- remove 6 7mm bolt from heater box (3 each side) and pull off cover, this
was bonded in place with mastic so took some removing. the matrix is
now exposed.
4- tricky bit now, locate by feel plastic clamp on the inlet and outlet pipes
for the heater ( at bottom of matrix reach under and up ) 8mm bolt in
middle, remove it, clamp will hinge to one side (i broke mine!).
5- under bonnet disconnect heater pipes, back in car wiggle matrix out----
et volia its out.

Have got a second-hand one from a breakers, tested ready to fit for £20
to pick up tomorrow.
I hope this will be of help to other members, no need to pay garage prices!!

[jlgrosvenor]

I have had water in the front passenger (and rears on occasion) footwell too. These were down to I think three issues, but I have never been able to clarify the third one, and it has never happened since.

1) The rear light seals are a known weakpoint. I silicon sealed them a few years ago with clear bathroom sealant. Never leaked since

2) The air con drain pipe (behind the engine near - a little L-shaped rubber thing over a black pipe about 8mm in diameter) gets blocked. This over time fills up the box holding the heater fan which you can see if you remove the black plastic cover near the top of the front left suspension arm. Remove the rubber thing and poke a wire coat hanger into the hole if it is really blocked in an attempt to disturb what ever may be causing the blockage

3) During ultra heavy rain (above super and mega heavy rain) I have found the water cannot escape from the drain holes in the front doors quick enough. I think this was combined with the particular camber and slope the car was parked on. As I said, this has not happened since.


Whenever my car has leaked (not including number 2 above) it has been particularly bad when parked on a steep slope facing down hill.