Air Con: 850: - Heater core - Page 2

DaveNP · Feb 17th, 2019, 20:59

When I did mine I used one salvaged from my 'donor car' so no advice on brands, but definitely get new O rings, I got them from the local Volvo dealer and while I don't remember how much they cost it also wasn't enough that I recall the price with horror.

Volvofreak2 · Feb 17th, 2019, 22:17

Hej Elkfans,

had also the problem that the cabin smelled of coolant. Was lucky, it leaked on the top and the coolant dried off before reaching the carpet! (see picture) So nothing got wet. I replaced it by one of NRF, and I´am, so far, happy with it. But I have the feeling, that headoutput is not what it should be. May be the same problem as byootox had?

Hej Hej Gernot

SwedishBus · Feb 23rd, 2019, 15:35

The pattern items from Parts For Volvos seem a better bet than the original Behr units. I have fitted two now, one to each of my V70's, and I have had no problems whatsoever. They even come with new O-rings for the connections, although they benefit a little from having a copious smear of silicon grease on them first.

The PFV items are better than the Behr because they have a different build-up of the end-tanks, more particularly the matrix appears to be an integral solder to the end-tank inner plates, rather than the adhesive/gasket joints on the Behr. It is these latter joints that weep coolant out after time.

I think that the videos from Richard (is it Richard in the USA that does all the 850 videos?) on YouTube more-or-less say the same thing. In the extreme heat of some of the states in the USA, the matrices fail pretty quickly if they are poor quality. The PFS ones appear to address his concerns as well.

The only issue I have with the pattern items is that they are slightly thinner. That has not been a problem for me in the Highlands, but might be a problem for someone in the depths of Scandinavia, if the ultimate in heat output is important.

the rock850r · Mar 6th, 2019, 16:45

I also have a leak from the heater core, ordered new one from PFV so will be fitting at the weekend, need to watch a few videos on YouTube first though. Does anyone have any other advice that I may not see in videos that might help, need to get done before volvo600. Thanks

Cookeh · Mar 6th, 2019, 19:23

Don't be lazy and drop all your coolant before going near it. Have a drip tray ready as core and the hoses will hold about 2L of coolant.

Leak test with water before you refill with coolant and push-lease change the o-rings.

Feb 17th, 2019, 20:59	#11
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:37 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	When I did mine I used one salvaged from my 'donor car' so no advice on brands, but definitely get new O rings, I got them from the local Volvo dealer and while I don't remember how much they cost it also wasn't enough that I recall the price with horror. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

Feb 23rd, 2019, 15:35	#13
SwedishBus Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 22:13 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Isle of Skye	The pattern items from Parts For Volvos seem a better bet than the original Behr units. I have fitted two now, one to each of my V70's, and I have had no problems whatsoever. They even come with new O-rings for the connections, although they benefit a little from having a copious smear of silicon grease on them first. The PFV items are better than the Behr because they have a different build-up of the end-tanks, more particularly the matrix appears to be an integral solder to the end-tank inner plates, rather than the adhesive/gasket joints on the Behr. It is these latter joints that weep coolant out after time. I think that the videos from Richard (is it Richard in the USA that does all the 850 videos?) on YouTube more-or-less say the same thing. In the extreme heat of some of the states in the USA, the matrices fail pretty quickly if they are poor quality. The PFS ones appear to address his concerns as well. The only issue I have with the pattern items is that they are slightly thinner. That has not been a problem for me in the Highlands, but might be a problem for someone in the depths of Scandinavia, if the ultimate in heat output is important. __________________ 1998 V70 2.5 10v petrol 1997 V70 2.5 TDI

Mar 6th, 2019, 19:23	#15
Cookeh Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2022 17:04 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Derbyshire	Don't be lazy and drop all your coolant before going near it. Have a drip tray ready as core and the hoses will hold about 2L of coolant. Leak test with water before you refill with coolant and push-lease change the o-rings. __________________ 1995 Volvo 850 T5 Estate (Manual)

Mar 6th, 2019, 16:45	#14
the rock850r New Member Last Online: Dec 16th, 2020 15:00 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Tamworth	I also have a leak from the heater core, ordered new one from PFV so will be fitting at the weekend, need to watch a few videos on YouTube first though. Does anyone have any other advice that I may not see in videos that might help, need to get done before volvo600. Thanks

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