Got a Mahle Thermostat. It was the quickest + It does say it's OEM
Made in Czech Republic
Mahle Aftermarket address in Stuttgart, Germany

There's no bleed hole. I see FCP has Volvo listed ones
claiming OEM as well. do they come with the holes anymore? do I need to go straight to a dealer? If and ...

Appreciate the input. Felt like it needed a change. I'll keep an eye on it.

That plug/wiring is quite precarious just dangling down past the alternator. Gotta laugh at these cars sometimes.

Got an OEM ordered. Now need the thermostat as well.

is the green coolant still okay? I used O'Reilly's Green 50/50 mix. probably hasn't been flushed in a few years.

What do you think about the 5W40 recent switch from, 5W30?
where do you source your OEM parts? I suppose the junkyard can be ...

Thanks, visually inspected the plug. It's likely the original. But now I recall needing the sensor in a hurry last time and picked up a cheap aftermarket telling myself I would upgrade in the near future. Lesson learned. can't mess around with sensors. especially on these cars. So still have to wait ...

okay, change the oil over the weekend. I went from 5W30 to 5W40 as we've had a lot of heat and the car is getting up in mileage. got in this morning drove A very short distance and when I got back in the car it did not want to start. It started on the second or third try but check engine light will ...

okay, change the oil over the weekend. I went from 5W30 to 5W40 as we've had a lot of heat and the car is getting up in mileage. got in this morning drove A very short distance and when I got back in the car it did not want to start. It started on the second or third try but check engine light will ...

I finally tackled the tailgate wires affecting my license plate lights. while it is tricky. I managed to get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Also did the tailgate lifts while I was back there. Both were a success. They were working fine for a few days but when I randomly double-checked one ...

Switched out the Driver Window switch with one I got at the junkyard. Successfully removed and replaced the top cover and each of the 6 buttons with the ones from my original as they were nicer to the replacement unit without damaging! Good to go.

I do not weld.

Amazing detailed descriptions and pics in those links!! Unfortunately it looks like the extent of damage is quite a bit worse on mine. Not sure only bolts and a washer would be enough in that case. Not a repair I would expect on a Volvo especially with no rust. But age is a factor ...