850 heater core issues/bypass

larrya444 · Post by **larrya444** » 10 May 2011, 18:40

Bought my 1996 Volvo 850 on a warm day and didn't notice the heat didn't work. Come to find out, the previous owners bypassed the heater core altogether. There are two hoses behind the motor connected and no hoses running to the firewall. So, do I have to buy new heater hoses, too, along with the coupling on the firewall?

Appreciate the help.

Larry

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 May 2011, 18:50

Depends how he connected it.

If it was me, I'd have just removed the hoses from the coupler that attach to the engine block and run a piece of heater hose with clamps in between them.

But some people do stupid things to fix stuff...

Picture? Do the hoses on there look like these in the upper right corner of the picture?

larrya444 · Post by **larrya444** » 10 May 2011, 20:10

Unfortunately, mine look nothing like that. There are no metal pipes attached to the hoses or the connector on the firewall. The hoses basically make an entire loop behind the motor.

Thanks,
Larry

danton · Post by **danton** » 10 May 2011, 22:06

Think you have to find where on firewall hoses were attached. Verify you have heater core and the tubes connecting at the bottom that go through the firewall. Then you should be able to determine what you need. Usually the core is disconnected if it leaks.

larrya444 · Post by **larrya444** » 11 May 2011, 07:12

I haven't pulled the under dash apart yet to see if the pipes on the inside that connect to the heater core are still there, but I am assuming (yikes) that if they went to the trouble of taking the pipes off the heater core, they would have replaced the heater core as well.

When I get home this evening, I'll try and take a picture to post with this so it's more obvious what I'm talking about. I think I'm going to have to buy new heater hoses for the engine compartment along with a new coupling. Oh. Joy.

Thanks,
Larry

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 May 2011, 07:14

I haven't pulled the under dash apart yet to see if the pipes on the inside that connect to the heater core are still there, but I am assuming (yikes) that if they went to the trouble of taking the pipes off the heater core, they would have replaced the heater core as well.

My guess would be they removed them because the heater core was leaking.

You'll probably need to do it all - coupling, heater hoses, and heater core. The metal pipes/old core are probably still there.

larrya444 · Post by **larrya444** » 11 May 2011, 07:28

Pretty much figured. I've been reading up here on how to do the heater core and it sounds like a pain in the rump but nothing extraordinary. Heater hoses should be fairly straight forward, correct? And what about the coupling? How does that attach to the firewall?

I just rebuilt the entire front suspension, steering components, brakes and drive axles on my poor car. I feel as if I can do anything. Is this going to be a nightmare that sneaks up on me?

Appreciate everyone's input.

Larry

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 May 2011, 07:31

Nah; the heater core is actually super easy on these cars. You'll be done with that part in 40 minutes or less. The hoses that attach to the engine itself might require some contortioning to get to, though.

I *think* the coupling is held in from the inside by a few screws. It might even still be there; I didn't replace mine when I did the heater core, though some say they are very brittle and break.

larrya444 · Post by **larrya444** » 11 May 2011, 07:50

The coupling is still there, but I read the same thing as you -- just replace it. FCPGroton lists it for 30 some bucks. Beats $865 Volvo of Lisle wants for the job.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 11 May 2011, 13:19

Yeah, heater core is almost as easy as brake pads.

FWIW, here's a write-up that makes things a little easier - and cheaper:
http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850- ... nes-46740/