Volvo 850 heater core replacement 2

[precopster]

IMy only question is: What are the part numbers for the rubber heater hoses that run from the coupler to the block?

Look up the hoses part numbers on FCP Groton's site under '99 model. They have no listing under 2000 model; at least not for the NA model. I brought it to one of their guy's attention but things being usual there.....

Used this heater core myself a month ago on my 2000 V70 na WITH NEW COUPLER and hoses. Job went like a dream.
If you're going to bypass the coupler pull the L shaped tubes out and use the old coupler as a grommet; saves the risk of chafing the hoses as they pass through the firewall which is something you definitely don't want.

[mtd240]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be buying the Ebay heater core - that is a ridiculously low price with good reviews.

I want to keep the stock coupler, etc. If it were my car, I might try something "custom", but since it is my future brother-in-law's, I would rather keep it stock.

I found the heater hose PN#s. Total for everything comes out to $182 (coupler kit and hoses from tasca). Not bad, especially since I started out with the assumption that the heater core would be >$100 on its own.

Is there anything else I am missing? Is replacing the heater hoses a logical thing to do, or is there alot more work involved? Hoping for a "Loosen clamp. Remove Hose. Install new hose. Tighten clamp." type of procedure.

[cn90]

That is certainly up to you.

Personally, if this were me:
1. Ebay heater core = $40
2. Heater Hose = $6 for 6-feet

Total = $46.

Permanent fix. Just inform your brother-in-law this is what you do.
This mod (bypassing the coupler) is 10x better than the factory junk.
If the Volvo engineers see this mod, they will be jealous!

[mtd240]

That is certainly up to you.

Personally, if this were me:
1. Ebay heater core = $40
2. Heater Hose = $6 for 6-feet

Total = $46.

Permanent fix. Just inform your brother-in-law this is what you do.
This mod (bypassing the coupler) is 10x better than the factory junk.
If the Volvo engineers see this mod, they will be jealous!

Very tempting..I think I might give it a try. Saving $140 might be worth it

[cn90]

This is the DIY that you need:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=44948

See the pic by "erikv11".

[mtd240]

This is the DIY that you need:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=44948

See the pic by "erikv11".

Yeah I saw that - looks pretty simple. What kind of pipe cutter were you talking about using?

[cn90]

Ask any plumber and they will tell you they use pipe cutter to cut copper pipe for home plumbing.
Just tighten the tool, then rotate it, then tighten it, then rotate it until it cuts through.
It is $8-10 at Home Depot, get the mini cutter so it fits better in that space.

http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing-Plumb ... ogId=10053

Youtube has some videos. The tool is very easy to use.

[precopster]

That is certainly up to you.

Personally, if this were me:
1. Ebay heater core = $40
2. Heater Hose = $6 for 6-feet

Total = $46.

Permanent fix. Just inform your brother-in-law this is what you do.
This mod (bypassing the coupler) is 10x better than the factory junk.
If the Volvo engineers see this mod, they will be jealous!

Sorry to nitpick but you forgot the price of 2 extra hose clamps for the cabin side costing about $1.50 each so around $49 all up. These couplers below are ready to protect hose.
You can cut the metal pipes a little shorter and get a great looking noise cancelling grommet which looks factory made. Fits 5/8 hose perfectly.

With a bit of pulling and penetrant spray they gut very easily.

[mtd240]

I am thinking that the only reason Volvo used the method they did (metal pipe to coupler to rubber hose) was safety. It leaves the weakest link, and the most catastrophic failure mode (rubber hose exploding/popping) in the engine bay. Putting the metal pipe in the cabin prevents a catastrophic "boiling hot coolant hose explosion" from happening right at the driver's feet/legs.

Will do some more thinking on this..

[precopster]

That's very good analytical thinking and certainly food for thought. In RHD countries it's on the passenger side so not as catastrophic an event if this happens; at least not for the driver. As hoses age I can see the lazy scenario happening: "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" until one day.........

Honestly who is going to do back contortions to replace hose every 2-3 years, spill and recover coolant just to be safe? We're replacing our heater cores because they're broken. The same can be said of any other ongoing repair work on 10+ year old cars.