Lessons learned and tips? TB/SB, Heater core, and PCV.

[streckfu'sV70T5]

I'm getting ready to do the belts, heater core, and PCV on my 98 V70 T5. I have ready through as many of the threads and tutorials I could find but wanted to ask if anyone has additional hints, tips, or lessons learned that may be helpful?
Did anything surprise you or prove to be more difficult than it looked?
Did you find an easier way to do something?

I planned to buy the parts from eEuroparts. Does anyone else offer better kits, parts, or is there a reason I should buy anything somewhere else?
So far in the cart is:
Crankcase Vent System Kit....SKU: 102K10001
Timing Belt Kit ....SKU: 272327K (Engine Serial # is 113XXXX)
Water Pump Kit...SKU: WPV800 (Aisin)
Serpentine Belt ...SKU: 9186352 (Continental)
Heater Core SKU: 9144221N (Nordic)
Heater Core O-Ring....SKU: 3545586 (Black)

I'm replacing coolant hoses at the same time....

All advice is appreciated.

[jblackburn]

Timing belt? Remove the top half of the computer box. Makes access so much easier.

Are you changing the WP as well?

[rmmagow]

Heater core O-Rings, get genuine Volvo from a dealer.

[streckfu'sV70T5]

Timing belt? Remove the top half of the computer box. Makes access so much easier.

Are you changing the WP as well?

Good to know and I am replacing the WP at the same time. I'm not going to risk it fail after doing the belts.

Heater core O-Rings, get genuine Volvo from a dealer.

Everything I have read indicates to use the black rather than green o-rings. That is what I plan to use.

[erikv11]

Especially since you are doing the water pump: remove the serp belt tensioner too. It's only 2 bolts, creates more room for your hands.

And +1, aftermarket O-rings for the heater core can cause a lot of problems, get the Volvo ones.

[streckfu'sV70T5]

And +1, aftermarket O-rings for the heater core can cause a lot of problems, get the Volvo ones.

That would be the black ones, right?

[jblackburn]

And +1, aftermarket O-rings for the heater core can cause a lot of problems, get the Volvo ones.

That would be the black ones, right?

Correct!

[MMT51]

Heater Core Replacement:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=40547

Don't scrimp on parts. I used a Nissen heater core and OEM coupling at the firewall about 14 months ago and it's been good.

Drain the coolant from your heater hoses before you do this job. You might be able to clamp them off. If I were doing this again I'd try evacuating the heater core at the coupling using a wet vac. A lot of coolant spilled in the footwell.

Make sure you degrease the core before installation - it may come from the factory with an oil or anticorrosion coating. Give it a thorough wash with Simple Green or Dawn dish soap. Otherwise you'll long for the sweet smell of leaking coolant. I spent a whole winter driving around with windows open and heat on full to burn off the smell.

As a general rule, be wary of kits. They often combine OEM and inferior parts. If you look at the various vendor sites you can usually determine who makes the OEM parts. It takes time, but you only want to do each job once. Save your time and energy for all the other repairs you'll be doing. eEuroparts is one of many vendors. I've often had to order from several to get all the parts for each job. Check out FCPEuro, EACeuroparts, IPD, Pelican Parts, VolvoPartsWebstore.com. Avoid Uro parts for anything critical or hard to access. There are other cheap brands to avoid. In time you'll learn them all.

[jblackburn]

Trash bag is great for pulling the heater core to collect the coolant

[steamnjn23]

recently i had to change my heater core. i used plumbers silicone grease on all the o-rings. it allowed me to position the tubing, and not loose the seal while fitting it all back together.