S80 Heater core replacement

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 09 Jan 2014, 10:00

You are so awesome!!! Xheart for allllll the tips. The lighting was a pain and I had not one, but two head lamps from backpacking in my center console One foot away from my head.. I struggled with two different flashlights. Headlamp is the way to go. My blonde hair full of dirt and antifreeze, now in a hat.

I did use silicone I just need more strength to get it there. Which I dont have so a turnbuckle may the way. I am sooo close to being finished. Thank you again!!!

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 09 Jan 2014, 11:03

Let's see I did finally manage to break the temp control arm that I painfully tried NOT to do. Top pipe seated almost magically after struggle for what seems like hours. Now the bottom one is left to seat which again is impossible or so it seams. Silicone exploded all over me WD 40 company needs to work on their nozzle they all seam to go bad. Silicone does help though, I believe. This by far has been one of the biggest challenges for me. At almost fifty and female, I would liken it to, well I am not sure, but it just a very, very trying project. And misleading, if you are a mechanic of some kind then maybe you would struggle, it's been a two day project!!! and I am still not done! One pipe left to seat, one clip to install then I will need to check for leaks. After all this I hope it works

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 09 Jan 2014, 20:37

The core is in and running.
1. The clips are a MF getting in and out. Can't be said enough. Seating the tubes back in to get the clips took me hours of pushing and finally after only had to get a neighbor to use his muscles to get it.
2. Breaking the temperature control are will probably happen, I even read a tip to turn the car on and turn the heat on all the way to get it out of the way, which I did do and still managed to snap it off and haven't the first clue to get it back in.
3. You do have to remove the brake sensor to get the heater core out, NOT the steering column unless you are a seasoned veteran of auto mechanics which I AM NOT.

I have a new found respect for all mechanics everywhere I am bruised, hands cut and body is very sore. I can't imagine doing it for a living. Thank you all again for your help, tips and suggestions.... Now I have change out the radiator, it's leaking

(((( Did I tell you I am a woman, a girly girl at that. Who has always believed it you're gonna drive it, know how to fix it or be able to afford someone else to. Tata

Post by **xHeart** » 10 Jan 2014, 07:49

Good job!

I am with you, it is among the most complicated removal and install for any first timer. I had difficulty grabbing the brake pedal sensor, it took hours. Turning on/off to move lever away itself was confusing.

I have replaced it on both our cars. Talking about difficulty, I wear tri-focal which doesn't help working in up-side-down situation. Lol!

armandoare · Post by **armandoare** » 12 Jan 2014, 17:15

I know your pain shea44, I just did the same last weekend. The trick to compressing the o-rings was using needle nose pliers to hold them down. My replacement part had a nice little gap that was just the right size to fit the pliers in and squeeze it down. Pushing in the pins was still no piece of cake, and took a lot of force. One went in fine, the other I was happy to have 3/4 in.
Now I am trying to figure out how to reconnect the heater control linkage that I think I may have un seated or disconnected.
Still looking for a diagram.

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 12 Jan 2014, 17:26

I had to get my neighbor who had some muscle to get it the last pipe in. I too broke off the heater control arm thingy at the very end and no clue how to get it in. The radiator being replaced was next. !!! Please post diagram if you find it. Thank yo

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 16 Jan 2014, 05:54

So after all the oring/pipe seating drama. Radiator was also leaking, now changed, hands even more cut up! One of the pipes in the engine area leading to the heater core is leaking. The driver side one. All these repairs seem to lead to another? I love this site and appreciate all of the input, but I may have to through in the towel and trade my girl in. : ( I am not sure men are turned on by a woman with greasy under her finger nails and cut up hands LOL

Post by **xHeart** » 16 Jan 2014, 13:09

Our Robert's good work...
http://youtu.be/xsDYdsbPfSg

shea44 · Post by **shea44** » 16 Jan 2014, 13:49

I love his videos wish it was on youtube earlier:) Now how about changing the hose in the fire wall to the heater core, now that is leaking.

midimykeys · Post by **midimykeys** » 24 Jan 2014, 09:00

a Volvo shop said today that the evap and a/c would have to be charged after this repair. I have found nothing in this thread about this. Surely this isn't true?

S80 Heater core replacement

Re: S80 Heater core replacement