95 850T Blowing hoses

paulklee · Post by **paulklee** » 19 May 2014, 23:08

My fun to drive 850 with @ 220k on it- just got way less fun -

In the past week the lower radiator hose blew- fixed it - then today as I hit the gas getting on expressway
another "bang" - steam pouring out from the hood- couldn't even get it to limp home.
I looks like the one of the heat exchanger hoses (can't tell which one blew) is the culprit

Questions are:

•is this a fairly easy fix?
• is there anything else that makes sense to change as long as I am in there?
• with 220k on the car I am sure some/most of these hoses are original- can I check to see which ones are likely to be the 'next ' ones?
• Is blowing hoses like this a 'sign' that there is another underlying issue (thermostat?)
I used to love this car - now I am considering a separation :

I am starting to look at used V70's online- this is feeling like a volatile dune buggy instead of the rocket sled it used to feel like !
Thanks to all
Mike
95 850 T
98 V70 T

Post by **tryingbe** » 19 May 2014, 23:14

Heat exchanger hoses? You mean heatercore hose?

paulklee · Post by **paulklee** » 19 May 2014, 23:38

yes I think that is correct- 2 hoses coming off fire wall to engine block side?

Post by **cn90** » 19 May 2014, 23:44

Search for posts by erikv11, where the metal pipes near the heater core are cut, then generic 5/8-inch heater hoses run from the cut pipes ---> firewall ---> engine.

paulklee · Post by **paulklee** » 19 May 2014, 23:48

Thanks cn90- I'll check that out-!
Is this a fairly straightforward job?

paulklee · Post by **paulklee** » 19 May 2014, 23:54

I just read the thread - I think I have the picture

one last question: could pressure be being built up/hoses blowing be from some other cause besides the ancient-ness of most of these hoses?

thanks!

Post by **cn90** » 20 May 2014, 00:04

Most coolant hoses, whether radiator or heater hose, start to show ageing/risk of rupture after 15y/150K or so. Inspection can be deceiving.
A hose that looks good today may rupture tomorrow.
Rubber dies with age/heat.

Post by **abscate** » 20 May 2014, 02:52

paulklee wrote:Thanks cn90- I'll check that out-!
Is this a fairly straightforward job?

It is, but replacing the hoses with new Volvo hoses is even easier. These hoses unclip from the firewall with pliers. Do NOT be tempted by the half price Chinese hoses, only use Volvo parts here.

I'm a bit worried that you have had two blows in a week time. Are you losing any coolant at all? Pull your dipstick and look for any trace of coolant in your oil, too.

Is there any residue around the radiator cap from coolant being expelled.

Post by **erikv11** » 20 May 2014, 06:44

Not to be alarmist but to be sure: I would get a tester kit and check for exhaust gases in the coolant. A bad head gasket is one reason to blow coolant hoses like that. Since the coolant is out of the system I would also pull the thermostat and drop it in a pan of boiled (hot) water, see if it opens up.

Or maybe the hoses are just getting old as suggested, truly I would consider replacing them all if you want to keep the car for a while.