Disappearing coolant

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 May 2016, 19:44

The only explanation to me is that it busted a hose within the dash area- just before the heater core or the heater core itself sprung a leak. If this is so, your floorboard (especially your driver's side) will be soaked with coolant. Check and see- lift your carpets if you have them. Mine busted a hose inside the engine well (luckily) and I had to replace the hose that goes to the firewall before it got to the heater core last year- still a mess but more easily replaced!!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 03 May 2016, 19:57

Make sure not to drive the car with a coolant situation. The aluminum heads are easy to warp if you overheat the motor.

Something in the heater core area has blown. Pull back the carpet and remove the plastic panel under the dash to reveal the heater core and its associated plumbing.

Also check the hoses running into and out of the firewall coupler.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 May 2016, 21:06

It's not a horrible fix- I believe I bought a Behr over the Volvo for a considerable savings and it worked out well.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 70-s70-v70
The main thing is to be careful forcing the aluminum piping up into the plastic block (from the inside of the firewall- this piece https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 70-s70-v70 )- you crack that and you're out of luck- you won't get it sealed up and will have to run straight hoses through the firewall until you can get that part... ask me how I know!!
That said, just go slow- there are write ups on the site to do this job fairly easily- you can do it in an hour or less.
Also, I believe I reused all my yellow tab connectors (the ones that come with the kit are too long or something)...so don't throw any of that stuff away that you take out and try to remember how it all goes back together (especially the o-rings)...taking pics of things as you do it with your cell phone is a big plus!
-MIJ

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 03 May 2016, 21:20

MIJ, since you last did the heater core a new core has come on the market that you may not have heard about from Swedish Auto Parts.

They sell the cores on ebay for $40 which is less than half of the Behr and it even comes with a lifetime warranty. So far a lot of people , me included, have been really happy with its performance and there's a thread about them here -> https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=72146

I would also suggest taking this opportunity to completely rip the plastic junction box out of the firewall, trimming the metal lines, and running standard heater hose through the firewall to the block. -> https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=44948