Multiple defective aftermarket heater cores

[454cid]

There is a lot of draw into the passenger compartment.

Very true, I was able to smell it, when I had the bad O2 sensor and it was running souper rich. I thought for sure I'd find a bad flex joint but it all looked good, and I could not feel a leak either.

I have no idea on numbers, but I wouldn't think there would be much CO on a modern EFI engine that's running well. Certainly keeping it mind so as to avoid long term effects is smart, Though.

[abscate]

There isn’t any CO after the cat. The problem is the engine compartment is pre cat.

All exhausts leak somewhat. You really want a good firewall between passenger and engine compartment

You can design a good hose pass through but look at the cost and engineering of the factory one , and put in the same effort.

[abscate]

Quick survey of heater core options

VOLVO OEM from FCP is $365 - ouch

Mahle Behr** is the OE and sells for $100, exact same as VOLVO, made in France, same molding - Abscates Choice for a long term runner

NIssens made in PRC and sells for a bit less $100 - Ive run these and they are good

There are a slew of eBay stuff around from $20-50 Some have good reviews and some bad, most mixed. If you want to gamble on the cheap the SCP one has gotten good revews here

Be aware that there is an Iron version of the Mahle Behr that is good, but cant be used anywhere near Chicago. As we all know,

Fe Mahle Behrs are dangerous around Cubs.


The management of MVS offers its sincere apologies for that last one.

[rrres]

When I replaced my heater core, it mattered which bolts/screws were installed and tightened first. It leaked a little at the bottom connection, when I tightened the vertical screws first. It worked better when I installed the torx #25 at the heater core and pipe connection first, per the IPD video....then the vertical and side screws after.

[99TurboBrick]

Oh man. I've got a leak at the o-rings right now, and I've just come across this thread. I installed a Swedish Car Parts core back in January '21, and it has leaked ever since (I just realized last month).

I've since tightened the T25 twice. I originally was careful NOT to over tighten, based on Robert's video where he says "don't over tighten, or you can pinch the o-rings".

I was thinking I just needed to snug the screw more, but now that I see this I'm not sure. I bought the core directly from the site (I even talked to Alex a bit on the phone beforehand, FYI turns out anything on ebay is not SCP, he says).

Anyway, the core is still on the car, but I did snap some photos before I put it on. It's not clear and close up like the pics you all have, but I did notice something...what looks like the same anomaly in the same place that you all have seen.

IMG_0706 - with arrow, out of round - cropped.jpg (129.25 KiB) Viewed 420 times

[abscate]

What’s the T25 screw bolting into on these? It doesn’t look good to seal the oring on that

[duckhunt]

I have just yesterday fitted the below code from partsforvolvo (main Volvo parts source in Uk)

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/pr ... 6ce9c3701d

It looks fine although the connection piece is black not clear like the picture.

I enquired before and they said there have never been any returns or claims.

I have driven around with the area exposed and there is no evidence of leaks, so I can only hope for the best?

I ensured I tightened the bottom screw first.

[99TurboBrick]

I have just yesterday fitted the below code from partsforvolvo (main Volvo parts source in Uk)

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/pr ... 6ce9c3701d

It looks fine although the connection piece is black not clear like the picture.

I enquired before and they said there have never been any returns or claims.

I have driven around with the area exposed and there is no evidence of leaks, so I can only hope for the best?

I ensured I tightened the bottom screw first.

Gosh, I wonder if the screw order really matters that much. I suppose the simplest thing I could try is to unscrew everything, then rescrew, starting with the T25 at the pipes.

[99TurboBrick]

What’s the T25 screw bolting into on these? It doesn’t look good to seal the oring on that

The T25 is bolting on to this piece. So, you don't think this core looks ok? Because of the warped looking o-ring boss/female port connector piece?

[duke1]

hi i replaced the heater core in my 1994 855 na and used a valeo part i noticed the slightly wonky o ring orifices and being forewarned i used some instant gasket type silicon carefully tightened the single central torx screw (mine has bypass the bulkhead coupling rubbish thing) and all has been well for a little over a year so far and a good amount of heat,the valeo part has a 5 yr guarantee and cost half of the volvo part which is made in china from chineseum and no longer the same as the oe part from my observations.
theres lots of indian heater cores and radiators sold for volvos here in the uk of which i would be wary.too cheap.
note being an early model mine had steel pipes on heater end not alloy which i think would be better,porous steel= slow leaks and hard to spot!good luck and warm dry volvos to all!