Heater Core replace or wait 04 XC70 205+

Post by **P2metoo** » 17 Feb 2025, 10:41

I'm at 205K miles on my 04 XC70 and suspect an original heater core. No greasy windshield. Coolant has been fine for 6 years I've owned it until this December. I had to add a splash of coolant to keep at the min level with a cold engine in 19F weather. Should I wait for signs or I'm in danger of dyeing my shoes green already?Any quality alternatives to a new Volvo Heater Core @ $600+? Looks like Nissens and MTC are prone to failure and OES Behr has left the market hanging. I put about 5K miles a year on her. I appreciate your experienced advice.

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Feb 2025, 12:37

U. have three P2 cars at about 200k. For heater cores I'm waiting for mine to show signs of failure.

06 S60R - This winter the heater was not as strong and on the coldest days it wasn't really sufficient. Presumably the core internals were somewhat/somehow clogged up from 190k miles and 20 years of usage. Last week I replaced it with a Nissens unit (from FCP in case it becomes problematic) and the heat is much warmer now, glad I did it. The metal retaining clips on the heater core pipes were NOT cooperative but I got the job done. If I lived in a warmer climate like in Alabama, I would have likely not noticed the performance difference, and let it ride and been fine with that.

07 XC70 Green - factory core still working well at 203k miles, letting it ride.
07 XC70 Black - factory core still working at 205k miles, letting it ride.

I don't know who makes the heater core currently sold by Volvo but would speculate it's not worth the $600. Would love to get Behr if I could but that ship has sailed.

Post by **P2metoo** » 17 Feb 2025, 15:51

I popped off my panels to inspect and the Volvo core is bone dry with no evidence of any tampering. Inspection was so easy I'll do that annually while I wait for signs of failure.
RobertDIY on Youtube used swedish car parts heater core on several videos. I'll probably try them when it's time if nothing else changes in the heater core market.

https://www.swedishcarparts.com/parts/1 ... e-warranty

Post by **chrism** » 17 Feb 2025, 20:17

Try here:

https://www.carparts.com/details/Volvo/ ... lsrc=3p.ds

Post by **P2metoo** » 17 Feb 2025, 22:00

Wow! Thank you chrism! I always feel better with OES for this type of part. Now I will have this spare ready for when it starts to fail!

Post by **abscate** » 18 Feb 2025, 02:40

As a new owner of an XC90 it’s great to see this DIY is a 1/5 hammer job….

Post by **vtl** » 18 Feb 2025, 09:30

Wipe insides of lower air vents on both sides with your finger. They get greasy the first thing when heater core starts showing age.

ortho stice · Post by **ortho stice** » 19 Feb 2025, 16:59

P2metoo wrote: ↑17 Feb 2025, 22:00 Wow! Thank you chrism! I always feel better with OES for this type of part. Now I will have this spare ready for when it starts to fail!

I think you got the last one; I tried buying one myself and got refunded because it was out of stock.

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Feb 2025, 12:46

ortho stice wrote: ↑19 Feb 2025, 16:59
P2metoo wrote: ↑17 Feb 2025, 22:00 Wow! Thank you chrism! I always feel better with OES for this type of part. Now I will have this spare ready for when it starts to fail!
I think you got the last one; I tried buying one myself and got refunded because it was out of stock.

I had the same experience, tried to order on Feb 18 when it said "1 remaining" in stock. Later that day they canceled my order due to out of stock.

The link still says "1 remaining" today; I infer that carparts.com is keeping it up as clickbait.

Post by **P2metoo** » 22 Feb 2025, 14:00

It was supposed to deliver yesterday and by golly it never showed up. I got a refund as well. Hopefully someone got it. Lol.