Heater Core/Stalling Issues---HELP ME!!

Pariah2001 · Post by **Pariah2001** » 13 Feb 2009, 07:17

I bought a 1995 Volvo 850 about 3 weeks ago from a family friend. I test drove it on the highway and it drove like a dream. It sat for the 3 weeks while I got the money up for insurance/plates/etc. I just started driving it this week, now the bottom of the windshield fogs up and there is a slight smell of antifreeze in the air, and the temperature gauge goes into the "warm" range (yes, I KNOW this is the heater core), but it slows down while I'm driving it after about 2-3 minutes. Sometimes I shift to a another gear to make it drive at a normal speed (it's not a manual...its automatic). Like I said, its been setting up for 3 weeks with no issues. Are the 2 issues related (are they know to be related in anyone else's models) or is it just a major coincidence that these things are happening out of the blue at the same time?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Feb 2009, 07:50

Welcome to MVS Pariah2001,

I think you nailed the heater core. It isn't that huge of a job to replace it there are several writeups here and on other sites. The big thing is that you will need large trash sacks to contain the coolant that will spill out of the old core.

I am curious about the "and the temperature gauge goes into the "warm" range" statement that you made. A properly working 850 should warm up to a point where the temp needle comes up and stays nailed at the 3:00 position within a couple of miles. A bad engine coolant temperature sensor can result in the poor performance you describe.

On a '95 you have diagnostic boxes under the hood, pull the codes from port A-2 and post them back. Here is how to read the codes:

http://volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

Is your car a turbo or is it an N/A model? On a turbo the lines to the intercooler can pop off and they get very anemic.

...Lee

Pariah2001 · Post by **Pariah2001** » 13 Feb 2009, 08:31

It's a turbo model. Thanks for the reply. You are right about the temp needle staying in the 3:00 position (maybe a fraction higher than 3:oo, but pretty stable). The needle moves at that position maybe about a minute into the drive, which I dont think is that normal. I'm worried about the stalling/crawling its doing...maybe transmission filter screen or some inter-related problem...I just find it strange that it happens at the same time, after having sat for 3 weeks with no issues. I guess thats a foreign model for you.

jaluhn · Post by **jaluhn** » 13 Feb 2009, 23:51

Describe the stalling / crawling you're talking about, as I cannot quite grasp what it's doing from your first post. It's a manual trans, correct?

The temp gauge sounds a bit fast to me too, but it's hard to tell. I would recommend replacing the thermostat and coolant temp sensor though. Both are good preventative maintenance items, and fairly cheap and easy. It would be a good time to do upper and lower radiator hoses too.
~John