98 V70R - Swedish Cart Parts Heater Core Report Topic is solved

[erikv11]

Total surface area of the fins is a (probably the) key factor but not the only one.

E.g. if the coolant passes much more slowly through one core, or if less coolant passes, or if they are made of different metals/alloys, or if the geometry of fin attachment is such that heat takes a different path to get from the coolant to the fins, then heat transfer properties may differ.

So two highly respected members have tested the core and are certain of opposite effects, gotta love the forums!

[cn90]

eriv11,

I think BEJinFbk just mentioned the VISUAL inspection of the Volvo vs Estonia heater cores.
I'd like to see what temp BEJinFbk got out of the vent after a run using the Estonia heater core.

There are 2 ways to test it, in my experience with Honda, BMW, Volvo etc.:

- The ghetto way is: heat on, fan at medium speed, center vent on: put your fingers there, if your hand can't handle more than 5 sec, it is HOT and good enough for winter.

- The proper way: thermometer in the same vent:
a. If 160F (71C), then it is good enough.
b. If 150F or less (<65C), then it is barely enough to keep you warm but you will have problem defrosting the top of windshield during freezing rain. Been there done that.

Anyway, the magic number for me is 160F.

[BEJinFbk]

My real world test will be conducted in a couple of months.
If it keeps my toes warm and the frost off the windows at -40,
I'm a happy camper! I'll be testing from a heated garage and a
regular winter day parking outside. I'll be sure to report back.

Also - It looks like the SCP o-rings are leaking. Just a little.
I'm going to give it a few more days, but I may need to go
back in and upgrade. Really looking forward to that...

[matthew1]

If there wasn't a clash of opinions, it wouldn't be a forum.

Personally, I'd like to see this escalate until someone's baking brownies on the dashboard.

Thanks everyone for being here, and for the great product write ups and opinions.

[cn90]

Re SCP O-ring.

In my other DIY heater core, a quick visual check showed that both Volvo OEM O-rings and the SCP O-rings "look" similar in thickness. I didn't measure them.

My theory is that: the Estonia HC recess (where the O-ring goes into) is a tiny bit deeper than spec, so the O-ring is not squeezed enough, causing leak.
The solution is to add a bit of washer: either from the coupler or from a copper washer as I did.
Detail below:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=69238

[abscate]

Im stopping in at IBM this afternoon and will finite element analyse both heater cores on Big Blue III - I bet some of the people here are so non-technical they don't even own HP calculators....Hrrrumphhhh

To actually add value here...

I guess a test should sort of follow and AC test protocol

Outside air temp
Coolant temp
Heater on RECIRC mode
report temperature on blower 4, full red heat on over a half hour interval to see how is asymptotes

[mecheng]

2 week report on Spectra Heater core: zero leaks which I checked with mirror and cloth and I used the o-rings that were supplied with the heater core. The temp here dropped from a nice 25C to 10C, so I was able to test its heat output and while it seems less than the Behr unit, it is plenty warm to heat the cabin. I lubricated the screws with lithium grease to add extra clamping load, doubt it prevented a leak but it helps.

I purchased it for $75Cdn as opposed to $145 for the Behr (which I can get special pricing on). Prices will be cheaper in USA.

Thanks for those that suffered with the Ebay unit and reported their results, I learned from you and my good karma is posting an alternate positive review. I used the time I would have spent sourcing and filing washers lubricating the fan motor which is assesible at the time of replacement.

[polskamafia mjl]

Just fired up my car after installing a few things including the Ebay Heater Core. No leaks with the OEM o-rings but despite putting it through the dish washer it still smells terrible. I can't wait for that to go away. Otherwise everything looks great!

[Baptiste1106]

Installed ebay heater core in my 94 850T & 00 V70R and they register at 160-180 at 65mph. I'm sizzling with these things. Great quality

[Adler]

I replaced my original heater core last august with the oem behr core from ipd with all new hoses, junction and o-rings. Now it has an internal leak since last month. Should I give up on behr?