'99 V70 Heater Core Replacement

Post by **abscate** » 30 Dec 2014, 15:56

Crap, what idiot recommended that approach??

Maybe solvent is needed on this sucker. I went the Behr route for about 80 usd, iirc, and happy to report no smell.

Post by **dosbricks** » 30 Dec 2014, 17:55

Well, worked for me. If one uses a strong enough dishwasher soap to water solution it will soak off burnt lasagna cheese from a pan overnight. Ask my wife

Post by **j-dawg** » 30 Dec 2014, 23:31

I used boiling water and dish soap, which didn't help much.

Perhaps the answer is more volume, because soaking and boiling pour-over don't apparently work, but a dishwasher apparently does.

Post by **cn90** » 31 Dec 2014, 08:13

In that infamous thread of ebay Estonia heater core, which was introduced around ? 2012, there is some mixed feeling about it. Some swear by it, some had issues with it.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/15 ... ter-cores/

----------------
Any long-term report on the following items?

1- Ebay Estonia heater core: $50.

2- Nissens: $92.

3- Behr aftermarket: $95.

4- Volvo PN 9144221: $150: is this EXACTLY the same as Behr?

Post by **mecheng** » 31 Dec 2014, 08:58

I think the true test is time, and nobody has put enough years/miles on the Ebay - Estonia heater core.
But, it does say lifetime warrantee, so they are confident enough in the design:

"In the UNLIKELY event that the heater core develops a leak- (we always test every single unit) - you will receive free replacement. You are only liable for the return of the defective one to us and shipping of the new unit to you."

The heat exchanger part is Made in Italy, the end tank is made in Estonia. Italy usually makes some pretty good stuff (non electronic).

I will say, I have the original Behr unit at 225,000km and no issues so the OEM replacement is pretty stout and I don't think it blows up like a cheap unit. It will just slowly leak which is what I'm waiting for before I replace it.

Post by **abscate** » 31 Dec 2014, 15:39

Has anyone given the cheap core guys feedback on the smell? Maybe they can get it out easier before shipping!

Post by **precopster** » 31 Dec 2014, 20:04

Don't ALL heater cores smell when replaced? Well I've only bought aftermarkets and they all stank. Don't the Behrs also smell?

Post by **abscate** » 31 Dec 2014, 20:24

I bought a Behr from one of the vendors here....no cleaning, no smell.

Post by **jreed** » 01 Jan 2015, 06:28

I too bought a Behr (from FCP) and installed it yesterday. Side by side with the original unit, it was identical except for the color of the plastic (black on the new Behr and white on the original unit) and label (a sticker on the new Behr and an embossed VOLVO on the original).
I peeled up that sticker and underneath I could see that the VOLVO mark had been removed with a grinder. My guess is that the same mold is used to make the parts that get sold under the Volvo brand and then Behr grinds away the VOLVO label on the ones that they sell into the aftermarket.

Post by **rspi** » 01 Jan 2015, 07:10

abscate wrote:Has anyone given the cheap core guys feedback on the smell? Maybe they can get it out easier before shipping!

Yes I have. It seems that some do and some don't.

I believe the best way to get the odor out is to RUN IT THROUGH A DISHWASHER CYCLE. Mine smelled real bad for 60 days. Bad for another 4 months. And continued to smell for another 6 months. After a year I finally don't really notice it. I didn't try to clean it on purpose just to see how it went. A few people acted as if they were going to crush the car due to the smell of the core.