current opinions: best value Volvo 850 heater core

Post by **JimBee** » 20 May 2023, 07:16

Need to replace my 850 heater core. I'd appreciate opinions of the best value, cost and durability. I'll probably steer away from Valeo.

Has anybody tried the MTC brand sold on IPD?

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/11061/H ... P0QAvD_BwE

Post by **foggydogg** » 20 May 2023, 10:00

Robert has used Behr and Nissen, and FCP lists Mahle. I put a Behr in the 850T5 a while back, but that car has been disabled for some time, so longevity can't be verified.
I'm a bit shy about the MTC stuff, it's liable to be from the same quality factory that URO sources their bits (of course, I have no proof for that.)

Post by **scot850** » 20 May 2023, 10:42

To be fair to MTC, I have used different parts of theirs and had no issues. There was a thread recently on the subject with problems on the O-ring holders on some of the aftermarket units. Sorry can't recall the brands. That may have been the cheap Ebay version that has been used for years with no issues. The one that was recommended to run through a dishwasher first before install to get rid of the terrible smell they made for the first while.

This was the thread:

viewtopic.php?t=100473&hilit=Heater+core

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 20 May 2023, 15:45

JimBee wrote: ↑20 May 2023, 07:16 Need to replace my 850 heater core. I'd appreciate opinions of the best value, cost and durability. I'll probably steer away from Valeo.

Has anybody tried the MTC brand sold on IPD?

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/11061/H ... P0QAvD_BwE

I ordered NIssens for the same price of that MTC...but it is ordered directly from the importer...with factory prices.

Post by **jreed** » 20 May 2023, 16:16

I put a Behr in in 2014 and it's been going along fine with no issues noted since then -- plenty of heat and no loss of coolant noticed. I see that FCP lists Mahle and Behr as the same company now:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 70-s70-v70

: Screen Shot 2023-05-20 at 18.14.53.png (488.71 KiB) Viewed 1120 times

Post by **abscate** » 21 May 2023, 18:49

Behr made the original Volvo part, but that doesn’t mean todays Behr is the same. It’s a grizzly job on a polar cold day.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 21 May 2023, 19:38

I'm surprised at the plastic tanks on a heater core. I used to seeing heater cores with aluminum tanks brazed in place. I hope I never have to deal with this job. I think the special plastic pieces and o-rings would drive me batty.

Post by **JimBee** » 24 May 2023, 18:59

At the lower end of the pipes where they go into the plastic manifold, there are three concerns: proper o-ring, of course; fitment of o-ring to the receiving plastic seat—and the retention screw that pulls the o-rings tight into their seats. Tight but not too tight, I suppose. I'll try to get an opinion on that from a Volvo tech.
I'm assuming those seats are contoured. When I install the Nissens core that I've ordered, I'll take a close look.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 24 May 2023, 21:33

abscate wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 18:49 Behr made the original Volvo part, but that doesn’t mean todays Behr is the same. It’s a grizzly job on a polar cold day.

Just think of all the non volvo cars that require a dash removal to replace the heater core..

Post by **hausmeister** » 28 May 2023, 10:31

I put in a Behr from skandix little more than 1 year ago. I remember that it looked like a high quality part and came with the install foam. I was pleasantly surprised compared to the cheap messy junk I took out.