Heater core replacement - Brands? - 06 XC70

[scot850]

My wife and son are saying there is a greasy layer on the bottom of the windshield. Typically this points to the heater core or the seals leaking. The only options I have found on a quick search of FCP/IPD/Volvo are Nissens, Behr (on back order), MTC and Volvo.

Volvo is stupid price (about $800 CDN/ $620 US). The others are worst case the Behr at $110 US but out of stock and no ETA.

Are there any brans including those listed above and or other sources that can be recommended?

Normally on this car I only use OE or OEM, but in this case the OE part is just ridiculously priced like most Volvo parts are these days.

Neil.

[cn90]

Behr (made in France) is what I use, about US $90.

Do a Google search Behr 9171503 and see what you get.
Check eBay too.

[firstv70volvo]

My wife and son are saying there is a greasy layer on the bottom of the windshield. Typically this points to the heater core or the seals leaking. The only options I have found on a quick search of FCP/IPD/Volvo are Nissens, Behr (on back order), MTC and Volvo.

Volvo is stupid price (about $800 CDN/ $620 US). The others are worst case the Behr at $110 US but out of stock and no ETA.

Are there any brans including those listed above and or other sources that can be recommended?

Normally on this car I only use OE or OEM, but in this case the OE part is just ridiculously priced like most Volvo parts are these days.

Neil.

If the seals are leaking the left/driver's side floor carpet will likely be wet or damp too. You should smell antifreeze if it's the heater core, it's also possible it could be an A/C evaporator leak but less likely. Anybody clean the dash lately with some greasy interior protectant?

[scot850]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have access to the car this afternoon, so I will take a look. On the dash cleaning, I'm not aware of anything being used. My wife did clean the windshield recently with Windex, but the fact it got greasy after that is why I think it is a leaking heater core. As far as I am aware the A/S is working normally, but I'll check that too.

Neil.

[scot850]

The Behr/Hella heater core seem to be out of stock everywhere. Next best is Nissans I guess.

Do the Behr or Nissans come with decent O-ring seals or any at all, or should I order the OE ones?

Thanks,

Neil.

[scot850]

Quick update. I had a look at this video to figure out how to access the heater core so I could check it for leaks:



I removed both side panels of the center console as per the video. Quickly realized that gives zero visibility from the LHS under the dash and not much more from the other side. All it did was allow me to check the backside of the floor carpet at the sides of the center console and smell for coolant. Nothing. Bone dry both sides and zero sweet smell of anti-freeze.

So I removed the LHS under dash panel. which gave more visibility but not a huge amount. So I dug the boroscope camera out. I had a good look around the pipes into the heater and both were bright and shiny and no signs of a leak. I did check the air outlets either side of the console that blow into the footwell. It had a little greasy feel but again no smell. I used a clean cloth and cleaned both sides out and again no smell of coolant.

I then checked the lower part of the windshield and I could not feel any greasy residue alone the lower part of the windshield. I also checked the coolant level and it is at the max line. AC seems to working fine too. So I have no idea what the issue is. We will just have to wait until it reappears. Strange issue??

Neil.

[cn90]

- How many miles/km in your car?

- I posted tricks in forum, basically:
1. Turn the heater to HOT, waiting for the linkage arms to move, then remove it.
2. Make sure you have Volvo O-rings, apply a tiny bit of grease to ease installation.
3. Black plastic bag to collect coolant.

PS: I have a heater core (Genuine Volvo) from a 2007 S60 with only 90K miles on it lying around
in my garage.
It works perfectly.
You can have it but shipping from Nebraska to Calgary is not cheap.

[scot850]

Much appreciated and a very kind offer. 'Our' XC70 has only just come up on 125,000 miles (200kkm). But then it is also a car that is 18-19 years old. It is currently still running the original radiator, heater matrix and A/C system.

We will monitor it for now and see if the issue reoccurs. Once the weather regularly drops below 0C it will likely become more obvious if there is an issue.

Did you write a thread on the install you mention? I am 100% with using OE o-rings. A Nissens heater core is around $60 CDN from Rock Auto so that is a decent option and less than 10% of a Volvo one...........

Neil.

[vtl]

Behr/Mahle is who made them for Volvo. Everything else is worse both in terms of longevity and heat transfer efficiency.

Heater core usually first starts to leak tiny amounts that evaporate quickly. Grease on windshield and in lower air ducts is the first sign. Did you check the lower air ducts? Just swipe with your finger and see if anything smears.

[cn90]

@scot850,

The DIY is here, written for 2005 XC90 but essentially the same for S60...

DIY: 2005 XC90 Heater Core Replacement

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