Coolant leak

[Porkchop32]

Morning All
I have a 2003 xc70 has developed a coolant leak. I wanted to isolate the heater core. Can I put hose clamp pliers on both hoses and still use the car ?
Thanks P

[jonesg]

coolant has to circulate through the dash whether the heat is on or off.
Your weather is mild, I'd be tearing into it.
We just got another 4 inches, -2F last night.

[abscate]

I don’t think you can clamp those off tight enough to have zero pressure in the core, it will still leak

Better to pull the ends and bridge with heater hose. It’s 5/8 hose on p89s , not sure about P2 models?

Anyone?

[vtl]

Heater core replacement is maybe couple of hours if you do it the first time.

[xHeart]

Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place, but without driver seat can be a joyful work space.

Alawys use Volvo clips and o'rings, more here viewtopic.php?t=105361

[vtl]

Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place, but without driver seat can be a joyful work space.

Alawys use Volvo clips and o'rings, more here viewtopic.php?t=105361

200 lbs me did 3 heater cores without removing the seat. First time I removed the steering column, but later figured out how to route the new core around without damaging it.

[xHeart]

Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place, but without driver seat can be a joyful work space.

Alawys use Volvo clips and o'rings, more here viewtopic.php?t=105361

200 lbs me did 3 heater cores without removing the seat. First time I removed the steering column, but later figured out how to route the new core around without damaging it.

Same here vtl, 3 in my experience.
The brake booster replacement experience with folded driver seat placed over the rear seat was an ahha moment.

Again, my approach is to make working a joyful and cussless experience.

This item, brake light switch must be handled gently during a heater core service...

[dikidera]

Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place, but without driver seat can be a joyful work space.

Alawys use Volvo clips and o'rings, more here viewtopic.php?t=105361

200 lbs me did 3 heater cores without removing the seat. First time I removed the steering column, but later figured out how to route the new core around without damaging it.

I mean the fins on mine did bend on the lower part near the corner, but not enough in my opinion to cause significant issues

[jrschwit]

P,
Whether your goal is to remove the heater core from the coolant system to either eliminate it as a source of a leak or to delay core replacement, it will not be a problem operating the car with the heater hoses blocked. Whether you isolate the core by pinching the hoses with suitable clamps or disconnect and bridge them does not matter. I would consider the flexibility of the hoses before I clamped them, though.

My '03 V70 na has very supple hoses next to the firewall and I would not hesitate to tightly clamp them. Though it is correct that hot coolant continuously flows through the heater core, removing it from the coolant system will, if anything, marginally improve the system's overall efficiency.

[firstv70volvo]

Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place, but without driver seat can be a joyful work space.

Alawys use Volvo clips and o'rings, more here viewtopic.php?t=105361

"Heater core replacement can be eventful with driver seat in place" Eventful! Love this term, under dash repairs with the seat in place
compares well to medieval torture levels of pain. Removing the seat is well worth the extra effort if spending any amount of time under the dash.

Here's what under dash repair pain inspired me to do for another upcoming under dash repair. I also now remove the seat every time.