05' V70 thermostat bad?

Post by **850 LPT** » 19 Feb 2016, 08:31

Hi all,

My V70 takes extremely long to come up to temperature. But it does finally get there when I get to the highway after 20 mins. or so. My XC in comparison is up in 5 mins regardless of how I drive or even if it is just idling.

From experience with older Volvos I know that if a thermostat fails the car simply won't reach temperature. So my question is could there be something else wrong?

It looks like I can't just drop a new one in, FCP only sells a whole unit with housing and temp sensor and the thing is pricey.

Thanks, Dirk

Post by **abscate** » 19 Feb 2016, 13:40

I'll be following this one closely as VP of the 2005 stick shift club

Post by **oragex** » 19 Feb 2016, 14:42

The unit inside looks like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291568334911?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

There is only on confirmed owner to have put this in a gasoline engine saying it worked fine. You will need to split open the housing and reuse the gasket or add some rtv stuff for water pump. This shows how to split the housing for a non turbo (the turbo housing has an extra pipe connection)

To check yours start the engine from cold and let it idle for 2 min. If the radiator hose going to the t-stat housing got warm then the stat is stuck open (quite usual for an 8 years Volvo). The car will reach 12h temperature even if the stat is stuck open. It will just take longer.

Post by **850 LPT** » 19 Feb 2016, 17:56

Thanks, I don't know if I want to be messing with splitting the housing to save money.

I think I will just bite the bullet and replace it, FCP has it for $109

.

Question though: I just look at the thing since I pulled the car in for an oil change anyway.
The bolts are very obstructed by the power steering pump, does that have to come out or is there a trick?

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 19 Feb 2016, 19:14

(Ignore link I posted). You can take off the timing belt top cover (two T-25 screws and the two clips that hold it to rest of timing cover). Drain off about a gallon on antifreeze. Take off accessory belt. Remove the 3 bolts on power steering pump and set it aside. Disconnect radiator hose at thermostat housing. Unplug ECT sensor. Use a T-25 and remove the 4 bolts. Install new unit (make sure the metal gasket came off with old thermostat of course). Reverse steps.

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 19 Feb 2016, 19:43

One thing that will save you more yelling, screaming and swearing than you'll ever imagine? One of these right here:
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/11344/12 ... -p80-p1-p2

It'll save you running around looking for a Torx driver for 1/2" drive that is shallow enough to get in there. (3/8" ratchet is too short and tensioner is tough). FCP doesn't have these. If you were nearer NH, I'd loan it to you. Before I got it, it took me 2 hrs solo (with a 3/8" ratchet) and my neighbors all ended up learning all kinds of new words.

This thing is an absolute MUST HAVE.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Feb 2016, 00:39

Just add a pipe to the 3/8 drive handle and you can relieve serpentine belt tension. Tool is a bit steep in price unless you have lots of cars with multiple applications

Post by **850 LPT** » 20 Feb 2016, 08:06

Marc, Steve, thank you guys for all the tips.

I will tackle this next weekend since I have to order some stuff.

I have to agree with Steve, the tool from ipd is expensive. It's great when you need it a lot though, then you get your payback.

Since I still had the car in the garage, I tried a 3/8" drive torx socket on a regular 3/8" bar and it seems to be working fine. I was able to release tension on the belt with no problem. And there was enough space to get my hands in there.

Post by **oragex** » 20 Feb 2016, 11:27

I use one of these https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-92-645-8- ... B000NIK9XM but before I was also putting a 1ft pipe on the ratchet handle. You may want to get a picture of the serpentine belt path printed upon renstalling the belt, I can never figure out by myself how to pass it on the pulleys

Post by **abscate** » 21 Feb 2016, 06:42

Bingo