960 V90 S90 heater core replacement.

dm635 · Post by **dm635** » 01 Nov 2018, 07:41

Just in time for working in an unheated garage my heater core needs replacement. I've been searching here, but haven't found a really good write up. I do know that on the 960 it is going to be a pain. I do all my own work and in need of a good write up.

I ordered the Nissens heater core. Has anyone had good luck with this brand. Yes, I know they make radiators and hopefully their cores are of the same quality. Not thrilled going through this repair using a plastic tanked core. Been going back and forth whether I made the right decision. Rock auto had 3 different all aluminum cores and torn wondering if that's what I should have ordered. But I was not familiar with any of the 3. Hope it doesn't come back to bite me.

I did a 240 about 15 years ago and XC a few years back. As far as cores go the XC was easy. The 240, not so much. Thanks Dave

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 01 Nov 2018, 08:26

You got to disassemble a sunnifcent portion of the dash to get to it.

The attached file is the official process.

dm635 · Post by **dm635** » 04 Nov 2018, 17:56

Went to the local pull a part today. Took me 5 1/2 hours to see the heater core. They surprisingly had 4 960's where I'm lucky for them to have a single 960. So I ripped into 1 as practice. 5 1/2 hours knowing it wouldn't be going back together. I figure it will be double if not triple the time to disassemble my car where it can be put back together. There is so much more work than I had planned on. Once getting into the dash then all the duct work. If I could afford another 960 I would not even consider repairing my own car. It is very much more involved than I could have imagined. It's likely to take a week or two minimum to get it done.

The Nissens heater core arrived damaged and will be returned. I will not be going with the Nissens heater core. I will be going with an all aluminum unit. Probably the Spectra Premium heater core.

dm635 · Post by **dm635** » 13 Nov 2018, 16:55

I've reached the treasure. Heater core has been removed. Sent 1st heater core back to FCP. Was a plastic tanked Nissens core that arrived damaged. Asked for a refund. So I could order an all aluminum heater core from another company. FCP has no refunded within their stated 24-48 hours yet. Will call tomorrow to see what's up. All aluminum heater core is supposed to arrive tomorrow and have a huge job for the reinstall. Will certainly take longer than the removal.

I'll have to report on FCP's refund that was promised.

Post by **rspi** » 16 Mar 2020, 22:27

Anyone have any tips on this heater core job? How many hours would it take, start to finish?

dm635 · Post by **dm635** » 19 Mar 2020, 09:01

Can't really give any tips. It's just remove and install. There will be some difficulty for sure and a lot of disassembly. Know that going in there is much to be done.

I was able to do it within a week taking my time. It's been over a year now and glad that I did it now that all the work involved is now just a memory.

I mentioned earlier that I practiced on a junk yard car. That saved me time and what not to break.