Hello all I'm new here and first time Volvo owner. I live in Central NY where it gets cold. I purchased a 1996 850 wagon 140,000 mi. I know nothing about car repairs but can learn. I have a problem with the heat and have searched many threads on the subject but want to know if I'm starting in the right place.
The problem is when the car is parked and running the car will warm up and the temp gauge will go to the midway point, when I drive the temp gauge goes all the way down and the heat turns cold?

Manual climate control, airmix off, good fan pressure I believe, anti-freeze right between min and max.
Should I first try the Thermostate and something I saw referred to as an ETC? not sure what the ETC is, or if that is the correct abbreviation. or could it be the heater core?

I would also like to know what other main things should be done first, I read the Timing belt and Serpintine belt should be done so I will start there but are there other things. Cosmetically the car is nice and the rear hatch has not had the repair kit so that is a later repair after the main things are checked.

Thanks for being patient with a noob.

 

Welcome to the 850 club.

Your heater core should be fine. If shot, you would already have lost coolant or it would not be warming even at idle.

I would have the thermostat replaced with OEM part. What I believe is that the thermostat is almost stuck open or the spring has weakened over the years/mileage and at idle the coolant can warm up as there is no moving air to cool the radiator. Once the car gets going,the freezing air in your region (I lived in Vermont for 5.5 years so I knowwhat it is like[X(]) hits the radiator, which in turn cools the lukewarm coolant, depriving the heat as a result.

So, invest a few $ in a new thermostat and see if it cures; I believe it does. There is O-ring to be installed around the thermostat, whichusually comes with the new thermostat, but when I do mine I usually apply some paste-type cooling system sealant on the mating surfaces between theupper & lower housing, but this is not an absolute necessity.

The best OEM parts source we know of:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/category-ex...136/by_year/46

Mere $11.50 for OEM thermostat. Many people opt for the 87C version, but in your region 92C may be better.

BTW, ETC, I believe stands for Electronic Temp Control. It is also referred to as the ECC-Electronic Climate Control. I like manual control better.

See my 1st & 2nd replies at the following thread for a good tune-up items list:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

Also, this is a good investment:

http://www.amazon.com/Volvo-850-1993...217&sr=1-1

P.S: If you do not feel comfortable doing the job yourself, have a shop do it for you but many shops do not use OEM parts. I would only use either independent shops that specialise in Swedish/Euro makes or the dealer. Or a shop is willing to accept parts from customers, that would be the ideal.

Happy New Year,

JPN

 

My vote is Thermostat.

 

A Second for the thermostat!!

 

Thanks JPN and everyone else! I looked it over today and for the first time am not inimidated by an engine. I will order the part tomorrow and the new screws as suggested.
Then I will start on some of the other things suggested in JPN's other threads.

Thanks again

 

Let us know if you need assistance with the procedure. Should you decide to do the job yourself, make sure that the engine is stone cold to avoid severe burns.

The Haynes manual is well worth the money. The manual does seem to contain some minor inaccuracies, but it is ok for the most part.

The engine compartment does seem intimidating with all kinds of tubes, hoses, wires & cables running. However, in many cases major components look similar from one car to another, and if you were not intimidated that is a good sign.

Do not be afraid to ask questions, even the ones you may think are silly. We do not tolerate sarcasm or rudeness in the 850 club. Everyone starts out as a newbie.

Play it safe,


JPN

 

JPN thanks again, I have the part on order and have sprayed the bolts to free them up while I wait for it.

 

OK good, will wait for updates.


JPN

 

Ok guys got the thermo from fcp came in Fri and had it installed in no time.
Took the old one out, cleaned the lip on the housing, added the gasket grease and added the needed antifreeze. Went back out and started it up and had heat in no time! I also went with 92 and think it was the right choice for here!
Thanks again!
Next project will be the rear hatch kit and arms. Ill check with fcp again since I see the are a sponsor here.

Billy

 

Well done!


JPN