Hey guys,

Had another problem with the Volvo and this could possibly reveal an underlying issue that could have resulted in the previous issues. So basically I was driving, the temperature was sitting around mid, being in the city and having a lot of stationary, slow moving traffic, the car was heating up. I was thinking I had to get the car parked or at some point where I could get some good airflow. I turned a corner, heard a loud burst and smoke started pouring out of the dash.

Once I got the car home I followed this video: .

The bottom of the heater core had completely cracked and blown open, the coolant all poured out onto the floor of the car.

I am wondering what the cause of this could have been. How did the pressure build up so much that it blew the bottom of the heater core open. Is it possibly the thermostat?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions folks.

 

Probably just old age

 

Oh man, you never let the heater core get that old. That is one of the main reasons these cars go. They blow kinda like that and then they over- heat and are killed.

Agree with ES6T, old plastic under a fair bit of pressure. Glad you are getting it fixed.

 

Thanks for the reply guys.

I have ordered a new thermostat and heater core and will replace myself. The mechanic I called, who seemed unfamiliar with Volvos quoted thousands but probably thought the dash job was going to be more effort than it actually was.

Also bought a new thermostat as well and will be replacing that once it arrived and I get the stripped screw on the casing off.

I stopped the car and drove it about 15 meters or so right after it happened and engine didn't crack up luckily.

 

 

 

When you pull the thermostat screws, replace them with 10mm bolts. Water pump bolts fit great as well as intake manifold bolts.