I just took my 93 850 out for a final drive before selling it and it overheated (first time ever...how typical). I shut it down, let it cool off, checked the coolant level (all good) and attempted to slowly make it back home. A couple of blocks from my house a hose blew spewing coolant and steam into the cabin. The car will still turn over and seems to run fine. I cannot see any hose damage in the engine compartment so I assume that it is a hose leading to the heater core. Am I correct? Any advice on how to troubleshoot and repair this would be appreciated.

 

You might have to add pressure to the system to find the hose leak.

 

I just went through something similar and blew out my head gasket

 

Heater hoses are the two small ones going from the engine to the firewall and eventually into the passenger compartment. Like Tech says I would pressure test the system. Either that or replace all the hoses and thermostat and take a chance

 

Thanks for the info everyone. The leak is definitely past the firewall (I now have gallons of coolant in my floorboard...seems to pour out as fast as I can pour it in). Hopefully, I did no other damage. I'm going to take a look and see if it's a hose or heater core. Maybe I can fix it with my limited skills (it's basically plumbing, right?). Pretty unbelievable. I had the FOR SALE sign printed up and was going to stick it in the window after I took one last drive. I guess it's best that it happened when I was driving it and not a prospective buyer. Probably a $10 thermostat gone bad leading to more time and $$$. Oh well.

I'll probably ask a few more questions once I get it torn apart.

Anybody want to buy a 93 850? [sm=imsmilin.gif] Mileage unknown (200k+). Fairly new transmission, strong engine.

 

Breaking up is hard to do.Sort of like an oldgrilfriend who says shesleaving, then unpacks.

You may be done with the car, but the car isnt done with you.

If youre having coolant pour out as fast as you pour it in and its ending up in the footwell then Id put money on the heater core being bad. REALLY BAD!

This link has a very good exploded view of the heating system, numbered and if you need, a price list.

It may also give you an idea whether or not youll need other parts.

I live in Canada and they dont ship here[] so the prices, while very good - to me anyway, seem very reasonable if you live in the USA.


http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartsResults.aspx

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Wagon????

 

Wagon???? No,Estate!

You can change the car type and year.

Just trying to give you a clear picture.

 

heater core, i'm willing to bet it was your thermo stat suck. happend to me


sucks......

 

Final Report:

All advice was correct. Bad thermostat = blown heater core (almost blew the top off of it!!). Thanks to your advice and links, I was able to replace the heater core myself w/ a Behr OEM unit and OEM thermostat...saved big $$$. After days w/ a wet vac and windows open (one morning I had to chase a bird out of my car) the car is now dried out, operational and purring like a kitten. Now I want to keep it...but I bought another 5 banger (08 VW Rabbit) last year as my primary car and don't see the need to have two vehicles.

Thanks again for all of your help/support. I've had a couple of hits on Craigslist for the 93 850. I wish I had visited this site years ago instead of spending lots of money @ the stealership.

Cheers! Volvos rule.

OFF TOPIC...

Here is my progression of automobile ownership...

80 Renault Le Car (new): owned it for 8 yrs, never had a problem, put 200k+mi on it.
81 Volvo 245 (used): had 99k on it when purchased in 88. Engine had problems in 97 w/ 240k mi.
93 850 GLT (used): purchased w/ 47k mi in 97. Still running strong today (08) w/ 200k miles.
08 VW Rabbit (new): fun, fun, fun w/ a great warranty.

 

Glad its fixed sad you are selling though!!!! LOL