Just posted a tread on a head light issue, but I am also getting terrible heat, unless I let the car still idling, but as soon as I start driving it again the temp goes does and almost no heat.

I was thinking it might need to burped, anyone have any how to's on this?

Thanks

2000 S40, 1.9T, auto

 

It is possible that your thermostat is stuck open but it very well likely that it is the weather. I see that you are in Delaware. In the kind of cold that we are having (below 20 deg F) it takes a while for the car to reach normal temperature. This morning it was 14 deg and it took about 15 minutes at highway speed to get to temperature. At idle, there is little air flowing over the radiator and the engine coolant temperature will increase. As soon as you get some freezing cold air flowing through the radiator, the coolant temperature will drop. Is the car truly is not getting to temperature quick enough, it should store a trouble code.
Stan

 

Yes, it way to cold here but my other car heats up after a while. I drove 45 minutes yestarday and the car never warmed up, I was freezing, as soon as I got home and let it sit and idle it started warming up. I guess the term could be stuck open, but I was thinking it was air bubble or something. hummm. Thanks, the term is a easy change but I could still use a how to for the burping as I'll have to do that anyways.

 

My '02 S40 was particularly bad at heating up when it was very cold outside. I suspected the thermostat and replaced it but it made no difference.

I suppose a bubble is possible. My '02 S40 had a red bleeder on one of the hoses. Yours may also have one.

Some gurgling that can be heard inside the car when the car is idling is normal.

Is your coolant topped off?

 

Yes, it is topped off, Did you ever figure it out or just lived with it? I expect it to not work as well when it is really cold, but this is just crasy cold even after it has been running for over an hour.

I am going to try the thermostat and change the coolent see if that helps any, if not I'll put some cardboard in front of the radiator and see if that helps.

Thanks.

 

I just lived with it and then it but mine did not take an hour. I figured it was normal. You should not have to resort to cardboard over the radiator. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the thermostat if it has never been replaced in 9 years.
Stan

 

Update:

The car just popped the Check Engine light, 2 codes P0115 & P0128, from what the guy said it is the thermostat and the engine coolant temperature sensor, makes sence to me.

I am going to replace both but... They only have the thermostat and not the gasket, any ideas on where to find?

What is good brand for volvo sensors, anything online?

I want to do them both at the same time so I only have to open the system once

Really can use a service manual if anyone has one.

 

The problem may just be the thermostat. If it is bad, it may trigger a code for the sensor as well. If the computer does not see normal temperature in a specified time then it figures that the sensor could be bad or the thermostat.

I recommend getting the genuine Volvo parts if possible. You know it will be correctly spec'd for your car, it will fit and they are good quality. They usually aren't much more expensive if at all (my dealer anyway).
Stan

 

Yes, picked up a Therm, gasket and coolent from Vovlo last night, they did not have the sensor ($70 bucks anyways) till monday so I will just do the therm and see what happens. It is really cold here so I am not sure when I'll do it.

 

I got out of the coolant temp sensor code with just a thermostat.

 

I bought the therm Friday from the dealership and replaced it on Sat. Everything is working great now, heats up nice. Besides a scan tool is there any way to reset the CEL? I had the battery off for about an hour, thought that might reset it but no joy. My local auto store has a policy of not resetting the CEL with there tools and I really don't want to go to the dealership just to reset the CEL. Thanks for any help.

 

Thermostat change get one w/ a high temp like 190 deg.

 

Well, the saga is finally over, the CEL turned itself off after driving about 150 miles. Glad it was just the thermostat, and I have to say it is easiest thermostat change I have done, not that they are hard unless just a PITB.