98 S70 GLT: I'm trying to locate a smelly source in my engine compartment. I smell maple syrup every time I run my air conditioning and especially when I run my heater. I think a mouse or some other rodent got into my engine with some dog kibble I had left out which had some maple smelling liquid on it for my dogs fur. Anyway, I had my cabin airfilter changed and that didn't help. Any ideas would be of great help. I'm tired of smelling like waffles.

 

Is it possibel that is is antifreeze?If the heater core leaks you will smell the coolant.

 

why not smell like waffles? chicks would just wanna eat you up haha GET IT?? anyway...tech should be right, i read about that somewhere sometime, and it sounded familiar

 

You're right! I've been having a steady leak of coolant that I annoyingly have to fill up every couple of weeks. I'll find the leak and get it fixed. Thanks guys. My wife thanks you too, now that I won't have to smell like waffles every day.

 

Keep us posted on what was leaking.I will bet it is the heater core.

 

I have the same sweet smell coming out of the vents. How and where do you start so you gain access to the heater core?

Thanks,

 

If you have a 850/S70/V70 the dash needs to come out to replace the heater core.

 

What difficulty rating would you give removing the dash on the S70? I get an intermittant, indistinguishable smell from my vents periodically.

 

I would probably give it an 8 or 9 out of a 10.
It is kind of a pain in the butt.
Alot to take apart.
Once you do about a dozen of them you can do it in about 3Hrs.

 

Tech, is that 3 hours to take the dash apart or does it include putting it back as well?

 

Thats me Taking it out,replacing the evaperator and putting it back in.

 

You're right Tech, this no easy task. I was able to take out the top dash and the side kick passenger panel of my '98 S70 and gave up. I couldn't even see the heater core through anything to at least see if any tell tale sign of a leak. How much more difficult is it from where I have gotten?

 

You need to remove the entire dash assembly.
If you really need the instructions let me know and I will type them when I can.

 

Yes, please post the instructions at your convenience of course. You can start, if you wish, the steps after the upper dash has been removed. I tried reading the Chilton book but I'm not clear on some of the procedure. Perhaps together of what you post it would be doable. thanks!

 

Before we go that far I was just talking to someone and they said on some years but not sure which years.
First thing to do is to drop the left side lower pash panel.Look to the side of the gas pedal.There you will see 2 metal pipes they lead from the firewall to the heater core.Some years you can get the heater core out without removing the dash.

Check it out and tell me what you think.If you don't think you can get it out then I will post the instructions.

 

The attached picture shows the heater core housing from the driver side. I'm not sure how to take the housing apart. Any ideas?

[IMG]local://upfiles/1589/2486098131AB4AF5BA9FAB1C669A77CA.jpg[/IMG]

 

That doesn't look like what people have told me about.
I don't think you will have enough room if you remove the lower cover all the way.
You can give it a try if you like.
Let me know and I will post the other instructions if you like.

 

I have the same problem too bought the car in september 2005 and didn't use the heat but now its cold up here in canada and i can clearly smell the coolant i replaced the thermostat recently cause it was acting up on me would go up to middle then drop then eventally up agian. I plan on replacing the heater core at my dads shop soon but would like to know if theres any insturctions on the net maybe with a few pics. 2morro i will see if ican find the heater core and take a picture of it and it and then maybe u guys can tell me if i need to remove the whole dash or not like Tech said.

I dont really want to go to the dealer with this as a heater core isn't expensive but the labour would probably kill me btw its a 1998 volvo s70 n/a
any advice or instructions on replacing the core greatly apreciated

 

Ok i did some searching and found this writeup on volvospeed its mostly just pictures and small descriptions. Altho in this volvo only the kick panels were removed and not the entire dash so im hoping this will be the case with mine.

Heres the link

If anyone could find a writeup with a better discription that would be great.

 

That is good pictures. It is pretty straight foward. I can't give all that more it has been 4 years since I did one in a car.

I did one a week ago but I had the case out doing the evaperator.