1998 V70 - Possible Cracked Heater Coil
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1998 V70 - Possible Cracked Heater Coil
Some of the more knowledgeable folks around here think I may have a cracked heater coil. I think this would be fun/learning experience to try and replace myself. I'd also really like to document the whole process from start to finish. Hopefully some of you will continue to chime in.
Referencing a recent post by 'goodproduct' ( https://volvoforums.com/fb.asp?m=78640 ), I've begun snooping around the innards of my car looking for said cracked heater coil.
I've pulled the carpet back and am guessing that the white case houses the heater coil. Correct?
Thanks again!
-b
Original Post
Referencing a recent post by 'goodproduct' ( https://volvoforums.com/fb.asp?m=78640 ), I've begun snooping around the innards of my car looking for said cracked heater coil.
I've pulled the carpet back and am guessing that the white case houses the heater coil. Correct?
Thanks again!
-b
Original Post
Its getting to be about that time of year again where I need to turn the heat on in the car. When I turn the ***** on the thermostat from cold to warm, a 'caramel' smell comes through the vents. It smells sweet and dark. My initial thought is that it is anti-freeze. I did some research a while back and I think I found it is a cracked heating coil. Unfortunately I also read that it is buried under the dashboard requiring a big dismantle and probably $500 or so worth of work. Any thoughts? Anybody think this is a fix that I can do myself? I've never done much work on cars, but am pretty handy if I have the right guide and tools.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
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RE: 1998 V70 - 'caramel' smell when heat turned on
Your heater core is leaking.
It is about a 2 hour job, that doesn't require tearing the dash apart.
If you have it done, it's a good idea to have the coolant changed and the thermostat replaced at the same time.
Do a search on "heater core" and you should find tons of info on this site.
B
It is about a 2 hour job, that doesn't require tearing the dash apart.
If you have it done, it's a good idea to have the coolant changed and the thermostat replaced at the same time.
Do a search on "heater core" and you should find tons of info on this site.
B
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36,349
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From: Orlando, Florida
RE: 1998 V70 - 'caramel' smell when heat turned on
ORIGINAL: tripleb
Your heater core is leaking.
It is about a 2 hour job, that doesn't require tearing the dash apart.
If you have it done, it's a good idea to have the coolant changed and the thermostat replaced at the same time.
Do a search on "heater core" and you should find tons of info on this site.
B
Your heater core is leaking.
It is about a 2 hour job, that doesn't require tearing the dash apart.
If you have it done, it's a good idea to have the coolant changed and the thermostat replaced at the same time.
Do a search on "heater core" and you should find tons of info on this site.
B
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
RE: 1998 V70 - 'caramel' smell when heat turned on
Great Pic!
The two metal pipes lead to the heater core. There are 5 screws you need to remove to remove the unit.
One is in the center of the where the pipe attach to the core, to release the pipes.
The other 4 are on the white shroud attached to the core. One right behind the grey felt covered cable (1 on either side=2)
The other two are to the left and above the white clip shown in the pic (1 on either side)
The two metal pipes lead to the heater core. There are 5 screws you need to remove to remove the unit.
One is in the center of the where the pipe attach to the core, to release the pipes.
The other 4 are on the white shroud attached to the core. One right behind the grey felt covered cable (1 on either side=2)
The other two are to the left and above the white clip shown in the pic (1 on either side)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
RE: 1998 V70 - 'caramel' smell when heat turned on
Pull the black hose that goes into the floor straight up and move to the side.
Now it's ready top come out. A warning first, tons of coolant will come out, so I recommend draining the coolant from the system before you do this.
There is a drain on the left side of the radiator, on the bottom, you'll see a hole in the plastic cover. Use a 13mm socket and open it until coolant starts pouring out, remove the coolant cap at this time.
When it stops, tighten the drain, be carefull! It's a plastic part that can break easily!
There is a drain on the back of the engine, it is a metal nipple, looks like the one on the radiator. Open and drain it.
If you have compressed air you can remove the top heater hose from the firewall and blow through the core to remove most of the coolant. I think someone posted before about this procedure.
Now the heater core is ready to come out. You will still have coolant drain out, so get some old towels, maybe even lay a plastic garbage bag down so it doesn't get onto the carpet. Pull the unit down and roll the bottom foreward and out the side.
Install the new unit, with new o-rings, lube o-rings with vaseline to prevent pinching.
Intall new thermostat and coolant. After engine is warm, let it cool down and top up the coolant again, you may need to do this twice, to get rid of the air pockets in the engine.
Now it's ready top come out. A warning first, tons of coolant will come out, so I recommend draining the coolant from the system before you do this.
There is a drain on the left side of the radiator, on the bottom, you'll see a hole in the plastic cover. Use a 13mm socket and open it until coolant starts pouring out, remove the coolant cap at this time.
When it stops, tighten the drain, be carefull! It's a plastic part that can break easily!
There is a drain on the back of the engine, it is a metal nipple, looks like the one on the radiator. Open and drain it.
If you have compressed air you can remove the top heater hose from the firewall and blow through the core to remove most of the coolant. I think someone posted before about this procedure.
Now the heater core is ready to come out. You will still have coolant drain out, so get some old towels, maybe even lay a plastic garbage bag down so it doesn't get onto the carpet. Pull the unit down and roll the bottom foreward and out the side.
Install the new unit, with new o-rings, lube o-rings with vaseline to prevent pinching.
Intall new thermostat and coolant. After engine is warm, let it cool down and top up the coolant again, you may need to do this twice, to get rid of the air pockets in the engine.
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