Possible 940 Heater Core Issue. Help Please!

[TC940]

Yesterday I thought I got lucky when I bought a 1997 940 Turbo with around 70,000 miles.

However, after driving home this evening and beginning to give the interior a clean I noticed a lot of liquid in the drivers side footwell. It it worse in the rear, but I imagine this is because the car was parked on a hill all day?

From what I have read, this seems to be a faulty heater core? The liquid is pretty viscous, so I imagine it is coolant rather than water.

I believe the car doesn't have AC, does that make a difference when fixing the fault and could someone give me an idea of what it will cost to fix? Could it be another issue also?

I don't really have any tools and there are no Volvo specialists where I live unfortunately.

Any suggestions on how best to proceed? I'm tempted to call the previous owner and ask for my money back!

Thanks,
Tom

[360beast]

Hiya Tom

As yours is a non A/C it is more likely to be the heater valve not the heater matrix that has failed. A common problem but people have figured out that a mk1 golf heater valve is a close match and can be modified to fit, if you have a search online you will find the information about it.

[Rversteeg]

If the rear is wet as well, it must be quite a leak or have been leaking for some time.
If you do not know the history of the car it could just as well have been someone having spilled a can of Pepsi...
First signs of my heater matrix failing were the windscreen fogging up together with a faint hot coolant smell and a moist carpet near the footwell heater outlet nozzle. Sticking my finger into the nozzle I could feel it being wet and sticky on the inside. As a temporarily fix I disconnected the heater under the bonnet by simply connecting the heater hoses with a bent piece of I bellieve 15 mm copper pipe. Not sure if this is also as easy on a RHD (I have a LHD with the heater valve in the engine bay).

My suggestion would be to first feel inside the footwell heater outlet nozzle. If it is wet inside, you can be pretty sure the matrix is leaking. If not, I would clean up the "Pepsi" inside and keep a close eye on the coolant level for a while.

Rob

[TC940]

Thank you,

I was parked on a hill, which I assume is why it all leaked into the rear footwell.

I'm pretty certain it is a leak. When I took the driver floor mat out to clean and put it back, I noticed a dribble of fluid come from around the accelerator pedal area.

Would it be worth taking it to a garage for diagnosis or is there a way I can be certain that it is a heater valve by looking in the engine bay?

The car recently had the head gasket replaced, so could a hose be on incorrectly?

[360beast]

The heater control valve is inside the car up and to the left of the clutch pedal, drop the trim off from above the pedals and shine a light up in that area, you should see the valve and chances are it will covered in dried antifreeze.

[deeman940]

Originally Posted by 360beast

The heater control valve is inside the car up and to the left of the clutch pedal, drop the trim off from above the pedals and shine a light up in that area, you should see the valve and chances are it will covered in dried antifreeze.

mines under the bonnet Luke!!

[deeman940]

it does sound like the heater matrix matte mine was soaked in the ns front and rear wells. Unfortunately you can only buy LHD versions so you will need to get it recored. Usually radiator specialists do it....

[tofufi]

Originally Posted by deeman940

mines under the bonnet Luke!!

That's only the case on cars fitted with air conditioning

[lynns hubby]

You haven't mentioned yet but is the coolant level low, have you checked it?
As someone mentioned earlier, it could have had something spilled before you bought it. That said, it could still be the heater matrix or valve.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by lynns hubby

You haven't mentioned yet but is the coolant level low, have you checked it?
As someone mentioned earlier, it could have had something spilled before you bought it. That said, it could still be the heater matrix or valve.

Good question! I'd just assumed the OP had checked the coolant level