Hey guys,

I am getting a sweet smell from the heating vents sometimes, so I am assuming it is the heater core. The thing is, when I first turn the heat on it smells fine but later when driving down the road with a fully warmed up engine the smell comes and goes. Is this the heater core for sure, or something else?

I found the write up on heater core replacement on volvospeed forums and it looks easy. This is a stupid question, but does coolant need to be drained when doing the heater core change (if thats the problem)?

Thanks.


~145k.

Classic symptom. You don't smell it until it heats up enough to evaporate what is on the fins.
This is probably a very small leak, but it will only get worse. Take the kick panels off so you can verify before you order a new core. You can still drive without the panels in place.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Sounds very much like your core. Check to see if the carpets are wet at the footwells. You will have to drain your system. This is very easy and is done by turning the petcock tap on the bottom of the radiator. There is another tap on the rear of the engine block. Refill with 50/50 water/anti-freeze.
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Tek