Hello again lads.

Finally nailed down the source of my coolant leak. Its where one of the pipes that go to the heater core attach at the firewall.

I replaced the heater core a couple years ago, so its familiar territory.

So I guess its a seal?

Anyone know the proper strategy for dealing with a leak at the firewall?

Thanks!

- thumbs

wow, this is so apt. Mine blew out but it was caused by pressure due to exhaust gases from head gasket going to coolant meaning boom to the filter baffles on that core. I 'spose if I replaced the heater core there would be a problem soon to come.

Besides draining some antifreeze, you will still spill some more. Is this a good time to replace the 2 hoses in the engine bay?

There are a lot of writeups on the web on how to do this properly, search around. Up to 2000, the V70 and S70 are the same. The clips require a special plastic tool, just make sure you get good O rings.
--
My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Or you can bypass the firewall connector altogether and run 5/8" heater hose from the engine to the heater core.
--
"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

I decided on a work around that didn't involve a new connector in the firewall.

The old connector was a mess as the release clips had long ago cracked and fallen away. To get the engine hoses and heater core pipes off I had to physically destroy the plastic junction with a coping saw, box cutter, and side cutter.

Anyhow, it turns out the metal end pieces of the engine heater hose and the pipes are the same size. I bought 4 feet of 1/2 inch ID hose. Then I shortened the heater core pipes by hacksawing them off about 3/4 inch above the welded plate holding the pipes together. I had to shorten the pipes because the hose clamps were at the firewall and prevented the pipes from aligning with the heater core.

Each 2 foot piece of new hose was curled once in the engine compartment so it aimed DOWN through the firewall hole to mate with the shortened pipes.

Then I placed some old carpeting around the hoses so they won't contact the sharp edge of the firewall.

Took longer than I thought, but I'm back on the road for less than ten bucks.

- thumbs