I recently had the timing belt changed on my wife's 1997 T5 wagon (74K miles) at the dealer here (Northwest La.) and asked the dealer to change the thermostat and water pump since they were going to be in that area anyway. They said that Volvo does not recommend changing, that if I just flush the system at the 30K checkup, it should last forever. They also acted like that is an unusual procedure for these cars. Does that sound right? Now that it's gotten a little cooler here, I'm having the same issues Rich G. had in an earlier post. The car puts out heat, but the temp needle is barely above the min. mark. Is that the thermostat?

One more thing (sorry this is so long...): Is the tranny flush part of the 30K service? The dealer says yes, but they leave something to be desired (the folks at the dealer seem very shifty to me). I think they'll say anything after you've given them $450 to change brake fluid!!

Thanks

The thermos is the problem. Do the tranny flush yourself (or come to Denver and I'll do it for you). It is very easy and rewarding, as you can take your wife out to dinner with the savings. Acftually, you can do the thermostat also. Easy...

If the temp needle drops because your otherwise warm engine has a light load(like when going down a long hill on the highway)-change the t stat--i did and could feel the car perform better.

I've only heard of a "rare" waterpump failure here, I believe one here happened early on under the original warranty. So no, IMO I wouldn't bother to change it unless it's leaking.

You might consider changing the thermostat while flushing the system, since they seem as likely to fail in the closed position as the open position. I also plan to change the tensioner at 140,000, but not the WP. Also all IMO.

The general consensus is that the Aisin Warner AT lasts longer if the fluid is changed. This is not part of the specified maintainance, but probably a good idea. Volvo won't have to pay for the repair if it fails out of warranty. Your dealer sounds like my dealer, maybe they'e all a little shifty.

As I posted below it's COLD outside and try maxing out your heat and fiddling with the controls as described in your owner's manual before you fix something that ain't broke! My temp gauge is running on the low side and I got tons of heat by adjusting the controls today which suggests it's not the thermostat, it's the weather!

$450 to change the brake fluid???? You're KIDDING??

-bill d cat

$450 is how much they charge for the 30K service. I think all they did is change the brake fluid, fuel and air filters, cabin filter, spark plugs (not wires, cap or rotor), oil w/filter and lube.

Oh, I also got a free car wash out of the deal :)

I really should do that stuff myself and save money, but I got tired of being a mechanic after 5 years of dealing with a 1982 BMW 323i (you should see my knuckles!)

Thanks for the advice on the t-stat and water pump.

Although not printed in your owners manual, in a TNN or older TSB Volvo DOES recommend replacing t-stats every 70K miles as they typically fail soon afterwords. I see that often.
The water pumps last a very long time and shouldn't be replaced unless they're leaking, sometimes around 140K miles but not as a rule either.
The coolant in "white engines" is said to be "lifetime" because it doesn't contact any irons that corrode in your all aluminum block. It does darken in color and if it were my car, I'd prefer it green too but techically it's not bad just because its become darker.
As for ATF, it's not suppose to ever be changed either by Volvo in writing (unless used for towing or AWD) but anyone who knows better will suggest changing (flushing) it occasionally so that it's got a reddish color (not brown). I've seen 850 trannies last to 150K miles with no fluid changes (then fail) but the trans would probably last longer if its fluid was flushed on a regular basis.

originally the transmissions in the 850's were not supposed to be flushed. But volvo got tired replacing them under warranty, so now they suggest that the transmission be flushed.

They also recommend flushing the radiator too.