Hi,

I have a 1997 850 T5. I've owned the car for about 3 years. Ever since I bought the car, on occasion, I can smell what seems like coolant odor from the heater vent. This only occurs when the heat is on, let's say about 72 degrees and the fan is turned off. So, when you are driving down the freeway, the air naturally flows through the vents. This is when the odor is noticeable. Doesn't seem to happen all the time. if you turn the fan on, enough fresh air comes in and you don't notice it.

Anyway, two different Volvo shops I believe looked at the heater core area and didn't notice any leaks. I don't think any extensive digging in was done though. Are there any other ways coolant odor could get into the heater vents?

Is it possible that the odors are coming from the engine compartment, seeping through the rubber seal that separates the engine compartment and the air intake vents? I took a whiff of the area, and it smelled a bit like coolant. I don't think I have any real coolant leaks. There was one but the radiator has been replaced.

Thoughts, ideas?

Thanks.

Michael