I've got a heat problem in my '90 245 that has yet to be answered on this board. The heat comes out HOT on the drivers side but cold on the passenger side of the car. That 'flap door' on the lower bottom (near firewall) works o.k. when the fan is activated and it closes. ARE THERE ANY INTERNAL 'FLAP DOORS' INSIDE THAT HEATER BOX THAT DIRECT COLD AIR IN FROM THE COWL?? How do you go about fix'n that?? I've replaced the blower motor last year and certainly looked for this particular problem because this has been going on ever since I bought the car 5 years ago. Yes, the heater control valve was replaced a couple of years ago, always a delightfull job. Any legitimate help appreciated, Cold Duck.

Is the ductwork on that side positively connected?

The only internal flap is the recirc door near the firewall and the rear floor flaps at the sides of the box.(black tubes coming out each side and dissapear under carpet. The airflow through the box should be constant, depending on temp of heater cor or A/C evap. Perhaps part of the heater core is restricted internally. Is temp even at defrost vents on both sides?

Bob and Zee, I have the whole dashboard ripped apart and have been riding around in 17 degree weather. The 'ductwork'(to defroster and floor outlet) has been disconneted completly and laying on the workbench. The cooler heat is coming out of the side panel of the heater box (the one with the clips that covers the turbine fan). The cooler heat is also coming out of the right side heat/AC diffuser below the radio and hot out the left. Go figure. The flap at the firewall seems to work OK. Do you really think a part of that heater core is cloogged? Under the hood the lower hose coming out of the firewall doesn't seem as hot as the top hose but a few degrees cooler. Thanx, fellas. Duck

I'm going to address this as if your flaps are OK and not part of the

problem. The volvo heater core is actually a split design that sends

heat to each side then the coolant flows up the middle to the outlet and

back to the engine. This way each side gets heat and the middle is cool

air to cool the resistor for the heater fan speeds. Where the hot inlet

heater hose attaches you will see the metal pipe split and go to each side

if one of the smaller pipes clog then you can have heat on one side and

not the other.

However, there is another possibility that also has to do with the heater

core. If someone replaced the heater core and did not use a genuine volvo

one, then this may be your problem. The aftermarket heater cores have the

coolant come in one side and out the other like most other cars. If you

have this type then one side will be hot and the other side cold. I know

because when I had my 79 I installed one of these and regretted it from the

day I turned on my heat. You can see the heater core pipes by looking at

the top of the heater unit. You can clearly see the inlet pipe split into

two small pipes that enter the core on both sides. If you only see on

metal pipe in and one out then you have an aftermarket core.

Hope this helps. By the way I have to do my blower motor this weekend.

Dave 82 242ti

Dave, Thank you very much for your info. on the heater core problem with my car. Your a God-send. This is a job that is a rare problem on Volvo's, not like brakes or other common occurances. Thanx again, now my family knows what to get me for Christmas! Cheers, Duck

Hello Duck,

Thank you for the nice reply. I just got into my account today to see

your message. I just spent the last two days replacing my heater fan

on my 82. I bought one of the Bill Chebb replacement heater motors.

Bill builds a very nice product. Well worth the extra effort to get it

from him in Canada. The only thing not right after doing the job is the

dash lights for the heater controls are not in position. I'll have to

take off the console cover and take care of that. Let me know if you need

any info for the job. Have a nice one.

Dave 82 242ti