The heater core on my '96 960 needs replacement. The normal Volvo sites I use to order parts only list the Nissens with plastic end tanks. Went to rock auto and they show 3 all aluminum heater cores. None of the 3 were brands I was familiar with. After considerable thought and against my better judgment I still ordered the plastic tanked Nissens heater core. Has anybody used the Nissens and are you happy with your decision? I was really torn with which brand to use. I went with the Nissens hoping the quality of the heater core is as good as their radiators. Thanks Dave

Dear dm960,

Hope you're well. The issue with plastic side-tank heater cores or radiators, is that plastic embrittles with heat and time.

It is easy to inspect a radiator, and possibly to see a small crack. A heater core cannot be inspected. Thus, I'd favor an all-metal heater core.

Sadly, the factory-original all-copper/brass heater cores no longer are made. Those seem to last at least 20 years, presuming coolant is regularly replaced.

I don't recall seeing any posts reporting aluminum core failures of Nissens (or Volvo brand) radiators, which units were factory-original. Rather, it is the side-tanks that fail. Thus, a plastic side-tank radiator should be replaced once a decade (perhaps a tad longer if a car lives outside of tropical/desert conditions).

I'd apply the same rule of thumb to a plastic side-tank heater core, if that's all that could be had. Replace after a decade, even though the job is long and hard. But as an all-metal unit is available, I'd prefer to install that unit.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Thank you Spook for your response. I respect all help you give to the fine folks on this forum, and glad you did respond to mine. I've spent 2 days second guessing my decision to go with the Nissens. Now thinking the worse. I chose nissens only because they've been in the business a long time now. I need my 960 back on road and just don't have the time to change my decision. Against my better judgment. I've made my choice and will live with it, good or bad. Sunday I'll be going to the local "pull a part", to practice. They actually have 4 960's in inventory. I'm usually lucky if they have a single one on the lot . Anybody in the Louisville area now's the time to go if you've got a 960.

Just an update. Had to send the Nissens back due to damage on the box right where the 2 plastic heater hose connections. So I went with the Spectra all aluminum core from Rock Auto. So far so good. Even though I had to push it home up to the firewall with my foot. Never found a good write up for heater core replacement. Just one of those dig in type of repairs. This is one bear of a job and doubt I'd do it again should the replacement core fail. I refer to this as a $50 part in a $2,000 location. What a job.