Let me first start by stating that I flushed out the coolant in my 960 in October, replacing it with 50/50 Prestone/water. Since winter has set in, my temperature gauge never reaches 'normal operating temp' or, never makes it to the middle of the guage like it always used to. Now it never passes 1/4 of the way. I ordered a new thermostat from myvolvoparts.com (love that site). Should this be all I need?

Thanks for your help.

Had the same temp problem with our 95 960. The thermostat failed (literally broke) in the open position. It's easy to change the thermostat on these engines, didn't spill a single drop. Drain about 2 liters from the petcock at the bottom of the radiator with the cap off. Two Hex cap screws and if's off in a jiff with no leakage, you don't even need a rag. Make sure the "c" style o-ring gasket is on properly and fill with the correct type of Low silcate coolant and you back on the road in miunutes.
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1998 S90 062,700 1995 964 142,100

Thanks. I plan on changing the thermo this weekend and replacing the coolant with Volvo coolant. However, now that the average temp is out of the single digits here in the Northeast, my temp reaches the midpoint (today it was 37 degrees on my way to work). Safe to conclude that the thermostat is on the brink of failure I suppose. I'll post with my results!

Also important to mention: I have noticed a small oil leak near between the oil pan and tranny lately...related issue?

Thanks again.

I have similar leak.. but no problem with temperature - now we have in europe -12C (10F) and temp gauge always reach 1/2 scale.. first change thermostat and than forget about problem :)
This leak can effected not clean flame trap.. check it.

good luck
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Gregski; Volvo V90 '97 B6304FS2 AW3043 99 kkm

The thermostat is the likely culprit here, but you should check out the (unrelated) leak.
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John Shatzer, 97 V90 @ 90K; 92 965 @ 106e

I replaced the flame trap recently....not sure what's going on.

Thanks for the replies!