How hot is the air from the heater vent?

With previous cars (SAAB 900, Peugeot 405, Citroen BX) I could almost feel my knuckles burning if I directed the dash heater vent onto my hand on the steering wheel but with the 940, althought the car heats up quite well, the air coming out the vent is only 'warm' not 'hot'. Is this normal? I have not been in another 940 to compare it with. The engine seems to get to temp pretty quickly but the economy is pretty poor. Thanks Mark

On my 940 turbo it seems to be very hot.. almost too hot sometimes...

Hi I've got a 740 Turbo and the air is Hot and on my previous Volvo it was Hot so I think you maybe experiencing a problem there. It should definately be in the same league as your old Saab. Try flushing and re-filling the system as you may have an air block somewhere. I can't give you anymore advice I'm afraid :( but I'm sure someone else will :) What's the temp like from the floor and windscreen vents when isolated? The engines do warm up quickly that's normal and as for the fuel that's also normal. Volvo's are like old Saabs lovely but costly in the fuel department especially around town. I've owned 3 classic 900's (2l-8v single carb, 2li-16v and 2.0l16v full Turbo) and 2 Volvos (2.3i and 2.3iTurbo) and with both makes the best ecomony comes from the full blooded Turbo versions, must be something to do with power/weight ratio... Ali

Thanks to you both,that saves me accosting a stranger and asking to test their heater. I have started looking at previous threads, thermostats etc but am loath to spend too much time on this as am curently looking for a 2.3 turbo estate with roofbars and preferably half leather seats as a replacement for my 2.3 8V. Or a diesel. Out of any car the SAAB classic 900 turbos are the ones I like the most and considered getting instead but unfortunately I think that they have now too many rust problems.

Remember to set the heat switch at full when you flush the heater matrix pipes..

All mending has to be done outside on the drive so I think i'll wait for the winds and rain to let up a bit before following your suggestions. I've been over at the SAAB forums scaring myself with the rust issue so perhaps was a bit negative. Imagine finding this My car is full of surfboards and wetsuits and I am down the beach everyday so not sure I would like to inflict that (sand/salt water inside and out) on a nice classic 900. I have noticed that the SAABs and the Volvo petrol 940s are taking a long time to sell from Autotrader and not making much on Evil Bay. Perhaps its a pre christmas thing. I hate looking at cars in the rain though and being in Pembrokeshire is a bit of a trek to view most vehicles. Thanks for the advice. Mark

If the system has ever had Radweld or C-lit in it to stuff a leak, this may block the heater. They stop the leaks OK, but clog the fine veins of modern heater matrixes. The don't tell you this on the tin! If you're lucky, backflushing will help.