Dive in to Volvo 850? - 1997 - READ ONLY

23 messages, Last post on Sep 25, 2002 at 8:04 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volvo 850, Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Sedan

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#14 of 23 help needed with check engine light!!!!!!! by carenthusiast1 Aug 13, 2002 (2:53 am)
thanks cbgrfx for your input. You say that you are getting a gas cap code. Wouldn't replacing the gas cap help? Does any one out there think that replacing the gas cap could help my situation since I don't hear pressure escaping when I loosen the gas cap?
#15 of 23 850 GLT 1993 engine problem by don850 Aug 23, 2002 (10:39 am)
I have a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT with 198,000 mostly highway miles.I've had the car serviced regularly, and was just informed that the engine compression is too low. I was advised that engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced with another rebuilt engine ($5-6K?). Other than a few difficult starts, the car seems to drive well, it passed the NJ emissions test in May. How much longer can I expect to drive the car? The car is due for a timing belt change at 200,000 miles.
#16 of 23 Looking for mid-90s used volvos wagon. by lingon Sep 20, 2002 (1:24 pm)
So here's the dilemma. I have $10k to spend on a mid-90s wagon, and I want the 850. I've been focusing my efforts on the 850GLT, and found one. It's a one-owner '95 GLT model with 88k miles, is immaculate, and the service records bear out that it's been babied for 7 years, at the dealer. It has about 80% left on the tires, new timing belt and brakes, and everything seems to be in order. They won't budge below $9800. I also just found a '94 Turbo with 88k, from a second owner who has no records. This one, also with new tires and very clean, has some perks the other doesn't--top-of-line trim package, CD changer in the trunk, hands-free phone set, and drives like a bat out of hell. It has some minor damage to the front spoiler and some door dings. The owner says it was the 'sport package' for '94, but I can't find any documentation that says there even was a sport package. (?) He's asking $9500, and I suspect will go to $9k or just below. My dilemma is that I've heard so many times to NOT BUY A TURBO. Everyone keeps warning me about the woeful horror of the turbo, but I have to say, it is extremely fun to drive. I'd certainly like any knowledge people have on turbo vs. non-turbo, and '94 vs. '95. Also, I've heard that the '94s had flakey electrical systems. I ran a Recall check on Edmunds, and there's a list a mile long for the '94, but virtually nothing for the '95. Any input anyone? Help!
#17 of 23 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 20, 2002 (1:50 pm)
And I'll bet you 99% of the people who warn you against turbos never owned one. DON---I don't see how your engine could have low compression and still pass emissions. I am suspicious of this diagnosis. Have a shop do a compression test with a tester that makes a graph, or watch them do it. Also, can the valves be adjusted on this engine? If so, do so. As for the 200K mark, a car is getting pretty tired at this mileage, and I certainly would not put another engine in it under any circumstances unless it has some huge sentimental value. After 200K, all kinds of weird things can (and do) happen, either structurally or with more than usual number of failures. If it's just a belt, sure, you can do that, drive it to 225K-235K or so and then bail out. This is about the reasonable end of a car's life--the outside end.
#18 of 23 Mr. Shiftright: by jrosasmc Sep 22, 2002 (12:41 pm)
Currently I am looking for a second Volvo just to go back and forth to college and home on the occasional weekend. I test-drove a 1996 850 wagon at the local Volvo dealership this weekend. It has 138k miles, and it's an automatic. Here are the known problems with it: Brake pedal almost goes all the way to the floor Pulls sharply to the right when braking from high speeds Harsh, and I mean, really harsh upshifts from 2nd to 3rd gear Smokes a little bit on startup The dealer's asking $8500 for it. This is the exact same Volvo wagon that I wrote to you about over the winter a while back. It was used by my acquaintance, and she put all highway miles on it until she traded this one in on a new '02 V70.
#19 of 23 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 22, 2002 (9:28 pm)
Well pulling to the right and a bit of smoke on start up aren't too much to worry about (unless this is a turbo model) but the auto trans shifting is a bit worrisome, especially on a model known for transmission issues. The brake pedal must be fixed by the dealer, he can't sell a car with bad brakes. Also the car needs a price adjustment because of high miles and possible repair costs. I'd think around $7K-$7.5K would be more than fair, but only after a thorough inspection. If it's a turbo and you're getting smoke, there is turbo wear no doubt.
#20 of 23 by jrosasmc Sep 23, 2002 (8:22 am)
Luckily, this 850 is not a turbo.
#21 of 23 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 23, 2002 (1:17 pm)
Okay, so probably dried out valve stem seals then.
#22 of 23 by jrosasmc Sep 23, 2002 (1:19 pm)
Then what should be done to remedy the dried-out seals?
#23 of 23 air filters by kforton Sep 25, 2002 (8:04 am)
The reason anyone's AC craps out every 40,000 miles is that Volvo sold these cars with no air filters for the AC system, so any and all road junk gets sucked into the compressor and fan assembly. This was highly irresponsible of Volvo, but it keeps the dealers in maintenance. You should have a filter installed for about $150-200, and it will save you on $400-500 AC motors. I couldn't believe it when my very skilled New Hampshire mechanic showed me. Volvo used to be a great company, but this was irresponsible. Also, I have a 95 Turbo and all it needs is maintenance--if you are not willing to pay for maintenance, then do not buy a Volvo.