Preferred Tools for Volvo Maintenance Seeking Expert Advice

[1997volvo850]

I will keep you informed. This is a learning experience for me. At worst case I learn on Volvo 850 #1
(before scrapping it) so I am then able to keep Volvo 850 #2 going much longer thanks to this forum
(and parts from Volvo 850 #1).

Random thoughts:

1) Plugs / Pistons

As I mentioned somewhere the plugs are overdue (at around 70K now) and the pistons are black with
carbon. I removed the plugs (what a b&^%ch to get them out), cleaned them, regapped them, reinstalled
them with anti-seize compound. I bought and received my new Volvo plugs but I wanted to try to get rid of the
carbon before installing my new Volvo plugs.

I've put Lucas injector cleaner in the gas and was thinking to possibly Seafoam the engine prior to installing
my new plugs. I'm interested to see if either eliminates the carbon when I go back in to install the new plugs.
This will be my experiment as to whether Seafoam cleans my engine. If I can do it without destroying my engine
I will be happy. And then I'll report back.

2) PCV System

This is still a work in progress. So many people have replaced the PCV system due to smoke coming out
the dipstick only to end up with smoke coming out the dipstick. I need to get back to this pet project and come
up with a solution. This group has helped me understand this system much better.

3) White Smoke

I will have more on this after the weekend.

I feel bad for messing up this thread on tools. I was simply trying to keep all my tool musings in the
same thread. I may suggest that we extract the tid bits into a repairs database tool information page at some point.

[peacock]

if this is still being debated ill throw in and say that craftsmen life time warranty and the fact that i feel like they fit a little better then kobalt and especially husky makes a big difference. if you want pro grade then go Snap-on. however im a fan of craftsmen an example being i have broken sockets before the socket wrench despite using a 3' pipe on a breaker bar.

[Timberwolf530]

if this is still being debated ill throw in and say that craftsmen life time warranty and the fact that i feel like they fit a little better then kobalt and especially husky makes a big difference. if you want pro grade then go Snap-on. however im a fan of craftsmen an example being i have broken sockets before the socket wrench despite using a 3' pipe on a breaker bar.

I agree, I have broken and replaced dozens of Craftsman hand tools, and never even had them bat an eye when replacing them. Some of them were 30-40 years old. I don't buy anything else. I don't know if it has been addressed, but a good set of easy outs is essential in my opinion. Especially when working on older cars. Some other things that may not be necessary, but sure do make life alot easier are: retractible mirror, retractible magnet, magnatized bowl for holding nuts & bolts, parts grabber, disposable nitrile gloves, a light that straps to your head, and old furniture moving pads are great so you don't have to lay on the ground when you need to crawl under the car.

[1997volvo850]

I was a little disappointed that my brand new Harbor Freight Torque wrench failed the first time
I tried it. I was testing the wrench with torque at 15 foot pounds for my water pump and
the end that goes into the socket twisted right off. Now I need to find my receipt...

Broken Torque Wrench

Harbor Freight Torque Wrench

I went to Sears and picked up their $79 10-70 ft/lbs torque wrench. Finished my water pump and
reinstalled all timing and auxiliary tensioners and rollers. Buying a new wrench added an hour or so
to my project.

I have purchased quite a few things from Harbor Freight, sockets, lights, etc. Obviously the low prices
mean I'm not getting top end tools but for the most part I've been pleased. The wrench was $15 so the
half hour drive to return it will cost about the same.

I still have to yell at the Harbor Freight spokesman on the Matthew Volvo Forum Site - Whoa - you're gonna have
to return some of your commissions.

[whoa]

Yikes---failed at 15 foot-pounds? That's almost no force.

[1997volvo850]

Right. It wasn't clicking on the water pump bolts so I tried it on a larger bolt. Likely used a little
more pressure but not much. Rated for 80 ft/lbs and I didn't come close to that. The metal looks like
some aluminum alloy...we'll see if they give me my money back or make me take another one of these.

[whoa]

Sorry for your bad HF experience.

Not saying this applies to you, but sometimes people expect these wrenches to have clutches like torque-adjustable power drill/drivers---that they will turn freely and go click-click-click when you get to the right torque. (I won't tell you how I know that sometimes people expect this, out of deep shame .) They only click once, and you have to stop.

[1997volvo850]

Sorry for your bad HF experience.

Not saying this applies to you, but sometimes people expect these wrenches to have clutches like torque-adjustable power drill/drivers---that they will turn freely and go click-click-click when you get to the right torque. (I won't tell you how I know that sometimes people expect this, out of deep shame .) They only click once, and you have to stop.

I realize that the torque wrench clicks once and will continue applying force after that. I guess this is how you do the
torque when the instructions say X ft/lbs plus 90 degrees.

It never clicked for me. The Sears wrench performed as expected. It clicks once when you reach the specified torque. Still
a little surprised the 3/8 inch piece fell apart. Maybe I got the bad one in the bunch. I guess for $15 if you get a good
one you're all set. From talking to a mechanic at Sears who was buying a few torque wrenches he said they all need to
be replaced at some point. I guess this is why Sears doesn't do the lifetime warranty on torque wrenches (the bar wrenches
are covered).

[1997volvo850]

At some point I will digest this thread into a single info post.

Here is a plug for Harbor Freight Mr Whoa. I figure if I can slam them I can compliment them where appropriate.

The light you recommended has been a true friend such that I bought a second one. These have come in very handy
in the recent work I've done. I find two help fill in the shadows.

Work Lighting

[polskamafia mjl]

I guess this is how you do the
torque when the instructions say X ft/lbs plus 90 degrees.

For that you need an angle wrench. Same concept except the needle goes around a circle that has increments in angles.