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1997 850T Engine Life

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » Volvo 850 Engine Life (mileage) expectancy
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kelvin6
Posts: 284
Joined: 23 June 2005
Year and Model:
Location: San Francisco CA

Re: 1997 850T Engine Life

Post by kelvin6 »

Currently my 98 S70 T5 is at 202K miles and its still very strong. The engine has ZERO oil leaks (no RMS leak) and still is on the original transmission as well. The 16T turbo is original as well... even at this mileage the car still pulls hard and can outrun many cars out here.

These Volvos were built to last, provided they are well taken care of.
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Auto

1995 Volvo 850 GLT <- RIP

buddythedog
Posts: 6
Joined: 23 February 2009
Year and Model: 88 240 dl
Location: hattiesburg, ms

Post by buddythedog »

i have a 240 with 231,000 on the odo, and the engine burns no appreciable oil, doesn't smoke, and runs like a champ...but takes a lot of tinkering. well maybe i just like that

Craigd2599
Posts: 419
Joined: 10 January 2009
Year and Model: 2007 S40.
Location: Lynchburg VA
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Post by Craigd2599 »

I've had two N /A 850's...140K is low mileage to me. I have a freidn back home who is a Vovlo tech at a large dealership and he says the people who actually put the "100,000 Mile" badges on their grills are looked at as "newbies". You aren't a real Volvo owner until you hit 200K in his book.
Craig D
Philly Boy in Lynchburg VA
2007 S40 Previously: 2 850's and an S80
Waiting for that "R" model barn find

MichelleOverman
Posts: 3
Joined: 5 February 2009
Year and Model: 850T Wagon, 1997
Location: Texas

Post by MichelleOverman »

New question. :D

Many of you mentioned replacing the Tbelt in time to avoid engine destruction. Mine was replaced at about 87K. Any suggestions on when should I plan to replace it again to avoid trouble?

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

The timing belt change interval is every 7 years or 70,000 miles. Although you were overdue on you last belt change I would suggest changing it around the 140k mark where you said you are now. The 140k change should also include the rollers and the tensioner. I change my water pump at that interval as well.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

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misha
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Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
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Post by misha »

Timing belt changing interval is about 70k miles.You have done it at 87k.Your next *recommended* changing interval is 157k miles.
I replace my timing belt every 60-70k km,about at half recommended interval,just to be sure.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

polskamafia mjl
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Post by polskamafia mjl »

Keep in mind it is time or mileage. So the longest you should have your t-belt is 7 years...and like Lee said, if you reach 140k miles before you reach 7 years then do the t-belt and rollers, tensioner, and water pump then.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

marginal
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Post by marginal »

meteg wrote:if your car is a turbo then before switching off the ignition after a drive allow the car to idle for 1 mins then stop the engine.
Does that apply even if I have not driven the car on more than, for instance 1 500 RPM for the last 2 minutes ???

polskamafia mjl
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Post by polskamafia mjl »

Despite the fact that 1500 is low, I would suggest letting the car idle before turning it off as this allows the turbo to cool off w/o the risk of having oil cake up around the turbines.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

marginal
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Post by marginal »

Thanks polskamafia mjl.

I was just thinking, the turbo is not active @ that kind of RPM ...

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