I am new to Volvos and have some questions.

[hgray14]

My name is Houston, I live in the S.F. Bay Area and I just purchased a 1993 850 GLT. Although my mother has been driving Volvos ever since the early '80s, when she gave up on Audis, I am know very little about them. (I normally drive a 1972 Datsun 240z with engine and suspension mods...but I needed a bigger car for my new business. The Z car community has some great forums so I am very happy to see that Volvos have the same thing.)

I am familiar with searches on these sites and have been running them for a few hours now but I still have some questions. If these are repeats, I appologize. I learn quickly and am relatively car savy so be patient with me and I will be up to speed in no time.

1) What does the GLT specify?
2) The airbags were once deployed in my car but were never replaced. Can I install new bags myself or does it take a professional. The steering wheel bag looks like it just plugs in but I haven't looked at the dash one.
3) Which years are capatable with mine regarding a) engine, b) exterior and c) interior?
4) How do I find a good Volvo salvage yard close by?
5) Does the little wing on the back of some 850s that I see signify that it is a turbo?
6) Has anyone added one of these wings to a car that didn't come with one?
7) Is it hard to change the timing belt and tensioners?
I have blown a timing chain before and it created some costly repairs. My mother blew her timing chain in one of her Volvos and apparently the valves were locked out of the way of the pistons in some manner that kept them from getting bent or punching holes through the face of the pistons. If Volvo engines weather a blown timing chain so well why do we need to replace them every 50,000 miles. My understanding of timing chains is that there is no knowing when they will break; it could be tomorrow, it could be 10 years from now. Am I missing something here...like a timing 'belt' is very different (and wears predictably) than a timing 'chain'?
9) After looking through some previous repair invoices I have found one that states 'Noise heard at engine start up, alternator pully noisey, engine lifters noisey.' This was from a Volvo shop so I am assuming this is all legit. Should I be concerned with any of this?
10) How hard is it to replace struts/shocks?
11) Has anyone installed lowering springs/struts and/or high performance anti-sway bars on their 850?
12) Has anyone installed one of those dash dress up kits that I see on ebay? I really like the brushed aluminum look but don't know if that will go well with my black leather interior. It looks great in the new Z cars so I might give it a try.
13) The moon roof solid sliding cabin side cover has been pulled out of my car. I have it but can't figure out how to get it back in. Does anyone know the trick?
14) Is there a complete repair manual for my car or am I going to have to get them all, like with my Zcar, in order to make sure everything is covered?

Any help you can give me is much appreciated. I will keep an eye on the forums to help expand my knowledge of my new car.

thanks
Houston

[yeagermeister]

i can only really help you with the timing belt question- it's not very hard. check my post about the process here.

the timing belt replacement on the 93 is at 50k because it's a narrower belt than comes on 94 and later models. the 4-cylinder engine (240/740/940), (maybe the 6-cylinder as well - not sure about that one, but models 760/960), IIRC, is a non-interference engine, which is why the timing belt/chain issue isn't as vital. the 5-cylinder is an interference engine... timing chains stretch, but rarely break. not sure why they're not used anymore.

this will help explain how to remove the sunroof and repair or replace the sunshade.

i know there are lowering spring kits on ebay, and i've seen plenty of pictures and read posts over on the volvospeed forums about them.

good luck! take care of the car, and it'll take care of you!

[kelvin6]

I'll jump in and answer a few more questions. In 1993, there was only a GLT trim. In the later years 1995+ the GLT was a more upscale model, let say the middle of the road model.

It's not advisable to do your own airbag service, because if it suddenly deploys while you're installing it...

Volvo Salavge yards? Hey I live in San Francisco, and I still have no clue where there are Volvo specific yards. I know of some wrecking yards, only because my old car ended up in one.

Body Compatibility. This is particularly hard because the 93 had undergone changes during production. You may have a 4 wheel nuts vs the 5 wheel nuts that were later standard. There are quite a few differences, but none are major.

Tail wing/spoiler. I suppose you can add one, if you can find one. There are ones where you bolt or even stick on. The spoiler was optional (I think) for the 93, and in 93 there was no turbo model.

All the stuff about the timing belt - Well, you can obtain a factory service manual (eBay?), and you be the judge. Remember, this car has an interference engine, so replace the belt when necessary to prevent any costly repairs.


Hey BTW, this 93 that you bought sounds familiar. Did you find it off craigslist.org or something. I remember I almost purchased a 93 that had its airbag deployed. It was white colored I think. This was less than a month ago.

[hgray14]

Yes, I found it on Craigslist. hmm, then again, I was following two white Volvos that had their airbags deployed so I guess this might not be the same one. What did you find out that made you not purchase it?

thanks for all the advice.

Houston

[kelvin6]

^ Read your updated questions post. I answered the question there.