95 850 turbo

LittleC · Post by **LittleC** » 21 Jun 2011, 07:22

I have a '95 Volvo 850 Turbo, It only has 137,000 miles on it. I bought it about 5 years ago with 78,000 I had the timing chain and gears done at around 90,000. Not that anything was wrong but the Dealer/Garage scared me into it. The engine mounts are shot and need to be replaced to the tune of another $1,000.00. The AC is not working but I am hoping to fix that my self. It has a few cosmectic issues drip trim, it flaking, needs a paint job, and new rims.I am just not sure how much more money I should put into it. Any advice??? Any good independent Garages in the Dallas/Frisco/Plano area???

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Jun 2011, 07:34

It's up to you how much you want to spend on the car. If it runs well and is mostly problem-free aside from those few things, it's reliable, paid-off transportation, even if it does look bad

Which engine mounts? Normally the 2 hydraulic ones do not go bad; the upper and lower engine mounts are very easy to change yourself with some basic tools. If you want more information, I'd be happy to post links

If the AC still has a little bit of a residual charge in it, you can probably fix it with a few cans of freon. If there is no charge at all in the system anymore (you won't find out until you buy a gauge and hook it up), you will need to replace the receiver/dryer, have a vacuum pulled on the system, and have it refilled by the shop. That should (used to - back in 2004) run under about $200.

LittleC · Post by **LittleC** » 21 Jun 2011, 08:03

I would be interested in the links to change the engine mounts. I am not a mechanic but I am somewhat mechanically inclined. You are right it is paid transportation. If I do some of the work myself a couple of G’s it will be good for another few years.

cybear52 · Post by **cybear52** » 21 Jun 2011, 08:04

I have the same Volvo 1995 850 in T5R model with 145k, and had the same issue with motor mounts, the car would vibrate a lot. Went to FCP Groton (fcpgroton.com) for motor mounts, deeply discounted from dealer, and found a mechanic to install all three mounts for about $150 labor (hour and a half). Actually could have just replaced the lower right-side mount ($20 part), that was clearly bottomed out, but the other 2 mounts (hydraulic) were easily done by this shop, and its done for another 10 years. Splurged for the front OEM hydraulic (Hutchinson) mount for $80 (vs. aftermkt URO for $35), and the rear hydraulic (URO) was $35 (no OEM). Bottom line about $300 instead of $1000 dealer price. Thanks, cybear52

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Jun 2011, 08:20

Torque rod bushing:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/2009/1 ... m-bushing/

I found freezing the mount overnight and cold, soapy water made pressing the new one in a lot easier.

Lower engine mount:
http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how ... mount.html

Post by **ojdorson** » 21 Jun 2011, 09:16

+1 on the DIY. This is definitely in the reach of a casual DIYer. I'm actually in the middle of this, myself.
On the lower passenger side mount, an offset 17mm wrench would have been really handy but I managed without. I'm waiting for the Torque rod bushing and trans mount.