Dying 1997 850 T5- Best way to recoup purcahse $

panamared · Post by **panamared** » 12 Dec 2011, 08:48

I recently recommended a used volvo for my Mother in Law, and she asked me to find one for her. I located a nice looking 1997 red 850 T5 sedan, it appeared to be in good shape for $2400. We had our local mechanic check it out, and he gave it a stamp of approval. About a month later it started smoking and we decided to have the volvo specialist in town check it out. Turns out its got a laundry list of problems, oil leaks, bad turbo, clogged pcv etc etc totaling almost $6000 in work. They didn't think it was worth it, and all that work is way out of my league. My question for the forum is, how can I get the most money back out of this car? Part it out? or sell it as is? Since it still runs I've also considered entering a demoliton derby, if i can find one with a big enough purse...

Thanks!

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Dec 2011, 08:55

I really doubt the turbo is bad - this VERY RARELY happens on these cars but mechanics that don't know them will always point a finger at it first.

Fix the PCV system and you'll take care of a lot of leaks and smoking issues (usually just cam seals that need to be changed, but pressure will let up with a new PCV system). If it's in good shape otherwise, it's worth at least trying that bit of work to it.

If you have any good buddies that like to work on cars, the PCV system is not a very hard shade-tree job.

Post by **E Showell** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:02

2nd that PCV isn't a bad shade tree job, but it is tedious and requires a lot of time. If you haven't done it before and you stop to do a throttle body clean and maybe replace the starter while you're in there, since it is so much easier to get to with the intake manifold out of the way, then you are looking at about 8 hrs. accounting for dropping the bolts a couple times and having to unseat the mainfold to retrieve the dropped bolts.

panamared · Post by **panamared** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:04

Thanks for the reply.
I'll have to double check the estimate for repair to see what was wrong with the turbo exactly, but the folks who checked it out are the go to shop in the Richmond area for volvos, its all they do.

Post by **keepersboy** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:17

Cleaning the pcv and replacing hoses, worked wonders for my 94 850 turbo. It was smoking like crazy on startup and that is gone. Still has some oil leaks, but seems much less. Replacing vacum lines may well fix low turbo boost. A very small leak can cause lots of problems. Also clean out egr valve while manifold is off, I learnerd this the hard way. The parts for all this cost very little, is just time, and you can do it !!! Just take it one step at a time, there is no magic involved.

panamared · Post by **panamared** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:25

Ok, got some details to share...The problem with the turbo is leakage at the oil return pipe, it needs to be replaced or resealed. Quote on that was $1600 alone. The PCV housing is leaking as well.
You have given me some hope on getting it running, its a fun car to drive.

Post by **jimmy57** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:29

That may be the place people go but $1600 to reseal the drain tube on turbo is very high.

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:33

That's outrageous. The oil return line is just an O-ring that needs to be replaced and it takes less than 30 minutes to change - I've done it myself.

panamared · Post by **panamared** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:39

Ha! I knew they were the most expensive shop in town, thats why I stopped going there 5 years ago, but I didn't know it was that bad. That cracks me up. I must be missing something on their estimate though, parts for fixing the leak at the turbo charger is listed at 1150, that can't be for an O ring, right?
Thanks guys!

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Dec 2011, 09:42

I'd take that as they want to completely remove and rebuild the turbocharger - replace all the seals inside and everything.

If the drain line is leaking, I'd start there - a simple, easy fix that can be done without removing or rebuilding the turbo. Like I said, it's not too often the 15 or 16 turbos blow out seals and it's more likely a PCV system issue than the turbo causing the smoke.