I just bought my first Volvo- 95 850 GLT

Hanzi · Post by **Hanzi** » 14 Mar 2012, 07:19

Me: I am a mid level diy'er (I can swap motors, but not rebuild them) and I am a dollar per mile bottom line person. I like if a car has character and I love to tinker with oddities, but ultimately I am also about reliability and getting the most miles per dollar/hour. That does not necessarily mean I am cheap- I have found you get what you pay for in machines- most of the time.
Currently my garage has (in various stages of disrepair) a 71 VW Van, 72 Beetle, 63 Spitfire to tinker with. My newly purchased 850 replaces an Escort wagon- I think it was the last in a line of four I have owned- which all totaled came in just under a million miles. My record on an escort wagon was 310,000. I have a decent record of getting miles from cars, and I am hoping to do the same with the Volvo. Living in Buffalo, there are fewer and fewer worthy escort bodies around. For a couple years I watched the CL until I picked up an 850 for $1000.

The Car: 1995- (in NYS that is critical) previously owned by retired gentleman, two of his children drove it after he passed about 2 years ago. Odometer is not functioning, it is stuck at 91k. It is reported by the current owner that it stopped around a year ago and probably has about 110k on it. My best estimate based on condition of knobs, pedals, etc. says no more than 150-200k max. All electrical works, all knobs are stout and unworn, pedals show no wear- I have been in several 850s with 200k, and these interior pieces showed dramatically more wear.
There was no FSH paperwork leftover after the estate closed. Reported by them: 1)timing belt by shop when father was alive, about 4 years ago (seems appropriate with their mileage story at perhaps 75k) and 2) no other major work known- I specifically asked about any front end stuff- but no known work done.

My Questions:
I need advice on immediate needs:

Is Haynes a good manual, or is there a better product out there?

What manufacturers/suppliers do you recommend for timing belt, and tensioner/idler? Should I consider a preventive water pump while I am there? I have done lots of Tbelts, but never on a Volvo- any tricks or tips? Any thing else that can be done with this job?

I need a complete exhaust, perhaps even manifold. Parts brand/suppliers for everything (including oxygen sensors)?

While nothing felt out of place yet, age and mileage tells me front end is next- I do not have the equipment to do this myself, can I expect high prices for this work to be done at a shop, or is it equivalent to any other make?

Reasonable make overs: what do you suggest to recolor the out side plastic fascia and trim that fades to charcoal color, will enamel stick? Interior is tan, leather is fine, dash is fine, but the carpet/plush is faded to that tan/pink color that seems to happen. Anyone ever sponge dye it, or is an expensive interior job the only option?

Any other Volvo specific things I should consider- coolants, oils, preventative stuff?

Lastly, car ownership has been a communal thing for me in the past (both with vws and escorts) and I may need some more friends. Are there any good contacts or clubs for Volvo owners in Western NY? No offense, I would like to find a group dedicated to "keeping them alive" rather than collectors - I just do not want to feel out of place if I don't drive in with a 73 sport wagon or yellow T5...like I said I am a basics guy- those cars are amazing, but I can find beauty and satisfaction with escorts.

Thanks to any one who takes the time to read/reply.

Post by **rspi** » 14 Mar 2012, 10:51

Hi and welcome to the site.

In all honestly, this site and http://www.VolvoForums.com will have most of what you need in repair/service guidance. Most have found the Haynes manual good for most jobs.

A good thing about that car is that you can check the actual mileage yourself with the OBD-I box located near your ECU box (to the left of the power steering pump res). From there you can decide if you need to do your timing belt. If it was done 4 years ago and at 75k, I would leave it alone unless you hear noise coming from a tensioner or idler roller. Should be changed at 140,000 to get back on track. Older parts are better than newer imo, so leave what is there until due. Most do the water pump while there, I however do NOT. If it's not leaking, leave it be, but most think a 17 year old water pump is a ticking time bomb. I think it was changed the last time the belt was done. Just a thought.

The next item of concern would be the PCV system. There is a sticky here to explain that system.

Most of the suspension can be done with normal hand tools short of the strut replacement (spring compressors). There is a post around here just a few days old that tells about suspension woe's. Here's the link to that:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=47327

Here is another link to learn maybe all you need to know about your new ownership:
http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850- ... v70s-9266/

Here is a link to my instructions on checking mileage:

850_Mileage_Checker.pdf: How to check mileage on a Volvo 850, 1993 - 1995; (63.18 KiB) Downloaded 185 times

Other than that, try topost a picture of two. We like pics.

Good day!!!

Post by **rspi** » 14 Mar 2012, 20:36

Oh, bumper trim, Showroom New: http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5280/109 ... r-dressing

Hanzi · Post by **Hanzi** » 15 Mar 2012, 12:15

Thanks for pointing me around the forum/web. You really saved me quite a bit of time, and have me off to a good start..

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Mileage checks out with the previous owner's story: 115,102 miles came blinking back at me.

I am utterly amazed that the manifold came off with no effort whatsoever. I am so used to having to unmount/jack the engine, studs breaking, nuts rounding, block stripping, bent over sideways gymnastics etc etc... Small 3/8 ratchet with a deep 12 is all it took- no breaker bar, no torches, no fuss. I am hoping this is a harbinger of things to come.

Picked up an 8 month old cat, o2 sensors and muffler for $175- ordered the manifold today from FCPGroton, along with a timing kit. I will probably just pull the cover and do an inspection. If I verify a change out, I will let it go to 140k. I am considering new tires but if not, the car should be inspected and ready to go for under 2k!

Happy times, so far.

Thanks.

RDEJR · Post by **RDEJR** » 15 Mar 2012, 14:40

To get all the belt line trim and the front/rear bumper plastics to look new(ish) again, get yourself a cheap heat-gun (I would imagine a blowdryer might work the same) and just very carefully and slowly, heat the plastic. You will see the plastic color start to change to it's darker original. After that, while its still hot, hit it with Kiwi Black show polish. Then after it cools, wipe it clean.

There is a thread on here somewhere about that, not sure where at the moment. There are also plenty of videos on youtube, the one I saw was using a heat gun and a volvo 850 wagon.

Cheers!