850 turbo wagon post purchase repairs

[wylie_snoop]

I'm looking to buy a 95-ish 850 turbo wagon. What items can I expect to be repairing/replacing on a car with around 130,000 miles, and what do I need to look out for? How much am I looking at for repair costs if these items do need to be fixed? Any and all advise is greatly appreciated, I am struggling to justify that a purchase like this is right. I really like the look, the price, and the drivability of these cars... I do not want another car payment.

Thanks

[luketrash]

Immediate items differ with every car.

However, all the things that "would be nice to replace" typically include all of the suspension parts (shocks, struts, bushings), the engine mounts perhaps, the PCV system, timing belt, water pump.

I seem to always buy my volvos, used, from people who think Midas and Jiffy Lube were sufficient to service their vehicle.. People that did the bare minimum.

Thus, why my purchase prices are so low as well though...

This 850 I just got with 108k miles is in good driving condition. But it's at that limbo where things are going to start failing with age and I'll have to replace things as they go.

I did preventative maintenance on my '91 244 and put a lot of money into making it a perfect car, which did NOTHING for resale value. So now I just kind of fix things before they need it, but don't go out of my way to put new parts on the car where they are not needed.

ie: I'll be changing my timing belt soon, but I'm not buying a new tensioner or water pump right now since they're both working.

[robert213]

r213faq

Maintenance items to expect to be addressed immediately after purchase...

1) Timing Belt must be replaced every 70K miles.
If the work to replace timing belt was performed by a Volvo dealership, you will find a silver sticker on the side of the plastic cover of the ECU. On the sticker you will find the date and mileage when the work was performed.

2) Brake Pads and Rotors
In my experience, OEM pads only last 25K miles. Rotors must be replaced, they can't be turned.

3) ATF (Dexron-III) will be black.
I would not power flush, in fear that debris will break loose and cause problems.

Here are procedures that I used to drain and fill...
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=6887

Best option is to purchase ATF DIY flush kit from
http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx? ... RootID=629

This does NOT apply to 1999 and newer Volvo(s) which have AW55-50/51SN transmission. This transmission requires Mobil/Volvo JWS 3309. It is not synthetic. It is expensive -- $18/quart.

4) Do NOT use power steering fluid. Our systems use Dexron-III.

5) Volvo no longer sells 87C/190F thermostat. Do NOT use OEM 90C/195F, purchase 87C/190F Wahler from
http://www.fcpgroton.com

Here are procedures that I used to replace thermostat and ECT...
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?p=17828


6) Misc.
-- purchase a hydraulic jack to lift front of car for oil changes
-- purchase a pair of jack stands (place on engine sub-frame)
-- purchase a package of aluminum crush washers for oil drain plug
-- purchase a magnetic oil drain plug from FCPGroton (optional)
-- purchase one aluminum crush washer for ATF drain plug