Login Register

1996 850R Engine/Transmission Life

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

Post Reply
wackenhut
Posts: 212
Joined: 7 July 2015
Year and Model: 850R 1996
Location: FLORIDA

1996 850R Engine/Transmission Life

Post by wackenhut »

Hi,

I just wanted to get some feedback in terms of the expected life of the engine/transmission on this car before any overhaul is necessary. The car has been properly maintained and currently has just under 200K miles. I appreciate it.

User avatar
erikv11
Posts: 11800
Joined: 25 July 2009
Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
Location: Iowa
Has thanked: 292 times
Been thanked: 765 times

Post by erikv11 »

You can expect 300k or more from the transmission, since you say car has been properly maintained (i.e. assuming the transmission has not been beat on). There have been failures before that but they are very uncommon to rare.

Hopefully there have been some transmission fluid changes along the way but if not, then 200k is a fine time to start with a vehicle that was properly maintained so far. Drain 3.5 quarts using the plug, refill exactly the same amount, repeat in 500 miles until you have done it 3 times. Now you can wait 30k at which point do a full 14 qt exchange.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

User avatar
misha  
Posts: 5379
Joined: 7 December 2008
Year and Model: '97 850 2.5 20v
Location: Serbia
Has thanked: 152 times
Been thanked: 402 times

Post by misha »

If it is properly maintained,it will run another 200k without problems.
200k is nothing for these cars. :wink:
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

User avatar
RussB
Posts: 570
Joined: 15 July 2014
Year and Model: '00 S70, '04 S60
Location: connecticut
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Post by RussB »

How long is a piece of rope?
'00 S70, '04 S60 and the never ending quest for Stage Zero

User avatar
FLXC90
Posts: 1132
Joined: 18 August 2014
Year and Model: 98 V70 T5
Location: Florida Panhandle
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 45 times

Post by FLXC90 »

twice as long as the distance from the middle to the parts store?

my beater 98 N/A has 230 right now, and the motor and trans are great. I could see an easy 300 out of them. Robert had 400+ on a Volvo of his, there are several posters here that are 300+. you've been here long enough to know the basics, oil changes, timing belts, PCV, trans fluid changes.
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post