Is it worth it to save my Volvo 850 Turbo?

caj767314922 · Post by **caj767314922** » 17 Dec 2015, 23:52

I bought this car two weeks ago. Has brand new tires. Body is mint. Frame is mint. Meaning absolutely no rust. Not even surface rust. My first ever car to not have rust. When I first bought the car I thought it had 149,200 because that was what it said on the odometer. Well the odometer is broken and a previous inspection sticker shows "estimate 185,540 miles"

I was like wow.. I know Volvo's are reliable and they're virtually bulletproof. But now this car is slowly starting to lose compression and it might need a head gasket.

I love this car and it still runs and drives excellent even with the problems. No idea how but I know my luck is going to end and the engine will need a rebuild. Now do you think it's worth the engine rebuild?

I see low mile wrecked Volvo 850's for dirt cheap. I'm thinking of buying a wrecked Volvo and using it as a donor.

Is that a smart idea or just dumb?

matt122s · Post by **matt122s** » 18 Dec 2015, 04:33

How do you know it's losing compression? Have you done several compression tests, or do you mean it's losing power when you're driving? There could be a lot of different causes for loss of power. I did an engine swap on my 850 earlier this year in my driveway. It's really not to bad, it just takes a few days. There's a really good write up on this site by Wheelsup, very detailed with photos and helpful hints. I printed it out and went to town, it's so much better than the Haynes manual.
Good luck, Matt

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 18 Dec 2015, 05:31

Let's see... no rust, good body, frame, new tires, runs and drives excellent, some ~185k miles on the clock. And you want to know if it's worth "saving".

I apologize in advance for what's to come...

These cars were built for, and regularly run, 400 000 miles. The engines were built to handle 400-500 hp. Stock auto trannys were built to handle 300 hp. And you want to scrap a straight, no rust, 185k Turbo 850 because you "think" it's "losing compression?! Are you clinically insane? Judging from you "my first rust free car" comment, I'm guessing you (like me, for that matter) don't have the cash to just toss vehicles around like that.

With a little more brain usage, I'm 99,99% sure that whatever power loss you're experiencing is a vacuum or boost leak in OEM hoses that have never been changed. Now, like I said, I'm sorry about my aggression about this, but I'm sick and tired of seeing people who want to scrap their Volvo because of stupid little issues that would cost less than 50 bucks to fix.

So pull your head out of wherever it is, and let us know what your symptoms are that make you think you're "losing compression", and we'll help you fix whatever it is! We know Volvos here, and like matt122s said, there are guys here that swap engines in these things in their driveways. So get your camera, take some pics, and let us know what your car's telling you!

- S

Post by **tryingbe** » 18 Dec 2015, 05:40

Diagnosis the symptoms first, don't guess.

You can actually get the miles out from the computer quite easily.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=6731

Replace the odometer gear is also easy.

Post by **cn90** » 18 Dec 2015, 07:53

Want something bullet-proof? Then buy a kevlar jacket.

Nothing is bullet-proof, a car with 180K-200K needs a lot of attention.
And always start with the basics: spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, Cap/Rotor, Bougicord. Basically anything related to: air, spark and fuel.

Then PCV system.

Then go from there.

Search forum for DIYs in the database.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Dec 2015, 08:45

Somm - let us know what you really think....

caj.....

we are pretty passionate about these cars, as you can tell. Dont sweat the 180 vs 140, if it was cared for enough to reach the 180, you have a solid base from which to work.

Lets see your compression numbers. Generally engine rebuilding is not the way to go, a swap is...IF you need it. Long way from knowing that for certain.

I found MVS 5 years ago on the same quest - I had a 1999 that needed to have deferred maintenance addressed, but I loved the car too much to dump it as a 1000 USD giveaway. Still driving it now at 175k

Post by **tryingbe** » 18 Dec 2015, 09:55

185k? That's nothing. My last engine had 330k miles. I put in a 160k engine almost 2 years ago, with new timing belt kit and waterpump. Now my chassis have over 370k. Any original parts? Some, but not much.

I have new struts/shocks on an aftermarket coilover, new control arms, new engine mounts, new subframe bushings, new to me M56H manual transmission, new vacuum hoses, new to me IPD reverse pipings, rebuilt 15g, new all aluminum radiator, new all aluminum intercooler, newer silicone radiator hoses, new 0/1 ground and positive cables, new gauges, new speedo gear, fixed the rattle dash, etc, list goes on and on.

Yes, I could have bought a different/newer car with all the money I spent. But then, all cars are money pit.

Post by **rspi** » 18 Dec 2015, 11:52

What year is the car?

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 18 Dec 2015, 15:39

abscate wrote:Somm - let us know what you really think....

I hope I didn't scare him away...
It just bugs the heck out of me with all these people scrapping their 850s just because a hose fell off or the radiator needs changing. I hope caj posts back some numbers and/or codes, so we can help him "save" it.

- S