1995 850 T-5R, Cream yellow 607 SoCal $2500 Topic is solved

[bil745t]

Updated info:

Our yellow 1995 850 T-5R, with auto trans, has a newly identified serious problem. I’m hoping there is someone who will buy this car, take on this problem and keep this car on the road.

First the good:

Approximately 135K. I’m estimating mileage because after we bought the car from our daughter, with a non-working odometer I was able to determine from that point backward there was about 9K-10K miles during which the odometer was not working. It currently shows 124K. During her ownership period (2nd owner) she used independent Volvo service shops. This is a CA car located near Los Angeles in Woodland Hills.

Maintenance and repairs done, unless otherwise noted, over last 6 years-
1. Odometer (2/11).
2. Mass air flow meter (4/12).
3. PNP switch (3/13).
4. Serpentine and timing belts, water pump and all related parts & hardware.
5. Fuel injectors professionally cleaned, plugs, wires, rotor & cap, air filter, fuel pump & filter.
6. Idle control valve, PCV system, knock sensors and various relays.
7. Turbo hoses and vacuum lines.
8. Alternator and battery.
9. Radiator, heater core, all hoses, thermostat and overflow tank & sensor.
10. Auxiliary cooling fan.
11. Brake rotors, pads and shims.
12. Shocks, struts, lower control arms and torque rod mount and bushing.
13. Axle - right Side.
14. Windshield wiper arm - left side
15. Tires.

Now the bad:

Two weeks ago, the car failed a SMOG test. In the recent past I had noticed an increase in oil loss and had attributed it to gasket/seal leaks from a 25-year-old engine. I had also considered replacing the 2 oil lines because there was oil on them and I thought they might be weeping (?). On occasion, when the car idled for a longer than usual time, I had noticed some bluish smoke coming from the exhaust. Based on previous experience with a turbo, I thought a seal was failing. After the SMOG test, wanting to make sure, I took the car to a highly regarded independent Volvo service I had used for some repairs. He determined the problem was piston rings. Cylinders #1 & #4 have very low compression. Adding oil to chambers increased compression 25 & 30 psi. The other 3 cylinders have low compression. This repair is beyond my capabilities and we’ve decided paying a pro for the repair would be too costly.

Additional items needing attention-
1. Left side axle boot.
2. Check engine light will randomly come on, stay on for a while and randomly go off. I’ve done the fuel trim procedure a few times and that works for a while and then not. CEL was not on at time of SMOG test.
3. The Tracs light has been on for years. Will occasionally go out.
4. The turbo boost gauge on dash has not worked. May have been left disconnected when odometer was fixed.
5. There is a battery drain that comes into play if car sits for 4 or more days. Only thing I could find is a 0.1 amp draw from circuit controlling courtesy lights, door warning lights, remote keyless entry and glove compartment. I think the GC light doesn’t always turn off.
6. Bumper has had contact with road from severe dips in parking lot entries & exits and street intersections. It is badly cracked and has been reinforced, from behind, with modified aluminum angles & rivets and, on front, with clear tape.
7. Head liner fabric is separating from ceiling panel.
8. Dash cover sometimes rattles when waiting at light.
9. Windshield has 2 “star” nicks.
10. Left side under dash panel not installed because panel hardware receivers on dash broken by unknown party.
11. Headlight wipers – left side motor works, right side does not rotate.
12. Fog lights.

Items that I don’t know if work or not-
1. Cruise control (don’t use).
2. Sunroof (don’t remember last time it was opened).
3. CD player in trunk (don’t use).

The car has the typical wear & tear one would expect on a 25-year-old vehicle. The car runs well even with the compression problem. There may be more of the good and bad but I haven’t left out anything significant. We’re asking $2,500.

[erikv11]

The blue smoke may just be valve stem seals not piston rings. Still a lot of work but do-able. Please don't replace the left axle, just re-boot it. The replacements are grossly inferior.

Someone buy this car!

[abscate]

Put an ask into the title , and location, and let’s move to Classifieds!

[Jaydiesel]

Is this a sedan or wagon. If a wagon, PM me asap.

[H0lDmYd6InK]

PM Sent

[bil745t]

I need help. I read FAQ & contacted admin because I can not figure out how to edit/update my original post. Admin stated there was an upgrade or maintenance in progress but that was 24 hours ago. Can someone educate me?

Also, I see how to add attachments but cannot find info on image size recommendation or how many are permitted.

Thanks, Bill

[matthew1]

Hi Bill. You may upload up to 100 images per post. If you can, make the images 1000-2000 pixels wide/tall. Save them as jpg format in low or medium quality. Today's low setting is easily adequate.

The window to edit posts closes eventually, but you're still within it. Click the pencil icon on your post.

You can put the images in reply to this, you don't have to put them in the lead post.

Post back if you have more questions or problems with this.

[bil745t]

Thank you for quick response.

[abscate]

Bill, take a snap of the plate in the inside of the driver fender. This might be the sought after Cream Yellow colour code that will help you get your price and move theproduct !,

You seek color code 607 on that plate

607-xx

[Brahms]

I would like to say she is worth that price for you, but there is quite a bit of work to do there, and missing the original wheels, and a decent bit of bumps and scratches about the surface. I would say in this shape it is not worth more than about $1200, unless you happen upon the fanatic like I was before I got one, and some of the real fanatics of the T5r yellow are pretty willing to pay more than they are worth just to get one. I would sure hate to this one get scrapped or parted. I really hope the right person buys her.