IPD/FCPEuro, Evaporators & Abandoned Volvos Topic is solved

[HonestTodd]

Going to cover a couple topics here.

I've always been etremely happy with IPD for my previous Volvos but have been on the FCP Euro site recently and they seem to have more selection as well as better explantion of the companies who make their after-market parts. Does anyone have a strong reason to prefer one company over another?

Had the Schrader valve (spelling?) replaced in my AC system. Still had a slow leak which turned out not to be so slow. Mechanic expects it's the evaporator so it looks like a friend and I will undertake that job. Significant cost difference between genuine Volvo and aftermarket parts. FCP has a couple aftermarket options including Nissens. Thoughts on Volvo evaporators over Nissens or other after-market brands?

Finally, does anyone go a little nuts when they see volvos parked in someone's driveway and it's obvious they have not been driven for a few years? During regular walks, I've seen three such volvos in the last week or so, a 94 850 turbo, later 90s s70 and a 740/940 wagon.

Yesterday, I spoke to the guy who owns the 94 850. Original owner, 132K miles. Replaced the turbo about 6 years ago. License plates show that it hasn't been registered since 2015. Starts right up but he's reluctant to drive it as their appears to be some smoke coming from the back of the engine by the turbo. My impression is he wants to recover the money he spent fixing the turbo which is a non-starter. Given all the unknowns, this seems like a good $500-$1,000 car. Ugh!

[FlyingVolvo]

Personal opinion only, but I'm a fan of FCPEuro. Whenever I need parts, I tend to crosscheck 4 sites: FCP, IPD, eEuroparts, and Volvo Parts Webstore. I check for price usually, but if it's negligible I go for FCP due to their customer service and parts guarantees. I will say I've had a couple issues with FCP orders (broken on arrival, missing parts), but each time they responded quickly and made the situation right. IPD feels like they've lost a bit of their enthusiast touch that they had 10 years ago, but they still often have good deals and some performance stuff that you don't see as much on the purely parts replacement sites. IPD also gives me a slight military discount which I have always appreciated, and I've never had any issues with orders. They're a good company and an MVS sponsor, so I try to support them too. (Ordered some stuff last week!) Usually if FCP and IPD don't have a part I need, eEuroparts or Volvo Parts Webstore will have it.

For the AC evap, you will be fine with a Nissens or Behr if they have it. Lot of members here seem to be running those brands with no issues. It is a tough job, so don't skimp out on parts too much and end up having to do it twice.

Finally, yes! I don't see many here in rural OK, but there definitely are some hidden gems still laying around mostly undriven.

PS. Not to pump the FCP train too hard, but they are having a sale right now on all orders. See the stickied thread at top of this forum.

[j-dawg]

For a lot of smaller items - seals, gaskets, trim, hardware, other bits that are best to buy blue box - you might be surprised how reasonable pricing is at the dealer.