Should I continue with the Volvo 850? Topic is solved

Vulva15853 · Post by **Vulva15853** » 23 Jun 2025, 14:24

I picked her up for $500. She has 120,000 miles on the odometer, interior is pretty minty, all power options work (except for A/C) No signs of rust anywhere on the exterior even underneath. The glove test failed, so I did the PCV cleaning/upgrade and found that the PO recently had done these (he had died, I wasn't able to confirm this until I dug into it). I'm still getting excessive pressure from the dipstick and oil filler. Should I keep digging and fix her or cut my losses and send her to the junk yard?

Vulva15853 · Post by **Vulva15853** » 23 Jun 2025, 14:44

I've also replaced all the vacuum lines and one-way valves.

Post by **Sveedy** » 23 Jun 2025, 15:31

Keep it. Particularly if it's rust free. If you toss it, you'll just end up looking back and thinking " What if I'd done this ...?"
If the car has been sitting awhile the rings might be a bit stuck. At least keep digging and do a compression test etc. 120,00 is pretty low for its age.
At a $500 starting point, you have a bit of room to play.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 23 Jun 2025, 15:40

Junk yard? That seems extreme.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 23 Jun 2025, 18:41

In some instances the oil pan needs to be dropped to properly clear all passages. Engine overall is pretty simple without much electronics, one can possibly justify to throw a new set of piston rings as minimal investment.(minus time dedication)

Post by **wheelsup** » 23 Jun 2025, 22:25

If you want a cheap easy fix, just pull the oil dipstick out and attach radiator hose or similar to the tube and route it underneath the engine bay. This will alleviate the pressure in the crankcase and preserve the RMS.

DennisCA · Post by **DennisCA** » 23 Jun 2025, 23:31

An 850 is definitely worth it. Any late 90s car in good working condition and without rust issues, particularly a Volvo, is worth a lot.

Consider the development of cars since 2000 and the state we're in 2025. Having an old reliable car in the future is just getting harder and harder.

These cars will become worth more simply because of this as the new reality and cost of cars starts sinking in with people . I'm already seeing the beginning rumblings and things will grow worse IMO. Imagine being say the 3rd or 4th owner of a 15 year old wet belt engine car and no parts have existed for it for 5 years, yeah that's the future.

5underpressure · Post by **5underpressure** » 24 Jun 2025, 12:01

For most any vehicle not rusty, the junkyard is a terrible place for it to go.

Vulva15853 · Post by **Vulva15853** » 24 Jun 2025, 16:47

wheelsup wrote: ↑23 Jun 2025, 22:25 If you want a cheap easy fix, just pull the oil dipstick out and attach radiator hose or similar to the tube and route it underneath the engine bay. This will alleviate the pressure in the crankcase and preserve the RMS.

How long can you run these with this "fix"?

Post by **abscate** » 24 Jun 2025, 17:34

5underpressure wrote: ↑24 Jun 2025, 12:01 For most any vehicle not rusty, the junkyard is a terrible place for it to go.

When they do go they should look like this….