960 wagon 1995 bent valves from belt coming off

shellybelly · Post by **shellybelly** » 01 Oct 2009, 21:16

Have a wagon that has been sitting for 7 months..Not sure what to do with it. Came home one day turned off engine...turned engine on ...nothing. Jump started it...backfired..looked under hood...tensioner pulley shot through cover ..belt dangling but still good. Belt valves ?? Cracked head?? Many ..many new parts on this beast as I use it for animal rescue. I am getting quotes for 1000.00 it clearly blues at 2500.00. What to do?? I am so bummed as I drive a Golf and do not wish to!

so any suggestions would be great!!! No parts in this neck of woods. Should I sell out right or try to put her back together?? Best car I ever drove. Thank you so much

Michele B.

Post by **JDS60R** » 01 Oct 2009, 21:56

Hi Shelly,

Life is too short not to drive what you like. If you can afford it - do what makes you happy. You can always order a head and cam belt parts.

Have them do the head , pulley, tensioners,belt water pump etc. if you are going to keep it. Or - as a 960 is a RWD car you may want to switch to a FWD and have a new experience .

shellybelly · Post by **shellybelly** » 01 Oct 2009, 22:00

so is it worth it to fix it or should I part it out? I am torn there as 1000.00 seems extreme considering its value outright. Thoughts? Thank you..

Post by **JDS60R** » 01 Oct 2009, 22:05

The repair cost sounds ok. Remember that the cost of a repair never has anything to do with the value of the vehicle. I have seen $1000 cars that need $2500 in parts alone.

but with $1000 on the table it might be nice to move into a FWD and enjoy the traction and fuel mileage increase.

If you can part out the 960 then you may be able to make some money - otherwise you may take a small hit by selling it as is.

RCR · Post by **RCR** » 02 Oct 2009, 09:10

shellybelly wrote:Have a wagon that has been sitting for 7 months..Not sure what to do with it. Came home one day turned off engine...turned engine on ...nothing. Jump started it...backfired..looked under hood...tensioner pulley shot through cover ..belt dangling but still good. Belt valves ?? Cracked head?? Many ..many new parts on this beast as I use it for animal rescue. I am getting quotes for 1000.00 it clearly blues at 2500.00. What to do?? I am so bummed as I drive a Golf and do not wish to! so any suggestions would be great!!! No parts in this neck of woods. Should I sell out right or try to put her back together?? Best car I ever drove. Thank you so much

Michele B.

If you have not torn it down there is no way to know what is really going on inside. If the overall car is in good shape I personally would do the repair or drop in a new engine if I liked the car. There will be no more of those front engine rear wheel drive cars built and I consider the 960-90 series to be the last of the REAL Volvos! I have a 98 V-90 wagon that I dearly love and prefer it over the front drives I have been in.
Here is mine.

shellybelly · Post by **shellybelly** » 02 Oct 2009, 12:32

Wow very nice! Trade me?? lol Well I would love to open it up and check the engine out but it is very time consuming and if the engine is a total loss it is hard for me to justify an engine for 2500.00 or repairs for 1000.00 when it blue books for 2500.00. It only has one dent and some rust on the tail gate. No biggies. Parts are very hard to find for it so that is another hurdle. Thanks so much.

Michele B.

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 02 Oct 2009, 12:47

If there is a bright spot, it's that this is a longitudinal mounted engine and FAR easier to do a head swap than a transverse.

bright · Post by **bright** » 14 Oct 2009, 17:58

Time for the scrappers. Buy another wagon. You've hit a point called diminishing returns. You may be too emotionally attached to what is essentially made from rocks, plants and other stuff.

I've had my share of cars, and their are those are I really enjoyed but there is a time for things to end.

Good Luck

shellybelly · Post by **shellybelly** » 14 Oct 2009, 18:24

I posted the car on Craig's List and here with absolutely no takers. Not a peep. UUUGGG.So yes...I have decided to let her go.

bright · Post by **bright** » 14 Oct 2009, 18:37

Call around and ask different junkyards about how much they will pay for your car. I was able to get $175 for a very dead Saab. They'll come out, tow it for free and give you a receipt for the car once you sign the title over.

That's how they did it Florida. Saved me a lot of time and hassle. Good Luck