I just picked up a 1996 Volvo Platinum Wagon

[abscate]

Platinum matt,

The turbos on these cars are bullet proof and usually not a problem. Definitely use synthetic oil on the oil change though.

[rspi]

[tryingbe]

anything peculiar to turbos that I should look for?
Thanks again, Matt

If the turbo makes boost and no noise, it's working as it should. There might be oil around the turbo due to the PCV system, but as long as the turbo get its unrestricted oil feed and return, it is happy.

[bmdubya1198]

Nice!
I could have gotten a Platinum a month or so ago, but it needed too much body work. The thing was t-boned, likely some bad frame damage. He only wanted $200!! And it ran great, it was just filthy from sitting a couple months. And, of course, wrecked.

[matt122s]

Hi All,
Just a quick update on my new Volvo. I went to replace the the muffler today and the catalytic converter seemed to move side to side too easily. I removed the heat shields on the back of the head and found the flex pipe broken in the catalytic converter. I removed it and took it to the local Midas shop and they were able to weld in a new flex section for $175. It was a little more money than I thought it would be, but they did a great job, I needed it today, and it's a heck of a lot less than a replacement converter. I was able to get the exhaust completed today, woowho!!!
Tomorrow while the weather is nice I'll replace the timing components and water pump. I usually go to FCP for their kits, but I found an Aisin kit with water pump, (TKV-004) on seabay for $170.The only thing I thought was wierd was there are no water pump bolts. But for that price I'll go get new ones at the hardware store.
I'm ordering the PCV kit and will replace that at some point next week. I still need to do motor mounts.

Here's a picture from when I picked it up.

Some of the parts I'm working with.

IMG_0195.JPG (31.32 KiB) Viewed 1946 times

IMG_0198.JPG (30.95 KiB) Viewed 1946 times

[abscate]

Glad the weather is cooperating and will look forward to seeing it it out on the 128 loop!!!

[bmdubya1198]

Looks good!

[platinum850]

glad to see another one, what exhaust did you end up going with?

[matt122s]

I went with the Starla muffler it sounds pretty good but it's not sealing well at the converter. I'm going to try re-positioning it and use another new clamp. I'd rather not cut the joint out and weld it together, but it's not good the way it is.
I had a scare when I changed the oil today, I tried to undo the oil drain plug with a 19 mm box wrench and couldn't get the drain plug to turn. I hadn't had a chance to change the oil and filter since I picked up the car last week but I noticed it had a constant drip from the drain plug. I ended up using my 1/2 breaker bar and a long pipe on the end of it to get the drain plug to turn. In the end it came out fine and of course didn't have a washer on it. I had visions of it being cross threaded from the P.O. or JB welded in place and having to replace the oil pan. The oil was the worst I've ever seen, I did a quick change with Castrol 10-40 and a bottle of Marvel Mystery oil just to loosen all the crud and clean it out a bit. I'll do another oil change in a few weeks and make the switch to synthetic.
There's a loud noise coming from the alternator I couldn't hear before when the exhaust was so loud. The bearings are making a growling noise, if I take off the serpentine belt the noise goes away. The engine actually sounds really good for a 20 year old car once the alt isn't making the growling noise. Since I'll be doing the PCV system this weekend I decided to yank out the alternator and replace the bearings and the regulator. I'll be half way to having the alternator out anyway.
Thanks, Matt

[mecheng]

My alternator had a slight noise, I sprayed it with wd40 and all is well. Wd40 is safe for alternators