What should I invest in to check/repair

[viper69]

Your PCV system is probably still fine at that mileage if you were diligent about oil changes, but it never hurts to check. Do the "glove test" for peace of mind.

I change the oil every 3,000. I use Castrol GTX primarily. A few times Valvoline has been used.

[viper69]

The factory front suspension tends to fall apart in the 110k - 150k range. Check out the control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar end links, struts and spring seats.

Thanks. I wasn't aware of this. I know at some point some sort of front rod related to the wheels was replaced with a rebuilt one. I'd have to look up my receipt to know for sure.

It's been a one owner car, my family bought it. So I'd like to make sure it keeps going for as long as possible.

On that note, the I have a leak in the windshield washer fluid, not happy as I know where the tank is located, at the bottom on the front right/passenger side. I bet it cracked. If I can find the leak, I will see if I can use some type of expoxy to seal over it. I don't feel like shelling out money for that repair job.

[viper69]

They both have great ideas. Freshening up the suspension will make you love your car even more unless somehow it's managed to hold up exceedingly well. You can do with a poor ride for a while but you can't do without a timing belt though. I'd say to do the timing belt and water pump first and suspension next. My pump blew at 140k while my other car I don't think ever had a new pump its entire 300k mile life. If you do the timing belt might as well get everything down there taken care of too.

Yeah I'll look and see what was done. I know the timing belt was done, and I recall people telling me here to get other work down like you mentioned above. I think at the time however either I DID do it, or I didn't due to funds.

[viper69]

I've got a question for anyone.

Is the trunk light supposed to go turn on automatically when the trunk is opened? I can't remember if this is one of the quirky "features" from the Swedes that actually doesn't function the way we expect it to here in the USA.

[viper69]

Maybe the heater core - I needed to replace mine when I got it with 140k miles on it.

(I agree with timing belt first.)

Heater core replaced less than a year ago.

[viper69]

The factory front suspension tends to fall apart in the 110k - 150k range. Check out the control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar end links, struts and spring seats.

Worth inspecting the above along with the dust booths at the steering rack. If any of these are still good, no need to replace them now, these are quite easily replaced later on.

The most important thing to know is which replacement brands should be used. Read here on forums.
Yours being a non turbo, you need to remove the air box thermostat and set the flap for cold air, similar to this
The PCV must be inspected by now.
Regardless of the condition, I would replace all 4 shock absorbers along with the front spring seats: very important to buy only the brands people recommend here for these parts.
I'd remove the serpentine belt and inspect by hand the alternator, a/c compressor and tensioner pulleys.
Replace the coolant thermostat if original.

I'll look into those. I know one of the dust boots was replaced with new back in about 2011 I believe, the other was fine.

I should do the shocks, I honestly can't remember when they were done last. I'll have to take a look to be sure.


What brands do people recommend for shocks? And what model of shock too? I've never been very good at knowing shock info.


On the alternator, what do you mean by inspect it by hand?

The A/C compressor has been checked, done when the heater core was replaced. The tensioner pulleys checked too, back in 2014.

[tryingbe]

When was the timing belt/waterpump last changed?

Not long ago. I checked yesterday, I have 80,000 miles to go on that.

Volvo recommends timing belt every 70000 miles.

http://volvo.custhelp.com/app/manuals/O ... om_id/1111

[abscate]

Nice catch tryingbe

Its 70,000 miles/ 7 years first occurring on the 1995 models, correct.

How is the car riding? If you are on good roads, the suspension can last longer than 100k - there is no reason to replace it if you like the ride and the tires arent wearing out. One easy measurement is the ride height - this will give an indication of your spring wear, which will tell you how hard the suspension has been used. Measure from flat road to bottom of fender well, report and have people compare. I gained something like 1-2 inches when I did my 1999

[erikv11]

I've got a question for anyone.

Is the trunk light supposed to go turn on automatically when the trunk is opened? I can't remember if this is one of the quirky "features" from the Swiss Swedes that actually doesn't function the way we expect it to here in the USA.

Yes it is supposed to go on. But there is a little switch on the trunk light too, make sure the light is switched on.

[Clemens]

The switch for the trunk ligh has a tendency to move to the off position on my wagons and the sedan as well.

Btw, replace the PS fluid just to be safe.