New Volvo 850 Purchase!

[454cid]

That was a rare corporate cooperative venture and the Toronado FWD package was installed. (oh, maybe that was a 455...)

As a kid, some mechanic neighbors put a Toronado engine and auto transaxle in the back seat of a 911 (!?) They had some adapter kit. A bizarre swap.

I actually looked at a 68 Toronado when I initially looked at the 850. I don't think I had ever seen one before in person. They must have rusted quickly and been mostly off the road before I paid much attention to cars. It was a really neat looking car. This particular car looked good until you got up close. It was rusty here and there, but in other areas had severe rust....such as the A-pillars rusting THROUGH! The interior was trashed/missing on top of that.

[454cid]

I got one key fob working. I think maybe the battery wasn't in right. The other one still doesn't work. I'll test the battery later.

I took a look in the trunk again, and found a pen, so that's a bonus. Also, the jack and associated hardware looks brand new. The rim and tire is very clean, but does look like it has some wear on the tread. I suppose it could have been cleaned before being put away. They're also a brand new license plate bracket in there, with screws in a Volvo bag.... I guess PA doesn't use the front plate. The car is from PA, as indicated by inspection stickers.

I was perusing the manual, last night, and a previous owner must have taken it quite seriously, as I've found much highlighted.

I routinely clean my engines bay with degreaser and a pressure washer. I know that makes some people super uneasy, and others say it's fine as long as you cover anything electrical. I cover nothing, and will often spray things like the alternator directly. However, some engines do have specifics that need to be cared for.... an example would be the GM LS engines that have the knock sensors in the valley. Does my 850 (non-turbo) have any sensitive parts that I should be aware of before cleaning the engine bay? I'd rather work on a clean car, than a dirty car.

[454cid]

Did my inspection today. I pulled wheels on the passenger side.... front looked almost new, but the rear needs work.

Added a bit of coolant.

Checked brake fluid level and it was fine.

The car still isn't reaching temperature, so definitely a thermostat.

I pulled the timing cover to see what there was to see.... some wetness down low, but I was unable to determine if it's a bit of oil, or a bit of coolant. I'm getting the waterpump kit either way.

Upper engine mount looks fine to me.... and I forgot to look for the lower when I had the wheel off, and couldn't find it with the wheel on.

The car did seem to buck a little going down the road a few times on the way home... maybe plugs/wires?

I noticed another vacuum line disconnected. It's the white one that heads from the vacuum tree back towards the firewall.

ABS/Trak lights are intermittent. The ABS actually kicked in while on a snow/ice covered driveway. I'll wait a bit on messing with this.

The heated seat was nice on the way home.

When I had the front wheel off, it was so nice not seeing a rusted mess like on my Saturn.

[abscate]

was perusing the manual, last night, and a previous owner must have taken it quite seriously, as I've found much highlighted.

Volvo owners read.

[foggydogg]

I would be careful with the idea of power washing the underhood, lots of old electric connections may not take kindly to the invasion.
How are you reading temp ? If it's just a low needle on the dash, that could be the sensor, or see 'old...', above.
Those bolts on the thermostat housing can be right stuck, and kind of tender, too. The sensor is right there.

[xHeart]

Hello, I've just won a local auction for a 1996 850. I don't even have possession of it yet, but am starting to make plans. It will be my daily driver. I have no Volvo experience, prior to this. I don't think I've even ridden in one as a passenger.

I'm putting together some parts orders.... filters, belts, thermostat, but am kind of holding off until I actually have the car and can go over it myself rather than guessing at what it needs.

Congratulation!
You may enjoy reading about Stage 0 here at MVS. Here is my log of all the work on 1997 850, it was like yours search.php?keywords=1997+850&terms=all& ... mit=Search



ALSO, before you order parts, I've a box of new and used parts and tools from my 850 that you could use -- a gift to you on behalf of MVS Mavericks. If you wish then please send me your shipping address privately. I will send you the tracking # after it ships.

Happy Motoring!

[rguzz]

My handicap is my brain so I go to You Tube and scrutinize at least one video on each separate repair before undertaking, example thermostat r+r. Robert DIY you are familiar with, there are others. Tips, like replace t stat hex style bolts with 10mm heads for easy removal, torque specs, etc. As everyone has stated this can take a few months, and with winter here, good opportunity to do stage 0. Inside, if possible! Compared to my Audi working on this car is a joy indeed. Won't take long before you become familiar. My 96 is now my go to reliable long haul vehicle.

[454cid]

I would be careful with the idea of power washing the underhood, lots of old electric connections may not take kindly to the invasion.

Good point on the age.

How are you reading temp ? If it's just a low needle on the dash, that could be the sensor, or see 'old...', above.
Those bolts on the thermostat housing can be right stuck, and kind of tender, too. The sensor is right there.

See old what?

Watching the gauge, yes, but also the upper radiator hose never seems to get beyond warm, and neither does the heat. The heat will be warmish, and suddenly drop in temperature which also corresponds with the gauge needle dropping. I've also checked the temperature right at the thermostat housing with an IR gun.... a cheap one, and I'll admit that in this weather (teens F) the car probably wasn't fully warmed up yet, but the most I was seeing was 140F.

Is there a common upgrade on those bolts? I can get 10.9 metric locally easily enough, or I might go Allen head. Whatever goes back in will get anti-seize, and tightened with a torque wrench, providing I have a torque spec.

[454cid]

My handicap is my brain so I go to You Tube and scrutinize at least one video on each separate repair before undertaking, example thermostat r+r. Robert DIY you are familiar with, there are others. Tips, like replace t stat hex style bolts with 10mm heads for easy removal, torque specs, etc. As everyone has stated this can take a few months, and with winter here, good opportunity to do stage 0. Inside, if possible! Compared to my Audi working on this car is a joy indeed. Won't take long before you become familiar. My 96 is now my go to reliable long haul vehicle.

Yes, watching videos is something i've been doing even before the purchase. In part that's what helped me decide to really pursue this car.

I did just watch Robert's thermostat video, and also one by FCP. I had questions on the gaskets, because of the Aisan kit I saw on Rockauto.... extra gaskets. In reality, it's just one gasket for the 850, and is much like the thermostat on my 454. Robert mentioned grabbing bolts from other areas of the engine. I don't feel like tromping around a salvage yard at this time of year, and I'm not confident I'd find a Volvo anyway.... the local yard seems to crush fast and Volvo's aren't prolific in my area. If I question the condition of the originals, I'll replace them with something I can get new locally... I was thinking maybe Allen head bolts.

Next on my video watch list will be Delta link rear suspension bushings. Hopefully, I won't need that info immediately.

[454cid]

Congratulation!
You may enjoy reading about Stage 0 here at MVS. Here is my log of all the work on 1997 850, it was like yours search.php?keywords=1997+850&terms=all& ... mit=Search

I will definitely take a look.

I like the blue.

ALSO, before you order parts, I've a box of new and used parts and tools from my 850 that you could use -- a gift to you on behalf of MVS Mavericks. If you wish then please send me your shipping address privately. I will send you the tracking # after it ships.

Thank you. I do already have a parts order in. I'll send you a message a bit later, to check if you have anything I still need.