New Volvo 850 Purchase!

[454cid]

I got the thermostat changed today.... the hardest part was getting the housing out of the hole it's in, made by all the components around it. I used a 3/8" drive wobble extension which allowed me to get to the rear bolt. I would have used 1/4" drive, but my Torx sockets are limited. I have the Lisle set that is a combination of 1/4" and 3/8" drive. I'll look into getting something better.

The thermostat I removed was closed, which doesn't make sense to me. It's a Volvo part, so maybe the original. The gasket was in good shape, as were the screws.... they actually looked perfect.

I used a Motorad thermostat and gasket. The original bolts got cleaned with brake cleaner, and I applied some anti-seize, and reinstalled at about 13.something NM.... I didn't have my glasses on so reading the small chrome numbers was difficult. My goal was to reduce the 17NM by about 20% because of the ant-seize. I topped the coolant off with distilled water.... it's getting drained in a day or two when I do the timing-belt/pump, so I didn't want to waste anti-freeze. It won't get cold enough to hurt.

MUCH better heat, and the IR gun shows 180+ at the thermostat housing, after my trip to get coffee, brake cleaner, and oil. I decided to get 5w40 Rotella T6.

I think I'm going to do rear pads next.... somethins squealing somewhere.

[454cid]

I lied.... I didn't touch the brakes. That would have been done in my uncles garage, and since it was a sunny day out, I decided to change the spark plugs in my driveway.

It had Volvo plugs, but I don't think they're original. They were those weirdo plugs with 4 negative electrodes. The threads were slightly rusty, and they sounded a bit scratchy coming out. I used anti-seize on the new NGK BKR6EGP stock No. 7092, gap adjusted by me to .028", and torqued to 15lbft.

I didn't buy wires, I re-used what I believe are the originals. They're the Volvo/Bouwhatever brand. I used a acid brush to reach down on the plug wells and applied some dielectric grease to the ceramic insulators before snapping the wires back in place.

I brought the cover in the house to clean it up...it bugs me every time I look at it.

Tomorrow, I'll take a look and see if I have a HVAC filter and/or the frame to fit one.

It looks to me the both the ATF and PS fluid are low. The owners manual specs Dexron for the transmission, but isn't this an Aisan that takes something different? I've noticed the shift to second seems a bit harsh to me. I am used to GM automatics, Though, and they're known for being soft shifting, so I'm not sure it's actually a problem.

[Sveedy]

" Bouwhatever " Perfect !

[Sveedy]

Yes they take Dextron.
Did you check the trans doing the multi-shift etc process ? You can't just pull the stick and check like others.

[454cid]

Yes they take Dextron.
Did you check the trans doing the multi-shift etc process ? You can't just pull the stick and check like others.

No, I just pulled the stick while it was idling warmish. I planned on looking up the actual procedure tonight, but wanted to at least get a preliminary look at the stick. I had not even pulled it out prior to this afternoon.

[smoggyama]

Congratulation. If you plan to do all the maintenance and repairs, then you are in for a treat or two, or more. I have a 96 855t and from my experience this is the most logically and practically designed vehicle of it's size and weight. There is more information available than any other car. There may be more Civics and Corollas at large but their owners don't like to write about them. Parts for this car are relatively cheap. Every possible procedure is explained at least once, if not multiple times, so you know what your getting into, how not to damage or confuse parts and order of dismantling and re-manteling. Besides the obligatory stage zero tune (requisite for fuel economy), I found a new windshield, new leather, and good tires (ie. Michelin) are all to bring out what this vehicle has to offer. The automatic trans limits the amount of useful powerI for building. There's an author in Oregon who has a site about this car. He probably has $50,000 into his 850 What he has to say about it and auto design in general is poignant. His name is Benjamin Hoff and writes on remedial Taoism. IPD, FCP Euro, Robert Spinner, this site and a few others..
There is a poll in this forum regarding how much money is spent on parts and labor per year. These are cheap to own , easy to maintain, and great to drive. They are also low key and seemingly invisible to police. Best wishes

[smoggyama]

These cup holders are not designed for beverages.

[454cid]

These cup holders are not designed for beverages.

Yes, I noticed that. Even a 16oz gas station coffee cup is top heavy, since they have so little depth to them. I've only been able to use the cup holder to set the coffee down while parked.

[454cid]

While bolting the engine cover on today, I noticed it can slide around a bit... normal?

I also, do not have a HVAC filter. I do have a plastic frame, but it's not the square shape I need for the filter. I'll have to find one. I did vacuum out the debris from the area, while I was there.

I also aired up my tires. When I picked up the car, the two fronts were too low to drive far, and I only aired them up enough at a gas station to get home. I put 35psi in them.... sticker in the gas door said 36psi, or optionally 32 front 29 (I think) rear. I've never seen optional tire pressures before.

While airing up the tires, I found only the rears are Michelin.... fronts are Dunlop.

This car, must have been detailed by a dealer at some point. Some of the tires have the remains of dressing on them, and the engine cover, and cap have had something thick and amber (like furniture varnish) sprayed on them. My cleaning started to remove it, and there are areas where it was too thick, and looks kind of melted.

[BlackBart]

Cabin air filters

https://www.ipdusa.com/Catalog/Index?se ... r%20filter