'91 940 Turbo - Loving it!

[M Jarve]

Hi all!

This last weekend I picked up my new (to me anyway) 1991 940 Turbo. This is not my first Volvo, but it is the best, so far. Before this I had a 1985 740GLE, which I was going to restore, but I sold it before I did too much work on it. But I've always wanted another rear-wheel drive Volvo. Recently my 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi went back to the shop again, for the intake plenum gasket, again and this was my excuse to get a second car. I saw a good price on this 940 Turbo and bought it.

I am the third owner of this particular 940, and it has just north of 194,000 miles on it. The engine was originally replaced at 40,000 miles, and last fall there was a ton of work done to it, more or less replacing the entire intake and exhaust system. New head, cam, valves, valve cover, oil pan, gaskets (oil and head), intake, intercooler, water pump, turbo, exhaust header, radiator, injectors, timing belt, and all new air and cooling hoses - little less than a complete engine rebuild less than 5,000 miles ago. And to top it all, it has always been dealer serviced, down to the Volvo spark-plug cables and oil filter.

The engine purrs like a a kitten and growls when provoked. Mechanically, it seems perfect. The transmission shifts very solid, engine response is immediate, and it leaks no fluid at all. Hasn't lost a drop of oil in the 500 or so miles I have driven it.

I have had no problems with it, but I do have a couple of concerns.

First, the check engine light is on. I used the procedures on this site to pull up a 413 code, which is EGR temp sensor signal failure. It does not seem to affect anything, but it is troubling anyway. Should I just "black tape" it, or really have it looked at?

Second concern is the headliner. Like my 740, this 940 has the head liner drooping in the back. Apparently Volvo used a foam rubber that dry rots easily. What is the best way to tack it back up?


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I've driven the car about 500 miles so far, and it has more than impressed me. It seems to have more "get-up" than the Bonne does, and seems more sure footed and solid. The seats and layout of the 940 are also more comfortable for me. Where the Volvo lags is in over all room and quietness. It also does not have as many trivial "gee-whiz" features, like the HUD and in-dash StarWars compass. Then again, the Bonneville does not have the understated elegance and utilitarian looks of the 940.

I'm keeping the Bonneville, but I think the 940 will be come my everyday car. It's just more fun to drive.

[petershen1984]

Hey, congratulations on your purchase! The only thing I could relate to in your post, however, is the headliner -- I don't think there's any getting around redoing the headliner (a job that, I heard, costs about USD 150 in the states..)

anyway. I sure wish I could get my hands on the most reformed 960...

[petershen1984]

What's the top speed and maximum rpm to which you've pushed your 940 turbo?

[petershen1984]

Hey man... my 740 is being retired too, and I'm acquiring the Volvo 960 inline-6 from 1991.