What all should be done to a high-mileage 1996 850 Turbo?

robocam · Post by **robocam** » 14 May 2012, 20:45

We've had our 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo since new, so I decided to do some work on it. This all started with the alternator going bad, and then I discovered that the oil cooler line(s) were leaking, and then I read that the PCV system should be replaced (and the PTC cleaned). At first I was overwhelmed by how much I had to do, but I think I've got the alternator and oil lines under control, so I'm going to try to tackle the PCV system.

Is there anything else I should do to a high-mileage 850 Turbo? Should the spark plug wires, ignition cable, distributor cap and distributor arm be replaced, or should I wait until the engine does funny things?

Thanks in advance.

Post by **rspi** » 14 May 2012, 21:12

LOL, everything the owners manual tells you to do. There is a maintenance chart in the manual. If wires have more than 100,000 or 10 years on them, change them. Plugs every 30k, Cap, rotor, with wires. OMG!!! Timing belt and worn rollers.

Volvo owners manual: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/own ... html#maint

Other link: http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850- ... v70s-9266/

Post by **erikv11** » 14 May 2012, 21:53

God job on the alternator and now the PCV. I agree read the manual for a sense of things but if they are original then for sure change the timing components and cap, rotor and wires. Fuel filter and air filter. Then you start getting into "fix it when they break or wear out" items.

What is the current mileage?

robocam · Post by **robocam** » 15 May 2012, 02:29

LOL, I meant in addition to the normal maintenance items. For example, the PCV replacement is unique to these cars or the battery cable replacement. I was just wondering if there were any other things that typically need replacement in high-mileage 850s. I didn't notice anything about the cap and rotor in the 1st link. Would it be ok to hold off on the ignition parts until the check engine light turns on? Rollers? I'll have to do a search on that one. Sounds complicated. Thanks.

rspi wrote:LOL, everything the owners manual tells you to do. There is a maintenance chart in the manual. If wires have more than 100,000 or 10 years on them, change them. Plugs every 30k, Cap, rotor, with wires. OMG!!! Timing belt and worn rollers.

Volvo owners manual: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/own ... html#maint

Other link: http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850- ... v70s-9266/

robocam · Post by **robocam** » 15 May 2012, 02:37

Thanks. I have no idea what the mileage is since the odometer hasn't been working for several years. I plan to see if the gear is broken. I noticed that this is another common failure. I wonder if I can get the mileage with this circuit.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28138

ABS doesn't work either. I plan to send it to this guy.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/

erikv11 wrote:God job on the alternator and now the PCV. I agree read the manual for a sense of things but if they are original then for sure change the timing components and cap, rotor and wires. Fuel filter and air filter. Then you start getting into "fix it when they break or wear out" items.

What is the current mileage?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 15 May 2012, 02:58

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Definitely a DYI Transmission Flush. Currently last Post on second page. Don't wait but be proactive on that one even though it is suppose to be a beefy transmission.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 0&start=14

Blessings,
BKM
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Post by **MoVolvos** » 15 May 2012, 03:06

robocam wrote:Rollers? I'll have to do a search on that one. Sounds complicated. Thanks.

rspi wrote:LOL, everything the owners manual tells you to do. There is a maintenance chart in the manual. If wires have more than 100,000 or 10 years on them, change them. Plugs every 30k, Cap, rotor, with wires. OMG!!! Timing belt and worn rollers.

Volvo owners manual: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/own ... html#maint

Other link: http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850- ... v70s-9266/

Rollers is part of the Timing Belt job. In my own opinion Plugs for sure Inspect cap, rotor, wires and replace if needed. I go for these if you plan on keeping your car for awhile. Useful and last word on Plug Wire as it pulls the wool off and dispel all the myths out there on Plug Wires.

http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/main.htm

Blessings,
BKM
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Post by **erikv11** » 15 May 2012, 08:59

For a 96, the only way to get the mileage is from a dealer or shop with the Volvo Scan Tool, who knows what they are doing or who is willing to follow instructions. See the post by jimmy57 in this thread: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=43723

For plug wires go with Bougicord. Your Volvo wires will have a date code stamped on them, if you want to chedck how old they are. I agree you can usually let the wires go a long time, good advice from BKM. A new cap and rotor and new plugs will make a huge difference (performance, fuel economy) if they are original but sure, in principle you can leave them alone if the car is not misfiring.

"Rollers" refers to the two pulleys in the timing belt path. You don't want to ignore the timing belt schedule, it is literally a time bomb. If the timing belt goes (usually it is the rollers, not the belt itself) then the engine is basically done (bent valves etc).

For ABS Victor Rocha will do it right but would not be my first choice. MattyMoo is the go to guy for those modules, PM him here on MVS or go to his web site https://www.midwest-abs.com/. Great service, great quality work, extremely helpful, and just a couple states away from you.