total newbie needs help in fixing 95 volvo

[nitink]

Hi All,
Today i purchased 95 volvo 850, non turbo with 95000 miles.
This was estate sale and owner had expired a while back, the car was not run for more than a year.
While coming back to my home I observed that the car
1) very very slow accleration
2) transmission fluild is little dark.
3) It shakes a lot

I am total newbie in cars, never did anything my self before and I don't even have tools, but i really want to learn about maintaining my car my self. Can you suggest how can i go about fixing the problems mentioned above?

Also can anyone give me recommandations of good and inexpensive volvo repair shop in/around san jose zip code 95123. or if anyone around zip code 95123 can help me understand my 850 better.
Many Thanks

[pfeener]

Start reading... read the repair database and the maintenance database on Volvospeed.com.
Number 1 may just be that it hasn't been driven in awhile. Give it a few hundred miles before you do anything. Number 2 is easy, you can read about how to do it in the repair sections. Number 3 could be lots of things. What speed does the shaking occur? Could just be tires out of balance or low air pressure or could be tie rod ends or ball joints.

[nitink]

Thanks a lot for your reply.
Shaking occurs at 60, its so bad that I felt that car would just blow off.

I have read about transmission service, seems too hard a job to pull out pan etc, I was just thinking of putting in a rubber tube in transmission dipstick and sucking out some oil, will that work?

And I am also wondering if using a fuel injector cleaner (grunk etc) will help in anything.

[95autoturbo]

Fuel injecter cleaner will not hurt......get an oil change right away and do not use a fram oil filter, get a tranny power flush, could moisture in your fuel tank ? I agree drive it for a while and the it could loose the shakes, how is the fuel filter? Congrats on your new Volvo!

[White850Turbo]

If the shake is only occurring at a certain speed range, I'd bet on the wheels needing to be balanced.

[nitink]

>> get an oil change right away and do not use a fram oil filter,

Thanks a tonz guys, I am sure I am gonna enjoy the ride.
The car carries original Fuel filter, it was never replaced I will definately try to change it,
Which oil filter & fuel filter shall I use? buying over web is not an option as I don't have credit card. I was thinking of going to firestone or walmart for oil change ( it cost 13bucks there )

Just now got power flush at local SpeeDee in san jose for 70$. I don't think its shifting as smoothly as before, but could be my guess I have just driven it 75 Miles.

[nitink]

One more thing this car had been serviced by popular mechanix @ San francisco and last oil changed dated 5/19/2003. So its been sitting like this for almost 3 years.

[MadeInJapan]

Change oil for sure...Puralator filter isn't horrible if you have to. We all like Mann....but web isn't an option. See if you can find a Wix filter. Also, gas goes bad after sitting so long. Might be wise to just ditch that tank and go with a fresh tank...definitely change the fuel filter. Bosch is the maker of the Volvo filter. Other than this, just drive it after balancing the tires. Good luck!

[nitink]

Thanks guys here are the things I have done on 850 till now
1) Power flush tranny
2) Oil change
3) right front axel change
4) fuel filter change

Still car is acclerating slowly and gas milage is very poor. I am getting 14mpg on highway and no more than 10mpg in city. I always drive within speed limits.

please help what next to do

[MadeInJapan]

Clean the flame trap...change the spark plugs, rotor and wires. Check to see if any small diameter hoses and the hose's elbow are cracked or leaking. With these, you should see a performance increase as well as better gas milage. Hope this helps.