Picked up my '94 850

volvofornia · Post by **volvofornia** » 27 Dec 2015, 15:32

Hi Forum,

After not having a car for almost 2 years here in LA I decided to go with an 850. I purchased one the other day (more or less without knowing anything about cars) and I unfortunatly got scammed by the seller. When I drove to the smog check (I know now that the seller should do that, sorry I'm foreign so I didn't know about it) the car didn't pass.

Now I started to make the best out of the situation and rescue her and make her shine again. As I said I basically don't have any clue about car mechanics but I fell somehow I found a new hobby. It was also always a dream to understand more about cars and how they really work.

Well, here I'm now and I can't get enough information out of this forum. I love it so far and its good to see that people help each other and the community is so friendly.

Yesterday, I already started to exchange two vacum lines which were broken. Today I want to do the oil and filter change and the next big thing is the PCV which didn't pass the glove test (also here the seller was lying in telling me that it was done recently).

Hope I can give something back at some point.

Best,
Michael

Post by **misha** » 27 Dec 2015, 16:51

Why don't you return it to the seller and have a "nice" chit-chat with him?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Dec 2015, 17:07

What part of the smog test did it fail? With a '94 you typically don't have OBD-II so they must have tail pipe tested it. If you could post up the readings that would help. But first some questions to help narrow things down:

Is the check engine light on?

Does it ever come on when you first put the key in position II?

Is this a turbo or a non turbo? Some of the turbos were OBD-II in '94.

The PCV is fairly straight forward. There are some very good threads in the repair database and another really good one pined at the top of the page.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28487

...Lee

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Dec 2015, 18:55

In CA, the owner of the car can't legally sell a vehicle without passing emission first. I don't know if it is enforce by anyone though.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/smogfaq

Scan the emission sheet paper and let's have a look. I believe you'll get one free re-test.

volvofornia · Post by **volvofornia** » 28 Dec 2015, 01:57

misha wrote:Why don't you return it to the seller and have a "nice" chit-chat with him?

I guess I can't do that anymore cause I bought the vehicle "as-is". I don't know about the rights and regulations in the us but in Germany the buyer - after signing this - is in charge and can't not return the item anymore.

volvofornia · Post by **volvofornia** » 28 Dec 2015, 02:12

Ozark Lee wrote:What part of the smog test did it fail? With a '94 you typically don't have OBD-II so they must have tail pipe tested it.

Well, my model has a OBD2 under the coin cover but the smog testing guy still did the tail pipe test.

I failed in:
- Fuel Evaporate Controls Functional
- OBD System Checks
- Other Emission Related Components

I will upload a photo of the test sheet asap.

Ozark Lee wrote:Is the check engine light on?

No, and it seems that the light never goes on. Maybe to trick me during the test drive?!

Ozark Lee wrote:Does it ever come on when you first put the key in position II?

No, never. Might change the bulb tmw and check what it does.

Ozark Lee wrote:Is this a turbo or a non turbo? Some of the turbos were OBD-II in '94.

It's a turbo.

Ozark Lee wrote:The PCV is fairly straight forward. There are some very good threads in the repair database and another really good one pined at the top of the page.

Just saw that the PCV was passing the test. But after doing the glove test I think I still need to replace it.

Thank you all for having a look. Really appreciate it and it feels good to talk to some nice people who want to support.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Dec 2015, 04:59

Welcome to MVS !

The good news is you are really close on your emissions test, just slightly over max on NOx, which usually is a vacuum leak running lean mixture. Replacing missing vacuum hoses will probably fix that.

It would be good to readout the OBD codes if that plug works

Post by **tryingbe** » 28 Dec 2015, 06:26

I'd fix all the vacuum leaks, make sure an OBD II reader can read the codes from your car and run the car until the catalytic converter is HOT then test. Idle will only cool off the catalytic converter.

volvofornia · Post by **volvofornia** » 28 Dec 2015, 11:04

abscate wrote:Welcome to MVS !

The good news is you are really close on your emissions test, just slightly over max on NOx, which usually is a vacuum leak running lean mixture. Replacing missing vacuum hoses will probably fix that.

It would be good to readout the OBD codes if that plug works

Thank you! At least some good news

Indeed I had two vacuum pipe leaks. One was the vacum line to the fuel pressure regulator, and the other one was the black connector piece which was attached on the same vacuum tree then the first line. I found this overview of the vacumm hoses in the T5. I guess these are all of them?

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... php?t=6941

As I said I'm a complete noob when it comes to fixing/analyse cars. Therefor I just want to double check on my approach on the next steps to get that car up and running.

Next steps:
- check all vacuum hoses (replace if needed)
- check the evap of leaks (it smeels constantly like gas in the car so there might be a leak somewhere - > will open a new thread for this)
- check OBD Codes (Does the OBD1 interface provide me with the same codes?)
- do an oil change to Mobile1 HM 10W40 (incl. oil filter)
--> run another smog check or replace PCV first? (even if the test results of the smog check said it is ok?

Please let me know if that order makes sense so I can start making my hands dirty

All the best!

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 28 Dec 2015, 11:26

Makes a lot of sense.
Also check your IC hoses and replace them. Ideally, they should probably be changed if they're still the originals. Remember that leaks can be hard to see/feel, so pressure check them if you can. If any of your vacuum or IC hoses are mushy, or bulging anywhere near clamps and stuff, change them.

If you have the time, and you're sure it's needed, change your PCV. Don't forget to clean out or replace the PTC as well.

Your OBD I boxes in the engine compartment will give you the same codes as the OBD II interface, or more. In your case, I would be surprised if your can get the car to tell you anything of any use through the OBD II w/o Volvo's own equipment, so stick with the under hood boxes.

- S