Herman and Operation 30MPG

[callahanoffroad]

Well, long story short I've transferred from my old white 96 850 wagon to a green 95 sedan. I've suitably named him Herman after Herman Munster, because he is mostly built out of the parts that came off my old 96. These were both non turbo btw. I thought it might be fun to start a thread about Herman and the repairs I've had to do to get him back up and running.

So far he's gotten:
new plugs,
wires,
cap,
rotor,
ignition coil,
brakes,
shocks,
struts,
sway bar end links,
dash pad,
pcv,
air filter,
poly upper and lower torque mounts,
right hub,
radiator,
radiator hoses,
will be getting his new heater core installed next week weather permitting,
shimmed the AC,
new ebrake cables,
timing belt,
water pump,
...and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting.

Most recently I did my PCV job, and during which I cleaned the MAF, fuel injectors, reran the vacuum lines with fresh hose, and replaced all the fuel injector seals. That PCV job is aweful for someone like me who has big hamfists. So I recruited my wife to help! Hahaha.

During that job I uncovered two new issues: the air intake thermostat is stuck on hot air, and that the car is equipped with VVIS. Yes, an American spec 1995 is equipped with VVIS. It is definitely stock. I have pics to prove it too. Hahaha.

So thermostat is now wedged into cold mode. And now I'm going to make sure that the VVIS system is actually functional.

Opening that cold air flap made a huge improvement in power and driveability. Now my car likes to cruise at 85 on the highway like my old wagon!

So I've put so much time and effort into fixing him, I think I'm just going to keep going and finish restoring him.

About Herman
1995 Volvo 850 Base, manual.
Green
185,000 miles presently
Vvis equipped.
Has no EGR and no SAS system
I run 10w-40 oil in it like I did in my previous 850.
Always run 93 octane (premium) and buy it from QuikTrip here in St. Louis (midwestern united states)

I'm going to take a look at the computer and see if he is running an LH 3.2 or a M4.2/3(?) system

He sat for two or three years when I got him so I've had to do a large amount of rubber replacement lol.

So why operation 30mpg?
It is multifold,
1: I see other guys getting 30+ MPG, so I gotta compete right?
2: I drive my car for a living so more MPG = more $ in my pocket every month.

What am I getting now? 22mpg. All the time, day or night, highway and city. So any suggestions as to where to start digging for those extra MPG? I delivery drive pizzas and we now have speed tracking software so I cant drive it hard even if I wanted to.

I remember on my old Civic that replacing the intake and exhaust systems with a more free flowing setup netted me a few extra MPG.

Maybe some weight reduction? Aero work? Talk sexy to him until he operates more effectively???? Hahaha

Edit: I have uploaded some photos for everyone's benefit.

Upcoming repairs: Heater Core, Thermostat, clearcoat on the passenger side fender, trouble shooting the PCV system.

[Rattnalle]

My 95 sedan with the 170 HP NA manual did 27 mpg City and highway and 33 mpg on country roads. I drove it for work as well doing 30-60 miles a day mostly in the city so I had some data and consumption was always the same. Didn't matter if it had summer or studded tyres on. It could easily use a lot more though so driving style did a large part.

Other than that it wasn't in perfect shape, 200+ k miles, i barely even changed the oil at the in Sweden recommended 9k mi intervals. Nothing special done to it. It did have the OE rear spoiler though if that's it

[abscate]

Ill trust you, but need to verify a 1995 with VVIS - of course, you might want to check engine number to see if someone has put a 93-94 engine into your 95

Get her some nitrile gloves for working - you will both be happier without grunge under nails! You can get the nice purple ones for style


...and welcome to the 5 speed club - making Matt crazy green since 2013

[callahanoffroad]

Haha thanks guys!

Engine s/n 442047

I honestly couldn't believe it. But low and behold there it is.

My wagon was actually a 5-speed too. Don't much care for autos.

I invited any wisdom you gurus of gear can shead on my marvelous mystery engine haha.

[Rattnalle]

I'm pretty sure my -95 GLT (GLT was never anything but the 170 hk NA in Sweden) had it as well. It has the little pressure thingie and the linkage at least.

They did change the engine several times over the years without changing the name of it. The -92s over here had different cams and a different exhaust as well with a sportier sound and power delivery. It wasn't very popular with Swedish buyers of old more beige and dull Volvos though so they slowly made it less fun each year.

[tryingbe]

Winter is hurting your MPG.

Drive slower, leave large space between you and the car in front of you, and steady throttle will net your more MPG

[Rattnalle]

Winter is hurting your MPG.

It shouldn't though, not that much. Not if you drive the car so that it's warm for most of the time it's used and don't just start it from cold loads of times and go only a short distance.

[tryingbe]

Winter is hurting your MPG.

It shouldn't though, not that much.

By winter I mean both weather and gas blend.

[Rattnalle]

Winter is hurting your MPG.

It shouldn't though, not that much.

By winter I mean both both weather and gas blend.

Fair enough, we have the same blend year round so I can't really relate.

[callahanoffroad]

Well on my other 850 the winter blend would drop it about 2mpg, but this has been consistent since July when I bought the car.