My 'new' daily driver

[paddlenbike]

I just picked up a new project. It's a 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo. 129,000 miles, 222 hp inline-5 cyl, auto trans (fine since it's a commuter). Paid $1,000.

Today I started by detailing it. It has some cosmetic issues but it cleaned up much more than I was expecting.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TAZx0UiuKX0/TulGc5CYAFI/AAAAAAAAGag/O_OG5ymhDRA/s800/DSC_0861r.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hEIJouC9I0Y/TulGdbKuiMI/AAAAAAAAGak/1B6nEUvR0Rs/s800/DSC_0863r.jpg

It runs good but after three failed California smog tests by the previous owner, she gave up on it. It passes everything except it's 39 points too high at 25mph on the Hydrocarbon test. This car has a PCV catch can system and they tend to clog, so I'm told that cleaning this up as well as a complete EGR cleaning may get me the 39 points I need to pass. If not that then a cat should do it.

It's reasonably clean outside, inside needs some work. Leather is in bad shape, dash needs some help. Nothing out of sorts for the price I paid. Everything works, power windows, moonroof, mirrors, power seats, even the Volvo 10 disc changer in the trunk and the power antenna work. Tires are brand new.

I didn't buy it to save gas, I bought it to save wear and tear on the 4Runner. I do a lot of short trips and have to leave the 4Runner in places that make me nervous, so that's where this car comes in. It happens to be fun to drive too. :)

[DHC6twinotter]

Nice! Volvos have really been sparking my interest lately. Your's looks great! I like the wheels. $1000 is a steal, I think.

Back when I went to school, there was a Volvo club that met in the parking lot every Saturday. They had some really cool old-school Volvos. One, in particular, was a 2 door coupe with a massive turbo on it. It sounded awesome.

I've been really eyeing the C30 lately.

[paddlenbike]

I know of plenty of Volvos with over 200k that still drive very nicely. Hopefully this one does the same for me.

I found a Volvo 850 promotional video online where Volvo itself interviewed a bunch of people and asked them to mention a few words that they think best characterize Volvo cars and most people responded "safe, slow and boxy." Then Volvo mentioned how they wanted to get away from the latter two, so they added lots of horsepower and created "swoopy new styling." Guess what, it's still perfectly square, all the way around, LOL.

[CJM]

My buddy had one of those, non turbo iirc. It was ok pretty much and got great mpg.

[paddlenbike]

Found this:

"Based on a controlled test by Motor Trend magazine of the 16 fastest cars under $50,000 sold in North America, the turbocharged Volvo 850 was the eighth quickest.

Its top speed was 152 miles per hour. That not only makes it the fastest station wagon sold in North America, but maybe the fastest sold anywhere as a mass-production vehicle.

In addition, the seven cars that were faster were two or four passenger sports cars. And with the exception of the Mazda RX-7's turbo twin-rotary engine, all were six or eight-cylinder powerplants that were bigger than the 850's 2.3-liter five-cylinder engine.

The engine is an in-line 5 that carries twin-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The 2.3-liter engine is actually 2,319 cubic centimeters, or 141.4-cubic inches, not exactly monster size when compared to the 350-cubic inch V-8s the wagon was up against.

Volvo rates the engine at 222-horsepower. According to Lamon, a limited-edition T5R model is rated at 240-horsepower, "and by making a little change in a (computer) chip it goes to 270 (horsepower)."

For all its power, the engine demonstrates a relatively flat torque curve, with the acceleration coming on from as low as 2,000 rpm engine speed. That's not a whole lot above idling speed, so the wagon will lean you against the back of the seats when leaving a stop light.

While the Turbo Wagon is a bonafide fire breather, driving the thing in a normal manner is just as simple as driving an economy car."

http://www.cars.com/volvo/850/1995/expert-reviews/?revid=31802

[paddlenbike]

It runs good but after three failed California smog tests by the previous owner, she gave up on it. It passes everything except it's 39 points too high at 25mph on the Hydrocarbon test. This car has a PCV catch can system and they tend to clog, so I'm told that cleaning this up as well as a complete EGR cleaning may get me the 39 points I need to pass. If not that then a cat should do it.


I think I have the emissions problem figured out. The day I met the vehicle owner to take a look at the car I noticed a single vacuum line that had come loose in the engine bay. I didn't think much of it. Last night I opened the hood on the Volvo to figure out how accessible (or not) the EGR valve is and discovered right away the disconnected vacuum line I had previously noticed went to the EGR valve itself. I still plan to do a complete PCV system cleaning and clean the EGR valve, but it is highly likely that simply plugging in the EGR will get me the 39 points I need to pass NOx.

[paddlenbike]

This car is a 1995 model year so it is not subject to OBDII emissions tests however it does have a fully functioning OBDII port. I plugged in my scantool and not surprisingly I found a P0400 code stored in the ECU related to a malfunctioning EGR. You may recall I discovered that the EGR vacuum diaphragm was completely unplugged. I fixed the issue and have since put 260 miles on the car. I connected the scantool again and there are no codes stored in the ECU. Cool beans.

I pulled the car out of service over the holidays to address a few aesthetics issues. Like the 4Runner, the powdercoated roof rails were peeling like crazy. I masked the car off and hit them with Plasti-Dip.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rhTH5k_iIug/Tvn9a2iTGEI/AAAAAAAAGco/hdE9t6leIYI/s640/IMAG0890.jpg

The dashboard has a few issues. Some of the instrument lights were burned out and the dashpad has separated from the supporting structure. I am hoping that gorilla glue will come to the rescue here, but we shall see. The passenger side airbag had to come out with the dashpad...even with the battery disconnected and the airbag unplugged from its harness, I was still nervous messing with it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k76P-DKmVpY/Tvn9bptrF0I/AAAAAAAAGcw/LuHpdJKfdyM/s640/IMAG0893.jpg

I am attempting to [inexpensively] fix the most obvious aesthetics problems. What can't be fixed is the fact that it will always be a mid-90s square white mundane Volvo sedan.

[4x4mike]

Can I go for a ride with 2 giant big gulps in those glove box cup holders?

[paddlenbike]

Can I go for a ride with 2 giant big gulps in those glove box cup holders?


No.

Those things are just silly. It's a car, not a Boeing 747.

[Seanz0rz]

you say it's a boring mundane car, but that thing is sexy to me. something about the evolution of their standard box (box with round edges) puts it as one of the coolest designs of the era. while honda and toyota were producing bulbous, round monstrosities, this has a crispness that is only found on few cars from the era.

good luck putting the dash back together. if you can, get some double sided foam tape to put down where it will fit and not disturb the dash, but hold it against squeeks.

[paddlenbike]

I make fun of it but I do actually like square cars.

Here are a couple of 850Rs with the nicer wheel/tire package:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vLgT9pEp_vo/Tvoa-SFvDrI/AAAAAAAAGc4/fe7YEHKoCtE/s640/850.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQpw_vPbkgA/Tvoa-yYNU4I/AAAAAAAAGdA/jSak12yeBiQ/s640/volvo-850r-850-r-005.jpg

Given the choice between square and round like this:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n5IZ83PqbC8/TvDx-GHrFZI/AAAAAAAAGbg/KDa0yyXn0cU/s800/taurus.jpg
I'll take square! (Check out that rear window, it's almost a circle.)

[Bob98SR5]

ken,

GREAT deal and find! i'm going ot let you buy my next used car and i'll kick a commission down for ya :)

i was always envious of my classmates back in the days who had volvo turbos. always liked them. i dont know if it will be the same as my biodiesel mercedes, but replacing every single vac tube seemed to help. if they are secured by hose clamps, make sure they are clamped down. Also, if you see any T-junctions that are made with plastic, replace them. often times they're broken and cause weird vac problems. I liked that mercedes used plastic tubing inserted into common rubber hose pieces that you secured w/ hose clamps. Was a pain to fit, but you only do it once and you know its leak proof.

try leatherique for the leather seats. the shizzle really works.

[paddlenbike]

This car has that style vacuum lines as well. It seems much more durable than straight rubber, not to mention they can be routed inside wiring looms because they are a fraction of the size.
Thanks for the tips, I will inspect the lines when I do the pcv and egr cleaning.

The car is quite fun to drive even though its an auto.

[some_odd_girl]

Volvos are hardy cars! Not only are they really good at protecting passengers in an accident, but they're really good at getting to high mileage. Where do you live? I know there's a guy in Atascadero who specializes in Volvos.

[paddlenbike]

I am my mechanic, but thanks! And I agree, this thing is a tank. Weighs almost as much as the 4runner.

[paddlenbike]

Made a few recent improvements.
-fixed a malfunctioning brake light switch
-replaced the burned out instrument lights (Volvo can't make bulbs to save their lives)
-replaced the burned out switch illumination (Volvo can't make bulbs to save their lives)
-replaced burned out corner marker lights/license plate lights (Volvo can't make bulbs to save their lives)
-replaced trunk struts (a Volvo trunk lid is so thick and heavy you can't open it without the gas assist!)
-leather lotioned the seats (front seats need new skins though)
-cleaned door jams and started engine compartment cleanup
-fixed broken ECU lid and replaced ECU vent tube
-stripped roof rails and coated with Plasti-Dip

Half of the instrument and switch lights were non-op:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N0GQxjqP0LI/TvLTFgMBfVI/AAAAAAAAGcI/Sz4s3CYa1I8/s640/need_bulbs.jpg

After re-bulbing the lamps. Bulbs are $14/ea at the dealership or can be re-lamped with RadioShack parts for $1 each.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IQ_JGyHqt_Q/TwvjvobCq_I/AAAAAAAAGds/lgypl4eI2tA/s640/DSC_0057.JPG

So far this car has performed flawlessly on the jackstands it has sat on since purchase. That's a slight exaggeration, although it does happen to be on jackstands at the moment undergoing a CV boot repair. :wrenchin:

[paddlenbike]

I finally managed to finish the big repairs that this car needed.

Replaced a bad driver's side CV joint boot:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wdbEeVaOtuQ/TvLTF1MHl0I/AAAAAAAAGcM/AFUGzm98wAo/s400/bad_cv_boot.jpg

And I replaced the entire Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. PCV systems collect crankcase gases (along with oil) and routes both back to the intake, which is why you constantly get a gunked up throttle body. This car has an oil separator in-between so the oil collects in the can and is routed back to the oil pan while the vapor only is introduced back into the intake. I had installed a similar aftermarket system on my turbo Supra and even though it helped emissions, it had to be removed prior to smogging because it was considered "tampering with the emissions system." Turns out this car has it from the factory, however oil can coke in the can and partially block PCV flow. This results in oil venting out of the oil dipstick, which was starting to occur on this car. Best course of action is to replace the entire system.

Here is what the system looks like:
http://bagodoosh.home.comcast.net/PCV.gif

1.Oil trap
2.Cylinder head inlet hose
3.Cylinder block inlet hose
4.Oil pan return connector
5.Crankcase ventilation hose
6.Turbo-one way valve
7.Vacuum hose

The oil separator is the black box to the left of center, conveniently located under the intake manifold in an abyss of hoses:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uMxcDpcHbgM/TylzX4tVAVI/AAAAAAAAGkg/U0LgdODC8HM/s640/IMG_4192.JPG

The battery, airbox, sparkplug cover, intercooling plumbing and intake manifold must be removed, but luckily you just have to disconnect the fuel supply and return lines and swing the entire assembly aside with everything still connected.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zPEqe8F3tcU/TylzAr8edOI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/W8nZksQZGUY/s640/IMG_4186.JPG

The intake valves were surprisingly clean, only the intake valves on cylinder 1 had junk on them, and that's because cylinder 1 is the path of least resistance for PCV vapor drawn in by engine vacuum.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZhEfCk16GOk/TylxeR4GlyI/AAAAAAAAGkI/hn3IHY0dyU4/s640/IMG_4174.JPG

What's really fun is doing this job twice. I was told by Volvo forum members that aftermarket hoses were garbage and to use OEM Volvo hoses, so I did. As it turns out, the non-OEM oil separator had a defect--the lid was not properly sealed, so as soon as the turbo boost would come in, oil vapor under pressure was spraying everywhere in the engine bay. That meant going to the dealership and buying an OEM part and doing the job all over again.

Failed non-OEM oil separator and oil mess:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gZy0HSIEHBc/Tylu8m8VANI/AAAAAAAAGkA/4oEbpENj3ew/s640/IMG_4187.JPG

While I was in there I cleaned 18 years of grease off the engine, now it's looking fairly good. Sparkplug cover could use some paint.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c7wOkgmTLng/Tylzf6vvccI/AAAAAAAAGko/P0WpBg27b9I/s640/IMG_4195.JPG

Overall, this car is pretty reasonable to work on for a front wheel drive car, despite having 5 cylinders and a turbo in there. I must say, the electrical connectors are way easier to use than on Toyota products but the German style oetiker hose clamps take some getting used to.

[paddlenbike]

I did a little work on the commuter car this weekend. I think the previous owner used the rear spoiler as their kitchen cutting board. There was a sizable dent in the trunk lid below the license plate as well.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NJPa48bvSxc/T3kspceSY7I/AAAAAAAAGq8/HD4p5aNFzVg/s640/old_trunk.jpg

I came across a pristine white trunk lid and spoiler combination for $150, so I bought it. The cost to repair both items on my car would have far exceeded this price. I probably would not have spent the money but if I were to sell the car, its value is much higher now with a straight body.

Junk in my trunk; and that junk was a trunk:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_L0GSm3kVy8/T3kqwWE6teI/AAAAAAAAGqY/4AwbfvqFioM/s640/IMAG1068.jpg

Saw a nice 850 while I was picking up my parts:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7gLlhIoseys/T3kuuHrBmYI/AAAAAAAAGsI/GerDJPd4o7g/s640/IMAG1067.jpg

The trunk lid was straight forward to replace, it just took a bit of time to get it aligned correctly. Here I cut double-sided tape to fit the mounting points on the new spoiler:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4sHiy74qrQI/T3kq9UtiHqI/AAAAAAAAGqg/H2F7jWNdALk/s640/IMAG1074.jpg
The spoiler mounts with double sided tape and a bracket on each side of the spoiler that clamps to the trunk lid. Luckily no holes need to be drilled. The spoiler adds at least 10 horsepower.

The trunk lid and spoiler came from two separate cars and this particular trunk lid had no spoiler, so I had to carefully measure my old trunk for proper spoiler placement. I marked the trunk for proper placement, then attached it.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5zNeWTDNHU/T3kq-o_YXxI/AAAAAAAAGqo/Y1yTMcnRJwA/s640/IMAG1075.jpg

And here's the result, a pristine trunk lid and spoiler combination.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PG-LgwshgsY/T3ktW1-UD5I/AAAAAAAAGrU/m8pKLkJ0K7o/s640/DSC_0068.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pIDkXDw_6k4/T3kuelEsSDI/AAAAAAAAGro/FsAE1T6x59g/s640/DSC_0069.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rd8nuNVhVts/T3kuf95QH5I/AAAAAAAAGrw/uTiFhTlyw80/s640/DSC_0071.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HhCMs5lRw7M/T3kuge_dnTI/AAAAAAAAGr4/Wm5U_lAhq2E/s640/DSC_0074.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rPTp6P4hlJk/T3kuhJF5ZwI/AAAAAAAAGsA/R5_s0bQ6bzY/s640/DSC_0076.jpg

I need to stop improving this car because I really don't want to care about it.

[4x4mike]

If caring about it will be a problem I can fix that for you. Bill does have first dibs but I'm fine with that.

I think your next $150 mod should be some window tinting.
You next $1 mod should be mounting your old spoiler on top of your new one.

[paddlenbike]

A double spoiler had not crossed my mind. Too bad it's cut in half and in the trash.

Tint would be nice, but I'm too cheap.

[4x4mike]

Hadn't crossed your mind? Are you feeling okay?

Being cut in half isn't a biggie as it would a custom install anyway.

[paddlenbike]

Keep it up Mike, I know where your rig is parked.

[YotaFun]

Yeah, I cared about my DD so much that I hit a street sign with it...

But it got updated sport edition lights and fog lights!

I looks good, you should keep it up, it always nice to play a little with the DD, after all it has to be something you enjoy driving, so you have to do SOMETHING to it.

[4x4mike]

Keep it up Mike, I know where your rig is parked.


I too know where to find your junk. I also know when your trash day is. I might acquire me a spoiler for later use. Lucky for you it's already white and will look great on your 4Runner.

[paddlenbike]

Well, the Volvo 850 is no more. I have owned quite a few cars in my day and this one is definitely the worst vehicle I have ever owned. There were constantly things going wrong with this car, I can't even begin to narrow them down to a certain category. Mechanical, electrical and anything held on with glue (like headliners, door panels, etc) all have issues. Keep in mind this car only had 133,000 miles. All you have to do is glance at the Volvo forums and every post is about the car not starting, transmission problems, AC evaporator issues, electrical problems, broken dashboard mounts, etc. By comparison take a look at Ultimateyota and it's mostly sunshine and lollipops--talking about what mod is next or where you went on vacation, not your vehicle's chronic issues.

I had considered selling the car a few weeks ago when several things broke just in one weekend, but the car decided to finish itself-off. The coolant hose that goes to the radiator core blew on the freeway and it lost its coolant. I never saw steam and the coolant temperature gauge never left the normal range. It got so hot it ate at least the headgasket, if not the entire bottom end. I got rid of the car over the weekend, I just had no interest in keeping such a troublesome car. I am so thankful the 4Runner is not only reliable, but even though it's lifted and seen a lot of trail use, it is still quiet and comfortable to drive on long trips--this one is a keeper.