Volvo 850 GLE Wagon

"BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest." (bmanultima) 03/29/2015 at 14:40 • Filed to: None

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What do you guys think of this car?

Nice Price?

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twochevrons > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 03/29/2015 at 15:23

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Looks like a clean car – I'd call that price reasonable if it's mechanically in good shape.

The 850 is generally pretty sturdy, but it isn't as completely bulletproof as the old RWD Volvos. They don't take kindly to neglect, but if well looked-after, they're great cars, if somewhat dull in the driving-dynamics department. I have an 850R wagon that I absolutely love, but they're not without their weaknesses.

Things to watch out for:

PCV/Crankcase breather system. The whiteblock engine has a crazy-complicated system that tends to clog up, especially in cold climates or if the oil isn't changed frequently. It's a pain to service, requiring removal of the intake manifold (and if it's really bad and the drain channel in the block has clogged up, you might have to drop the oil pan to clear it). Check for a clogged PCV system by pulling the dipstick while the engine is warmed-up and idling. If there are puffs of smoke, the PCV system isn't up to scratch.

Oil leaks. If the PCV system is badly clogged, crankcase pressure will force oil past the seals and cause leaks. If left long enough, the seals will be permanently damaged and will keep leaking after the PCV system is repaired.

Head gasket. The engine is all-alloy, and prone to warped heads and failed head gaskets if it overheats. Ask about coolant consumption, and check for evidence of oil in the coolant or vice versa.

Valve stem seals. I've just had this happen on mine at 214,000 miles. If they're beginning to go, you'll get a small puff of blue smoke when starting from cold. If they're really bad, you'll get smoke if you rev the engine after idling for a few minutes. I wouldn't worry too much unless they're really bad – it isn't a pleasant job, but they can be replaced with the head in-place – but it's worth thinking about if you're considering the car as a long-term prospect.

Door check straps. These can break, resulting in a nasty clunking, creaking sound as the door is opened. If they're left in this state, they can damage their mounting points on the pillar, which is a pain to repair.

Heater core. The end tanks on the heater core can separate from the core, and start to leak. The heater core itself is dead easy to replace (it's accessible through the footwell), but it's less fun to try and get all the coolant out of the carpet underlay if it's been leaking for a while. Check for damp carpets, or a sweet smell (and possibly steam) coming from the vents when the heater is on.

A/C. The evaporator tends to develop pinhole leaks, and is NOT as easy to get to as the heater core, requiring complete removal of the dashboard. However, nonfunctional A/C could also be caused by a slipping compressor clutch, which is a much easier repair. If you hear a noise from the compressor when you turn the A/C on, but get no cooling, it's probably that.

boxrocket > twochevrons 03/29/2015 at 20:32

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Listing is inaccurate, as the 700/900 and 200-series were the last RWD Volvos, and the 850s were their first FWD offerings. Trailer hitch raises some alarm bells.

twochevrons > boxrocket 03/29/2015 at 21:55

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Heh, missed that bit. If only my 850R were RWD. It'd be much more fun.