Speak to Me of Volvo Wagons....

"Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast." (twostrokesmoke)
08/05/2015 at 19:29 • Filed to: None

What problems should I be on the look out for?

DISCUSSION (26)

jkm7680 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:30

Geography textbooks weighing down the rear suspension.

Howdy Harrell > jkm7680
08/05/2015 at 19:34

Geography Textbooks+ Drums did this to me all the time.

whoarder is tellurium > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:34

Blown turbos and dead interior electronics

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:35

R wagon or No wagon.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:45

electrics (especially seats), flimsy-fucking-ass cup holders.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/05/2015 at 19:47

Engine electrics?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > whoarder is tellurium
08/05/2015 at 19:48

What are the signs of a blown turbo?(never had one, don’t know what to look for.)

Amoore100 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:49

Old ones: electronics

New ones: electronics

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:51

More like accessories and buttons. And seats. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Volvo with working electric seats.

coqui70 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 19:58

The uncontrollable urge to go on a road trip

You will suddenly want a corduroy jacket

Fly-fishing, old book stores and fine pipe tobacco will become new hobbies

There will be no need to buy another car for a looooooong time

If a new V70 turbo you will smile every time you take a corner or press the accelerator - also enjoying the great fuel economy (if the new 4cyl)

If it happens to be a V70 Polestar men will drool (relax it’s not at you) and women will find you oddly intriguing

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Amoore100
08/05/2015 at 20:01

So, that’s what happened to Lucas Electronics!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:05

The number one problem people have with Volvo wagons is not owning one.

Alfalfa > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:08

Electronics, as most people have mentioned. Interior accessory wise rather than engine wise. And that’s less something to look out for and more something to be ready for because it happens to all of them. Aside from that there’s not much, though it does vary a bit depending on what wagon you want specifically.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
08/05/2015 at 20:12

I’m just looking for something good enough to slap a few bikes and outdoor equipment on without worrying about denting/scratching it up.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:19

A friend of mine has an old 240, a sedan but still. His son, not a car guy, was using it as his daily driver and was apparently unaware you ever needed to change the oil. He went something like 13k on conventional oil...car still runs beautiful. That was a few years ago, my friend still uses the thing every day. It’s built like a tank, goes about as fast as a tank, and looks kinda like a tank, but it’s been such a great car.

whoarder is tellurium > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:20

lack of power primarily ... even on low pressure setups. They can hesitate bad, check engine light on, smoking exhaust and burning oil if its bad enough.

Some start to audibly buzz or “gargle” when they build pressure. Should never hear a buzz or vibration.

Amoore100 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:30

I think early Volvos actually were Lucas, but later ones were just...who knows...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/05/2015 at 20:38

The AC is just asthmatic elves coughing on you.

Amoore100 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/05/2015 at 21:24

I must have an anomaly then, as my V50’s AC is the strongest we have, and the AC in the Ody is nothing to sneeze at...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Amoore100
08/05/2015 at 21:26

Out of the 4 we have had, none of them had useful AC. They may have fixed that though, as these were pre-Ford Volvos.

Amoore100 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/05/2015 at 21:33

Ah, makes sense. IIRC our old 740s had awful to no AC as well...doesn’t stop me from wanting them back, however...

coqui70 > coqui70
08/05/2015 at 21:44

Dammit I meant V60 not V70 ... although a V70 Polestar would be a bruiser indeed.

roflcopter > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/05/2015 at 22:06

If your Volvo wagon is new enough to HAVE cupholders, it’s not a real Volvo wagon.

boxrocket > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/09/2015 at 11:57

My 1990 Volvo 760 had both front power seats as functional. So functional, in fact, that the passenger seat would keep moving forward unless one pressed the “STOP” button. The seat heaters worked great.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > boxrocket
08/09/2015 at 12:20

So great, in fact, that the seat melted.

boxrocket > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/09/2015 at 12:20

I’ve had 2 Volvo wagons, an ‘89 740 that I had for less than two months, and a ‘90 760 Turbo that I had for almost 8 years and sold in April. I’m no expert, but I am experienced.

- Flame trap in the PCV system: clean it regularly. The hoses pop right out so it’s less than a 5 minute job. Neglect it and it can lead to a myriad of issues.

- Electrics especially ones closer to heat-soaked areas. Notably the air-mass meter, various relays, etc.

- Transmissions are fairly durable but can be abused, leading to failed seals.

- They’re designed for comfort, so any sporting pretentions should start with chassis/suspension upgrades (strut tower bars, lower chassis braces, sway bars), and of course tires.

- Speaking of suspension, keep an eye on tie rods and ball joints.