In need of some advice regarding a plan for repairing my 1995 850 Turbo Wagon (140,000 miles). I’m wondering if this is too much work to put into this car. As an FYI, I have never worked on a Volvo before, and really have most of my mech. by working on some old Honda motorcycles. I’ve had the car a week and have noticed the following:

Blue smoke coming from the exhaust during idle (very recent)
Creaking and occasional popping when cranking the wheel right or left
Some intermittent knocking under the driver’s side when accelerating
Sluggish acceleration, possible poor fuel economyFuel odor

That said, I took the car to a shop (Metro DC area; on a friend’s and fellow Volvo owner’s recommendation) to get a pre-inspection evaluation and here is what they identified, along with their price for each repair:

Misfire codes. Also codes for front and rear O2 sensors ($692)
Needs Cat. Converter ($860)
Needs upper engine mount ($174)L/F headlight lens has hole ($168)
Transmission flush ($183)L/S Rear upper light housing broken ($157)
Rear hangar broken off of exhaust. Needs to be reattached, possibly needs muffler assembly ($380)
L/F hub is loose – maybe axle nut loose or could be need bearing hub assembly ($383)
Oil Cooler lines leaking ($646)
Total: $3,643

Now, here are some questions I’m hoping you all with more experience can answer:
Are any of these prices reasonable to get the work done? At first glance at the estimate, I laughed out of surprise. I am not concerned with lens’ or light housing, but rather the bigger and more foreboding-sounding jobs (catalytic converter, oil leaks, etc). I shopped for prices on the parts listed above, and found that it can all be had for under $800.

Do I dare attempt to fix these problems on my own? I am not too concerned about the time investment, but I would like to know, with my experience level, if I am biting off more than I can chew.

If I decide not to cut and run, where do I start? Are there likely culprits that I can identify and maybe fix without having to buy new parts? I’m stoked to work on this car, but I guess could use some direction on my next steps. Thanks for taking the time to check this out. I’ll definitely provide more information if there are any unclear areas.

 

Leave the cat alone for now. Does it rattle? If not leave it alone for now.
The majority of the work is pretty easy.
Check the hub and oil cooler lines first start there. The upper mount should be done somewhat soon but check others first. Also search and check the upper spring seats. Anything you need help with we can help no problem here.

 

I got clarification from the shop on the cat. converter. Turns out there is not one even on the car (I guess when they wrote, "
Needs cat. converter" on my estimate, they meant it literally). Apparently someone welded a muffler in its place. So, I'll need to buy that part. What's the typical way to have it installed? Bring it to a muffler shop for welding?

 

That would be the best way unless you want to spend over 1k for a Volvo cat. Check some sites they might sell one that bolts in unless they really screwed up the connections.(Factory)

 

Wouldn't the lack of a cat trigger codes for both O2 sensors, or at least the rear O2 sensor which comes after the cat?

The knock under acceleration sounds like bad engine mounts.

A tune up (plugs, rotor, cap, and possibly wires) seems to be necessary too.

 

Tune up will definitely happen.

So you're suggesting I install a new cat before replacing the O2 sensors?

 

Maybe have an exhaust shop look at and see if it is just an aftermarket cat. Also if they have the equiptment have the check the exhaust gasses coming out of the back.

 

Excellent. Thanks!

 

Let us know how it goes.