Hello,

I have a 1991 740, Intercooler Turbo volvo station wagon with like 230, 000 miles on it. I am not car savvy at all and am trying to figure out the easiest and most cheapiest way to address my car's problems:

1. Brake light is on.
2. Breaks do not sound good.
3. Rear, drivers tail light busted and got ticket!
4. High beams and one headlight noth working anymore.
5. Now, drivers door sometimes does not close.
6. Sometimes hard to lock doors with my key.
7. No tune up for several years.
8. Drivers side mirror fractured
9. Windshield wipers looking weathered.
10. No heat anymore.

My questions:

1. What can I fix by myself as a clueless, zero mechanics brained person? So far,most people are saying I can go buy the lights and install them myself.
2. What must I leave to the mechanic and how much is reasonable to pay?
3. Is my car just having a slow death and I need to start looking for a new car? How long does this model tend to live?

Would be so grateful for any feedback if you own this car, share my experience and what you did, or can relate.

Clueless in California

 

1. Spend $18 on a Haynes Manual the last one is for '82-'88 still good.
2.Brake light is probably on due to low fluid because your brake pads are thin.
3. Get to know your local salvage yards and those on the web for car parts.
4. Get used to using the search function on Volvo Forums- there's gobs of info packed away in these threads.
5. Buy some basic tools- 1/4 & 3/8 socket set, plyers, screwdrivers, volt meter, test light.
6. If you can't find an answer when you search the archives, ASK!
7. This is not the only form on the web, but it is a good one. Good knowledge here. Brickboard has a following of the older cars and a good FAQ for 740's & older. A lot of 740 specific stuff out there.
8. Find a favorite local parts store with help and good prices.
9. Get to know the on-line parts suppliers, their selection and prices.
10. Buy a manual!

Tail lights are three nuts and 5 wires and bulb swaps.
Side mirror is junk yard mirror and some silicone glue.
Wipers- the guys at Auto Zone and Advanced do it for you. just watch and learn. They do batteries too.
My last 2 745's made it to 300,000 miles. Bought them both at 175,000.
Find a mechanic to whom you can ask questions, and compensate them when you can. They cost $70/hour
Have fun!
Ed

 

That is actually a pretty short list. I once had a 740 with over 400,000 miles on it. The car will last as long as you can stand to fix it. At some point the repairs exceed the value.

I recently purchased a '98 S90 for $500. The list of repairs was simular except it also had a bad water pump. It cost about $450 to fix everything and the car was super clean inside and had no dents outside. The paint was bad on the roof and hood.

Personally I wouldn't pay anyone to fix anything on that list. If you are handy with anything, you can figure out how to fix that car. But if you can't figure out how to stop a sink in the house from leaking, you need to make enough money to pay someone to fix your cars from now on.

There are some step by step instructions that myself and others have posted on the internet so if you dig deep enough you can find help. However, if you can't change the filter in your air box, start looking for another car.

 

Thanks to ed7 and rspi for all your great advice, I appreciate it! I forgot to mention my service light is now on which means engine oil and oil filter have to be changed according to my manual-is that something anyone has done themselves, too? Again, my car is a 1990 Volvo 740 Intercooler wagon. Thanks!-Teacher in California

 

Changing the oil is like replacing a light bulb in a house to us. We do it all the time. I do it monthly. We even have a thread that talks about how we do it.

 

I don't know much about 740s, but I can give you a general idea. If you must, get help from your family, relative or friends:

- Brake light is on
Replace one or more brake lamp bulbs; no tool is generally required.

- Brakes do not sound good
Have a mechanic inspect them. Inspection should be about $20-30. If all 4 brakes need replacing, $200-300 (very rough estimate).

- Rear, drivers tail light busted and got ticket
Body shop ($$$), junk yard or get one from an on-line vendor (including Amazon.com) and install it. A mechanic would do it for about $40-80 excluding the cost of the lens.

- High beams and one headlight not working anymore.
Replace the bulb; generally no tool is required. Unplug old bulb and install new bulb. To disconnect the connector, turn about 1/4 turn CCW. Installation is a simple reverse of removal.

- Now, drivers door sometimes does not close.
The door may be misaligned or the latch/striker is shot. Leave it to a mechanic. I would estimate $40-80.

- Sometimes hard to lock doors with my key.
The inside panel of the door needs to come out and clean & lubricate the linkage, or remove FOD/gunk if there is one. As a cheap alternative, use graphite lubricant in the key cylinder. A mechanic would charge $40-100, I assume.

- No tune up for several years.
Shame on you Have a mechanic do it. Make sure that he/she uses OEM parts. Non-dealer shops use non-OEMs in general so you may want to buy parts on-line and supply them to your mechanic. The mechanic may charge extra for labour. About $200-300.

- Drivers side mirror fractured
Get parts from a junk yard or on-line vendor. Pry the old mirror off with a flat blade screwdriver and install the new one with a mirror adhesive or epoxy. I recommend wearing eye protection & hand gloves during this process.

- Windshield wipers looking weathered.
Get wipers from Walmart or any automotive parts shop and do it yourself. Many products come with a brief instructions on the back of the package. At the wiper blade section, they have a booklet to let you look up on your make, model, model year & trim level.

- No heat anymore.
Have your mechanic deal with it. I assume you need a new thermostat or water valve; about $100-150 as a rough estimate.

- Your 740 should last a bit longer before you junk it. If scheduled maintenance is followed, Volvos can last 30-40 years/300,000-500,000 miles.

TIP: In order to avoid getting taken, do your homework and talk & act like you know your car.

P.S, those who know 740s, please correct/supplement me if I made wrong suggestions.

JPN