Okay, here we go. This is the first Volvo we've owned. I just bought this 240 DL for my son. Has 244,000 miles, but is very solid - no rust. Does not burn oil and runs strong. Shifts nicely, but the fluid is getting a little brown (does not smell burnt).

The following were replaced by the previous owner within the last year: Spark plugs, distributor cap & rotor, O2 sensor, all new belts, new motor mounts (both sides), and it stars quickly, idles quietly and smoothly and accelerates well. It has 4 new tires along with new inner & outer tie rods & fresh alignment. Brake work consisted of all new rotors & pads and a new caliper on the rear passenger side. Brakes evenly and consistently with no pulling.

Steers tight and handles and rides well. No drift.

Everything works - cruise, dash lights, sunroof (no leaks) heated seats. Interior looks pretty good, even with the obligatory dash cracks. All window motors work. All exterior & interior lights work. Has a Sony CD player with remote & iPod input.

I will need to replace the blower motor (I've read the details and it seems like a job I can handle).

Is there anything else I need to look into or be concerned about?

Sorry about the length of the post. I appreciate any & all replies.

 

Looks like you got a good start on things.

I would search for "flame trap" and change the transmission fluid.

 

Just a little heads up on the blower motor...its a 6 hour job for a shop to do it...ive done it at home in about 5hours and im master certified plus have done 5 of those things...they arnt not fun at all haha. just make sure to take your time and save all the piceses...also think about doing the heater core while your in there..you only wanna take everything apart once good luck!! also find out when it last had a fuel filter and change it if it hasnt

 

Well, the blower motor has been replaced. I bought a VDO motor from the local O'Reilly's and ordered a control and resistor from Groton. Just in case, I also bought a new heater core.

Total time for the job was about 6 hours following Art Bernstein's guide, and I didn't take the seat out. I opted to work around the heater controls instead of removing them. As it turned out, the new heater core wasn't needed. Someone had apparently replaced it before the motor went out, as the hoses and clamps all looked brand new. The VDO motor didn't need to have the bosses ground off, since this is a 1990 240 DL. Replaced the resistor and switch. Tested operation and all was good. Reassembled the dash and buttoned everything up.

Fired up the heater, checked all the positions and speeds - all good. As a last check, I turned the AC on, and even though it's the original R12 system, it fired right up without a hiccup! I'll get a can of R12 tomorrow and hook up the gauges just to check.

And even though it wasn't as bad as I'd feared, I still would rather have spent the 6 hours watching college football....

 

Congrats on the newest member of the blower motor club. Sounds like you have a nice '90 240.

I would suggest replacing the tranny fluid. I would not touch the pan at all. Here's Dave Shannon's site:

http://volvo2.homestead.com/aw70.html

 

Thanks, Blue Goose! How much are the dues?

Actually, I already replaced the tranny fluid & filter and dropped the pan a couple of weeks ago. Found out the HARD way that it's overkill to add 5 qts. ("Dad, why is the transmission leaking out of the filler tube connection?") after the drain and will ONLY drain from the plug and refill same amount from now on...

AL