Hi, I'm new to the Volvo world. Always wanted a wagon and snagged one off craigslist for $575! It runs great and has a few quirky things I am trying to fix. Mine is a 1985 DL
Question 1: Every time I go to the auto parts store, they ask me if it's a 244 or 245. I assume it has to do with the difference between the Sedan and the Wagon. Let me know.

Question 2: When the car is started up, if I don't let it warm up for 3-5 minutes, it will stall when I put it in drive. So, I assume it was the pre-heater hose, etc. So, I fixed that (it had some tears in it), and then there was a unattached vacuum hose at the top of the engine and I reconnected that. Any ideas what to look at next? Once it is warm, it never stalls. Thanks!

 

Well, I can answer the first question. You are right, and the last number is the number of doors the vehicle has: the sedan has 4 doors, while the wagon has 5 doors, thus your wagon will be a 245. If you look at the metal data plate in engine compartment, it should show that number instead of the more general "240."

 

an 85 has a cold start injector, if thats not squirting, it might run crummy when its cold.

or, your idle air control valve isn't working very well, and someone twisted up the idle to compensate.

or, your ECT (Engine Coolant Temp Sensor, not to be confused with the coolant gauge sensor) is a bit off, so the injection isn't properly compensating for cold operation.

or..... oh yeah, 1985 is in the middle of the worst years for 'biodegradable wiring' on Volvos ... crummy wiring can make for all sorts of random symptoms.. 82 to 88 basically, although our late 87 seems OK so far.