So I'm looking at a cheap mid 80s 245 with an automatic. Seller says the transmission needs some work but otherwise sounds like it is in decent shape for an older Volvo.




The price attracted me, and I know the manuals, particularly the M46 with OD can have simple fixes, that appear to be a real problem if you don't know what is going on.


I am not at all familiar with the autos to know how their quirks and how to identify a likely minor repair from needs new transmission. Pricing major transmission repairs / replacement, if the problem isn't something I can do myself, then the price is not all that attractive.




The car is located several hours away so I'd like to get a little info before I get to worked up about this one.


Any tips for identifying common easy fixes from major repairs? Common issues with the 240 autos?

 

Depending on the problem it may or may not be a simple fix. I purchased my '90 240 rather cheap 'cause it wouldn't go into 4th gear. Problem was due to a faulty relay.

One thing to keep in mind is that the mid-80's 240s came with the biodegradable wiring harnesses. I think the years were '84-'87. This can lead to all sorts of electrical issues.

 

almost any transmission repair requires removing and reinstalling it, which is 5-6 hours shop time right there, add any time for the actual repair. if you brought the car to a decent tranny shop for a rebuild, you'd be looking at $2000 or so total, likely more than the car is worth unless its a really cherry one.

now, if you can and are willing to remove/install trannies yourself, then you have the much cheaper junkyard option...

 

redwood empire, so somewhere between Marin and Humboldt ? I'm in Santa Cruz, I have a white 1987 240GL sedan I need to sell. runs fine, drives fine but needs some TLC.

1) windshield seal is shot and its leaking water in heavy wet. after a winter in arcata, things got so wet inside it got erratic about running til I dried it out here in Santa Cruz. I've been told to use a 92/93 windshield as these have an integral seal. after removing original windshield, clean out the lower corners and seal any rust, then install new.

2) needs a brake job. its not metal-on-metal but pads are down to 15%.

3) front lower control arm bushings are shot, so steering feels a bit sloppy, won't align right until this is fixed. wears out outside edges of front tires because of this. also could use new shocks.

4) needs a new stereo as I removed the good one that was in it and all 4 speakers. has cutouts for 6.5" on the rear deck, so if you put in some good ones and a $100 "50Wx4" deck you'll get plenty of rockin'... front doors have factory grills with 4.5" cutouts.

5) NO Air Conditioning (compressor is non-functional, condensor was removed when radiator was replaced).

6) sunroof is broken, and silicone sealed around the seam to prevent leaks.

7) I think my daughter told me the driver's door window regulator is getting really slow.

exterior is in pretty good shape (a few trim strips need to be fixed to make it a '8' or '9'), the interior is pretty tired but the custom-fit IPD seat covers are in decent shape, a good interior cleaning would do wonders.

we're the original owners. all exterior lights are like new. white paint in great shape, shines up good. car has a brass IPD radiator, and lots of R&R under the hood, although there's a ****ling minor oil leak. transmission shifts fine in all 4 gears. Has OK tires. Its got a LOT of miles on it (odometer broke at 256000 about 15 years ago). has a trailer hitch and 4-wire brake adapter, was used to tow small sailboats around for awhile. has overload springs in back so is great when heavily loaded. I think I've got a spare set of Yakima rack bars for it.

make offer.

 

Honestly automatics are kind of a mystery to me and a seller listing any problems with an auto tends to scare me off. Even a free car needing a transmission rebuild or replacement is likely to cost more than I paid for my current 240.


I know the M46 + OD is kind of quirky which leads many to think what is in reality a minor repair is a big repair. I was hoping to hear the autos were similar, but it sounds like a problem there is more likely to be a real problem just like non Volvos.




Pierce I'll shoot you a PM, actually quite similar to what I was looking at, just different problems.

 

the AW7x transmissions are Toyota transmissions. AW is Aisin-Warner, started as Borg Warner japan, a joint venture with Toyota. The Volvo AW70 is identical to the tranny used on many Toyota RWD cars in the 80s, and 2x4 pickups all through the 80s, 90s, early 2000s. The AW71 used on the turbo 740/940s is a heavier duty version of it, and the AW72 used on 16 valve 7/9's has different gear ratios, but they are otherwise identical.

As long as they get fluid flushes every few years, and aren't abused, they last pretty much forever. things that can go wrong internally include crud in the ATF blocking hydraulic control ports, valves failing, and clutch bands wearing out. The only electrical component of the AW71 is the solenoid that enables the overdrive (4th) gear.

 

this is our 240 in 2013, my daughter leaving for Arcata...

 

I thought I was doing something wrong, but it appears you are set up not to accept PMs.

 

email me, pierce at hogranch dot com