Well, here's my new, old 1989 Volvo 240 DL wagon. I'll be doing this and that to it soon. And I'll document it all here. What fun, huh?

 

Think I found my local Seattle Volvo mechanic. I had a "buyer's inspection" done and the shop identified a number of issues that need to be addressed - timing belt, water pump, ball joints, tail light wiring, rear brakes.

First parts ordered are a timing belt kit (Contitech, INA & Elring) and a water pump kit (Hepu). When the parts arrive, off to the shop goes "Cloudy."

 

So I bought my new old Volvo 245 wagon on a Monday. Swapped a set of Michelin tires off my dying 740 wagon on Tuesday. On Wednesday I went hunting for a proper Volvo mechanic. I went to four shops asking how much they charged for a "buyer's inspection." The first three shops were too pricey for my taste.

At the fourth and final stop, the mechanic, Larry, came out and admired my wagon. He said he'd worked on my year's model when it was a new model. And, he noted that the alloy wheels were from an early nineties 940.

His inspection price was reasonable. So I said I'd come back in a week and make an appointment. As I drove from his shop, my wagon died about five times. I was able to get it back to the shop. I told Larry that my Volvo obviously wanted to spend the night with him.

That's how my Volvo mechanic got chosen. Larry tracked the cause of the stalling to a cracked fuel pump relay switch. He did an oil change and gave me a pretty complete list of work that needed attention and work that could wait.

I know that folks say these bricks last a lifetime. Clearly, there is some significant maintenance and repair necessary to keep them on the road. I guess I'm willing to take that journey with Larry and Cloudy.

 

Great looking car!

I just bought a 85 245DL wagon.

David

 

Ok. First things first. Out with the 'new' and in with the 'old'. Why would anyone put awful looking round aftermarket speaker covers in place of the cool rectangular OEM covers? It's just wrong, I tell you.

 

Next week the wagon gets a replacement fuel pump (Bosch 9142044) and fuel pump filter (Bosch 1389562). Also, a crankshaft position sensor (Bougicord 271949). I was told that the car still has those original parts. After 27 years and over 230,000 I think it's time for a change.

 

I agree on the audio stuff, nuttin like a vintage Ferrari with some modern CD player spliced into it. I try to keep my stuff factory-looking, or at least semi-matching the rest of the car.

I must admit that I'm quite envious of you door pockets!

 

What the heck. Might as well replace all the fuse positions with new Flosser fuses. Why not?

 

Gonna put this panel of gauges from a Turbo into my 1989 Volvo 240 DL wagon.

 

OK, nice to see you like your new Volvo but unless you have an open check book take it easy on replacing everything--it is a sure way to ruin the car!

"New" parts these days are usually Asian and substandard, I much prefer what Volvo put in the car even though it may have miles as long as it functions, leave it alone! No need to change things especially on some shop's recommendation, mechanics are there to make money!

Volvo-Do Less!

 

Excellent advice, Lev. Thanks very much.

 

+1 on what lev said. Had to replace the main pump on my daughter's car. Bought the Bosch replacement part and it never was as quiet as the original. My '90 has the original main pump with over 230k miles on it and it is still quiet. I won't replace it unless it konks out.

 

I wouldn't change ANY of the parts you mention unless there is a reason, NOT because "after all these years they must be bad"! These cars are great exactly because they last with minimum care. May be change the CPS if it's unraveling or acting up, or better yet carry one with you. The rest, the T belt if not cracked or oily, leave it alone; the water pump if not seeping, also, etc...

 

Well, the mechanic who did the "buyer's inspection" said my timing belt was cracked and my water pump was leaking. So, I went ahead and bought those parts and will have him install them.

But, I'm taking your advice and not gonna install the fuel pump and fuel filter that I already bought. I'll keep them in the trunk, just in case.

I am going to adhere to the bromide, "Don't fix what ain't broken." I've only owned the wagon for less than a month. So, I'll drive it for awhile and keep a close eye and ear on its functioning, and only do repairs unless and/or until they are needed.

Right now the critical issue is that it has stalled out on me twice. Both times the needle on the oil pressure gauge was jumping up and down wildly. And the idle is very loooooooow. Any ideas on what might be causing the stalling?

Thanks folks.

 

I would check to make sure you have proper oil pressure. A jumping around gauge could mean a loose wire. On the other hand, if your pressure is low then it's a sure way to kill an engine. The previous owner may have gotten rid of it for a reason.

Are there any engine codes?

 

Today's the one month anniversary of my purchase of a 1989 Volvo 240 DL wagon. The odometer is stuck at around 230,000. So I bought the car an anniversary present.

 

These are for installing sometime down the road.

 

Good looking wagon, you have a better selection in the PNW then here in the SW.

 

We have a very large Scandinavian community in Seattle, particularly in a neighborhood named Ballard. So, yes indeed, the city is lousy with old Volvos.

 

Ok. I'm old and have a bad back. And the seats in this 1989 245 are just not comfortable. Any suggestions on replacement seats that would fit and would be comfortable and adjustable? Thanks. David.