I'm looking into an 88' 240 DL Wagon on CL and wanted to know if there were any common issues (aside from the general vehicle inspection stuff) I should be watchful for. I know fraying wiring harnesses were an issue on earlier models and high mileage examples usually need new suspension bushings, heater cores, and general tune up stuff. Any major issues I should be on the lookout for? (As a side note, the car is slightly lowered so I'll probably need to get some IPD Adjustable Torque Rods anyways)
Thanks for any input!
-Luke

 

88's are post-bad wiring, the cutoff was mid year 1987

I'd check it for signs of past overheating, look for oil leaks, make sure the wiring is all intact and hasn't been hacked up, fuse panel isn't corroded...

make sure /everything/ works properly, a/c blows cold (those were R12 new and probably have been converted to R134a, if its been done right there will be a R134a sticker under the hood somewhere). the HVAC fan should be reasonably quiet (no 240 is quiet when the fan on anything above 1 or 2). all 4 windows should go up and down smoothly (not surprising to find a slow drivers window, the regulator is likely overdue for replacement).

verify the odometer is working or assume the mileage is WAY off. it should shift smoothly in all gears even under high throttle, there shoudln't be any clunks or rattles when accelerating, decelerating, braking, left or right turns.

most all that stuff can be fixed, but it costs time and money and the more things need fixing, the less the car is worth.

look for rust in the chassis underpinning.... 240's are pretty resistant to rust, but if this car has been in a rust-belt too long, NOTHING is safe.

look for signs of interior water leaking, like on the interior side of the firewall behind the dashboard.

 

I'd also look at the condition of the motor mounts, on the 240s they are a fairly frequent replacement item, every 4-5 years is apparently common. Cheap parts wise, but there is labor if you don't do it yourself.










Same with the timing belt, Volvo recommends 4 yrs / 48,000 on the older cars, 5 yrs / 60,000 on the later ones. The break point is after 1985 but don't remember just which year they increase it.
Again not a terrible job, and actually pretty easy compared to other cars I've owned. I just replaced mine, supposed to be about a 2 hour job, it took me considerably longer... I could do it in 2 hours or less next time now that I know what I'm doing.


The US spec 240s have non-interference engines, so a broken timing belt is just a nuisance, not an engine killer.


Neither of these should be a deal breaker, but if either are due for replacement it is a legitimate bargaining point.

 

check the condition of the coolant hoses, including the heater hoses, find out when the radiator and hoses were last replaced. its all fixable, just costs $$ and/or time so maybe more bargaining.