I bought a 1990 240 Volvo a few weeks ago and I need to spend a bit of money to fix it up mechanically. I can see that the car has been re-sprayed, but now I can see a few points of rust, where the paint has come away... around the fuel cap area, on the edges of two of the doors. I don't know what’s underneath the paint. Are these typical 240 rust points? Do 240's have a history of rust? Any advice? Just treat the rust points and paint? I don't mind fixing the car up, but don't want to waste money fixing a car that's rusting away...

 

My experience of Volvos is that they are one of the least rust prone vehicles around. Yours is 16 years old and the rusting parts that you mention have, most likely, happened due to carelessness by a previous owner. Fuel filler area chipped by nozzle and edges of doors chipped by thoughtless opening against walls or other cars and then not treated.

Treat and paint them.

 

Thanks, that sounds good to me. The only nagging feeling I have now, is that I do not know what's hinding under the re-sprayed paint work... I guess there is no way of telling if the rust now showing is just limited damage or is spread further underneath... The body work all checks out visually though... Take a magnet around the car to find any hidden rust or filler? (does that really work?) Cheers...

 

Yes, it really works. Make sure it is a fairly weak magnet so it does not attach itself to any filler that still has metal behind it.

 

Okay borrowed a magnet from the fridge, wrapped it in a cloth and took it all over the exterior paint work, it didn't fall off so I'm guessing that's good On my way round I took a closer look under the wheel arches. Under both rear wheel arches, upper off centre, towards the front, I found what looks to me like a bolt surrounded by a square looking plate, it has a dried pasted look around the edges... Both rear wheel arches have them, (roughly?) in the same location… What are they? Are they part of the Volvo? Or some ugly addition? I've included a picture below...

[IMG]local://upfiles/5780/92FE67F78B144B79ADA5F8A7DBD41297.jpg[/IMG]

 

Sorry, I can't help you on this one. I sold my 240 in 1992 and can't remember seeing anything like this.

Perhaps a current 240 owner will know.

 

I just checked my '92 240 Wagon, and it has those bolts. As for the rust, my car has been in MA/NH all it's life, and it has no rust whatsoever

 

That makes me feel better... Looks like the body work is sound, Thanks Chipmunkk.

 

Rear wheel arches can collect amazing amounts of road dirt which holds lots of moisture so needs regular cleaning out to avoid rust. My 1991 Torslanda estate has little or no rust apart from this area which I'm soon to have rust proofed and painted with rough paint to reduce effect of stone chips