Hi all. Today was interesting as I stumbled upon a 1988 Volvo 780 V6. The car is a pristine all original car with 166,000kms. Red on grey leather. I met the original owners and they are looking to pass the torch. The car has an issue where it randomly quits, it can sit for a few days and will restart. The local Volvo dealer can't find the issue.

I come from Saabs, specifically old 900s, which I understand fairly well. Random quitting is generally implicated with a bad hall effect sensor or perhaps ignition amplifier. Also, I know LH 2.2 injection can be a little fickle, but it rarely doesn't work unless the AMM is totally screwed. Volvo and Saab both used period Bosch parts-bin parts, and first glance reveals some familiar stuff.

Is there something common on the V6 that I should watch out for?

BTW, anybody have a clue as to what these are even worth. I figure I will pay something for it, but it is a broken car, so... What are these worth when perfect?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

 

It's all about condition in these as all older type cars. The 780 is better with the turbo, the v6 is not as desirable. The PRV motor is problem prone, that's why later Volvo went to the Turbo. the six is not complicated per say but finicky and few know it well, nobody loves it. A perfect '88 780 pRV is probably worth $5k.