So I am coming up on 250,000 in about another 1,000 mi. I have never had a car last this long so it got me to wondering -- what does it need to turn 500K ?

I have given it good care and maintenace - changed oil every 2,500 mi since new, doesn't use any oil, and runs good.

However I've noticed that the fuel milage isn't what it used to be. So what should I be looking at to make it another 250K?

Injectors ?, rod & main breaings?, turbo ?, or???

If those of you in the know could let me know what you think, I'd like to see how long the old 850 will run with regular maintenance and some TLC.

Thanks in advance.

kc

 

when was the last time it had a tune up? and new filters o2 sensors etc? i would run some seafoam thru it sometime

 

500K should be attainable with proper care and timely maintenance....oil changes, coolant flushes, timing belt changes, etc.

 

The filters get changed on a regular basis (all of them) the O2 sensors have only gotten changed when the code shows up. Guess I didn't realize that they could be bad and not throw a code.

I've heard good things about seafoam but never put much stock in additives -- might have to try it though.

 

I do the timing belts on a 70K basis, eng oil every 2500, trans - when it looks like it needs it(3 - 4 times in the 250K).

So do the injectors were out ?? Heard that if they are the pintle type they will and if they are the disc type they don't -- guess #1 I don't know the difference and #2 I don't know what I have.

 

I am in a similar situation with my 95 Volvo 850 GLT with 220k+ miles. I am not worried about my fuel injectors, I am concerned about the alternator. I do not want to be stuck out in God knows where when it fails. Does anyone know how long an alternator will last?

 

The Chicago Trib ran an article a few months back talking about the world record holder for original owner miles - 2.8 million on a Volvo P1800. The owner took the car to the same dealer for every factory scheduled maintenance, rebuilt the engine twice and the trannie thrice. So yeah, follow the owner’s manual, follow the tips you find here, and you should be driving it for quite some time.

 

REPEAT: When was the last time plugs, wires, rotor, and dist cap was replaced?

Keep the PCV system replaced and 500k will be easy. Keeping these things running is a lot cheaper than paying car payments.

 

Just for the hell of it...does anybody know the record for a timing belt? I'm 30K over spec on my 94 850. Not trying to push it intentionally but damn it's cold here in Michigan. Just got the $$$ together and will order a total kit from FCP today ...but...damn it's cold!!!

 

Just replaced the PVC system less than 10K and planning on doing the plugs, cap and rotor at the 250 K mark. So speaking of which -- I've heard that the regular copper plugs run better than the platinum plugs in the 850.... true or just a tale?????

 

I have heard that it is best to stay with the oem plugs. I did on our S70 and 960. I once tried that in my 740 when they first came out and my gas milage dropped about 15%. That's a lot when you drive 40,000 miles per year.

 

There's a few things that our rides are quite picky about; O2 sensors and the MAF have to be Bosch, and copper plugs - gapped at .028 - work the best!

 

Rickford: there seems to be a Japanese study that these timing belt would last 110k to 120k. I have personally seen a 1998 V70 with a 50k miles overdue TB. I also understand that Volvo has found inconsistent results on its engines for TB over 70k-75k miles, hit-and-miss kind of thing. It means that TB can break for an engine with a 5k miles overdue, or 50k miles overdue, or anytime in between.

Weather has been terrible here in the NorthEast as well. At least you might be able to pull the cover and check if the tensioner is leaking and visually check the the belt.

Hope you stay lucky for another month.

 

Thanks Vinnie, being in the wrench-bending business (class 8 truck) I understand that some things just need to be original and not aftermarket. Just that sometimes its hard to know without either the benfit of your own experience or someone else's .

 

Hello rspi, I have a 1995 850 GLT. The car runs fine. I change the oil regularly, changed the timing belt, and changed the tranny fluid last year. The car has approx. 220K miles on it. I have the uneasy feeling that the PCV system has not been changed in God knows how long ago. I do see a slight oil residue around the PCV rubber hose where it connects to the valve cover on top of the engine. I priced the complete PCV kit on Ebay from FCP Groton for $ 140 - shipping included ! Should I replace everything ? I have put off doing this job before because it seems so much more complicated than changing out the PCV on an American car like my Saturn SL.

 

Yeah, you'll want to change it, especially if you have smoke coming out of the dip-stick tube. There's plenty of write-ups on how to do it. Not the easiest thing to do to our cars, but very important - can you say "RMS blowout"?

 

Thats what I was gonna say....if you think the PCV system is a pain to do (and it really isnt) then you should try a rear main seal sometime.

Definitely get it taken care of...as was said, it isnt hard to do at all, just maybe a little time consuming and somewhat daunting the first time. I've done 5 of them now (friends with volvos) and have it down to about an hr and a half.

 

Replace everything and make sure the hole in the motor block is cleaned out. It takes time and try not to loose manifold nuts.

 

If you're ever in the Chicago area, feel like number 6? I got the parts and an unheated garage!

 

Thank you all for your replies. I shall follow your advice. I will have the entire PCV system replaced and ensure that the hole in the motor is cleaned out. I have no smoke coming out anywhere except the tailpipe when I first start the car. But I did not want to wait until bad things happen. My next question concerns the alternator. When do I know I should change it ? My car has 220K miles on it. The alternator looks pretty old. Can it suffer a catastrophic failure or will it warn me first ?