I've recently started driving a family members '97 Volvo 850 that sat, not doing anything, for something like 4 years. After replacing a timing belt and alternator (and other miscellaneous things), and after driving it around pretty successfully for about a month and a half, I've run into some problems. If anyone knows how to fix these or could provide some links on what is causing the problems I would be much appreciative!

1. Some days it doesn't start. It revs to about 1000 rpm and then dies with all the dash lights on, and I can smell unburned gas. Other days it starts normally with no problems. A local mechanic said it was some kind of loose coil.

2. Whenever I go over any bumps at all, there's a massive clunking noise that comes from the front right wheel. Whenever I turn the steering wheel sharply I hear a steady clicking noise too.

3. When I brake (either hard or soft), it pulls to one side slightly.

4. It seems like I get low gas mileage - I know volvos aren't anything like a Prius, but I only drive short distances around town and I feel like I should be going further on a tank.


If anyone has any ideas let me know. It's been to a couple local mechanics recently, and it's been owned by my family since it was new. I've been researching these problems, and everything I've read seems pretty inconclusive, so I decided to ask the experts here.

 

Hi Stain and welcome to the forum. I'm no expert but I'll do what I can.

#1, Not sure what the problem is there. Likely some kind of vacuum problem.

2. Likely a blown spring seat. You can open the hood and look to see if the top of the strut goes up and down when you press on the car trying to make that side bounce.
2-b. The clickin in the turn is a bad CV joint. You'll need a new axle for that side.

3. The side it pulls to will likely have a bad control arm.

4. If you are making very short trips, your mileage will likely be around 18 mpg. Other than that, you can tune it up and change plugs, wires, etc.

Is the car turbo? How many miles?

 

Thanks for your reply and welcome, it's much appreciated. And it is not a turbo, and it has a little over 180k miles. Why do you ask?

 

The higher the miles the more suspect some things are that on a lower mileage car wouldn't be as relevant. A turbo is different from a regular engine is that it has some different parts.

The pulling could also be a brake issue with a caliper that has seized.

The clicking it likely a bad CV joint and if you look under the vehicle at the boots you might see one that's ripped open or see where it's been slinging grease from being torn. Best bet is to replace the bad shaft.

 

Just curious. Seemed to have several suspension issues, my guess is that you had more than 150,000 miles.

 

There is an emissions canister on the drivers side - carbon canister - they come loose and fall out. That might be your clunking noise. It has three hoses attached to it. We threw our away. It was badly damaged when it came out.

I heard that there is a "fix" for it in non-emissions testing states. I haven't been able to find it. Apparently it is mostly just putting a "T" into the vacuum lines in place of the canister.