Hey gents,

I'm picking up a 1998 850 GLT Sedan that has been sitting for about 6 months (hasn't moved or been started). I'm not very mechanically inclined so I'm coming to the Volvo experts here for some advice!

I was thinking about getting a full fluid flush. Is there anything else I should do? (Should I get a full fluid flush?)

On a side note, I'm taking it to a mechanics for a pre-buy inspection before I actually buy the car, is there anything I should have him look for that isn't the norm?


Thanks in advance!


Dru

 

Hi Dru, welcome to the forum.

You can start by telling him to look for another person to purchase the car.

For starters, Volvo did NOT make a '98 850 GLT. The 850's stopped production in '97. Secondly, these cars should ONLY be owned by someone that can turn a wrench and maintain the car themselves. The car will likely cost you $70 per month to maintain. Some repairs cost in excess of $600, like the PCV system replacement, the timing belt replacement, the front end replacement, etc. You can purchase the car for $1,500 and immediately be faced with over $2,000 worth of repairs and upkeep.

They are very nice cars if properly maintained but they need constant maintenance, mainly because they are old.

Again, don't walk, RUN from the FWD Volvo's.

 

Not every breather box needs to be replaced and there's no reason to replace all front end components for no reason. You can purchase any $1500 car and be faced with $2000 in repairs. 850s aren't that scary

 

If you're not mechanically inclined a Volvo isn't my first choice but everyone has their own opinion. If you like the car and you don't mind paying a bit more for repairs or parts than a Honda or Chevy then you're good.

You need to read this before you take it to the mechanic. Lurk, read and ask and you should be able to get the info you need.

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...s-s-v70s-9266/

The mechanic should be able to tell you in you need the flushes as he can see and feel the fluids better than any of us.

 

If you're going to buy the car and drive it into the ground, that may be fine. But I have rarely read of anyone buying one of these cars that didn't turn a wrench coming out happy. They love the car but can't afford to fix it.

 

Telling everyone to RUN from ALL FWD Volvos is a bit dramatic. I've seen plenty of RWD Volvos that are total toilets and would cost just as much to get in decent shape. Not everyone works on their own car. Any old, used car that is cheap is probably going to need work. Scaring people by making statements like that is unnecessary, especially when there isn't anything that hard or complicated about an 850. Not all of them need the breather box replaced. Not all of them need an entire front end. And even if someone buys one that does need a breather box and some front end work, after that it could last quite a while before anything else is needed. I have plenty of customers with 850s that are in good shape and don't need that much work to keep going.

 

I don't tell everyone to run, just people that claim to have no ability or desire to do their own upkeep.

I never said that ALL of the FWD Volvo's need a breather box service, but the fact is, 9 out of 10 do. Not all of them need a timing bet replaced, but if it does, and you don't, it will likely end poorly. I also noted that repairs & upkeep would cost around $70 per month, which I think is awesome for a 16+ year old car, but I read post after post of people crying about the constant necessary upkeep.

Yes any old car can be severely trashed out and in need of a lot of work but seriously doubt that a decent 850 was parked for an extended period of time. Parked old cars are usually a pain in the rear, no matter what model they are. Then you compound that with a limited amount of competent support, and you end up with a frustrated owner with pockets emptying real fast. It's a Volvo, every time the car fails to start someone wants to replace a fuel pump at the tune of $500 (a 30 minute job), or when the battery dies they want to change the alternator because it's putting out 13.4 volts instead of 14+ volts, at a tune of $750.

Show me a 850 or S70 that hasn't had a needed $700+ repair in the last 12 months and I'll lick the tires.

 

It comes down to competant help. If a battery dies, I replace the batry, check draw and test the charging system. If they pass, the car leaves with just a battery. Alternator output isn't all about volts it's about amps. It can fail a load test while putting out 14 volts.

I also would test a fuel pump prior to replacing it.

Not everyone can or wants to work on their own car. With incompetant help, any used car is risky and will cost money.

 

Im still curious as what to the car actually is. Like rspi already noted, no 98 850 GLT..