Hello everyone! Been almost 3 years with the 96 850 Turbo and loved it. Been great fun and has not had a serious problem yet. I do have a few problems that I'm hoping to get worked out. Almost 90k miles.

1.) When I fuel up, and go to restart the car it has now 3 times failed to turn over. It appears the battery is weak or something. After 20 min it will start up fine, like its got plenty of juice. PCV Valve? Fuel Filter? It will try and turn over, lights dim, sounds like a dead battery. It even reset my radio and clock mileage computer, etc.

2.) Leaking a small bit of coolant after longer drives it seems. Only a few drops. What the most common spot for the to happen? Where it ends up on the driveway seems like its about the middle of the engine compartments, maybe slightly toward the drivers side.

3.) Ive had my front left break inspected by the local Volvo dealership, they said it was fine. I'm sure its not. When I reverse out of my driveway it makes a break squeak sound every 7 feet or so until I reach about 10 MPH. After a 5 mile trip to work I took out an infrared thermometer and all my break discs were 140 degrees, but the one I'm having trouble with, drivers side front, is 190 degrees. I do have my exhaust disconnected from the muffler, after the catalytic converter. The flange clamp came off and I'm yet to put the new one on. Could the exhaust be heating it up? I don't think so but its possible.

As for replacing the caliper. I was having the same problem with my back left, changed the caliper out and now its fine. I think my front left was doing it as well, but its gotten worse. When caliper seize up do they get worse? Or does it seize and that's it. I'm mainly asking because I wonder if something is in my lines working its way around.

Because of the break essentially being on, its thrown the alignment far off. So, to wrap up the post... What do you think Ive done to the car, what should I anticipate the bill to be, and what can I do to save some money?

I plan on getting caliper replaced, oil change, most likely new break pads, alignment. Ive read about the PCV valve. I pull the dipstick when its running and get no smoke. Clogged? Should I have them take a look at it? Im currently without tools being far from home and don't know anyone who could work on it.

Thanks!

 

1. Batteries just die after a while. How old is your battery? You can take it to AutoZone, O'Railey's or a place like that to have it checked for free. If it's bad just replace it. Not worth the trouble. Doesn't sound like the problem you are having after a fill up. That is more likely a fuel regulator or something. Usually batteries will have problems starting 1st thing in the morning.

2. Coolant leaks can come from anywhere. You have to clean it and check it for the source. Small leaks can be hard to track, it's best to start at the water pump. If that is the problem, get it replaced asap, along with the timing belt.

3. Calipers can go bad gradually or blow a seal and fail at once. If a caliper is dragging you will normally notice a drop in fuel consumption and yes it will get hotter than normal.
No a bad caliper will not throw alignment off. It can cause the car to pull because of the drag.

4. PCV system is usually a time maintenace item. If you are not smoking when you pull the dipstick, when the car is HOT and running, it may be fine. You can also check for oil leaking at the filler cap and for broken or brittle vacuum hoses. It sould good to me though.

If you get an oil change, brake job, battery, and alignment, you will likely be looking at about a $475 bill short of having a caliper replaced. If it's done at the dealer, maybe $800.

 

Thanks for the info! I figured about $700-$800 all said and done. Thanks again!