recently purchased a '93 850 and have a couple problems with the car. It has 201,000 miles on it.

First, there is a grinding, bad bearing-like, noise coming from the right front. I am almost certain that it likely the CV joint on the drive axle. However, I was wondering if it was the bear hub. The noise is loudest when turning to the left. Noise is evident during acceleration and coasting. If CV drive axel, what does rebuilt one go for?

Second, the car tends to stall out while driving. The previous owner gave-up in trying to figure out why this was happening. Most of the time is happens is during driving up or down hills. Problem was also worst after getting fuel. I was thinking that there might be water in tank, so I used some dry gas. This seamed to help at first, but problem still exists. I am starting to think that the fual pump has an intermitant problem. Has anyone else had a similar problem??

Besides this the car is great! (I actually should not complain since I bought the car for a dollar)

Any helpfull suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ron
Flanders, NJ

 

Hi,

I'd pick up a Haynes manual as some good background info. Any auto parts store should have it. Then, try to pull the diagnostic codes from under the hood. It should give you some insight into troubleshooting the stalling issue.

 

You migth want the have you wheel bearing checked. If it is more of a grinding noise might be you CV.

The stalling problem could be water in the tank, try some gas line antifreeze, that mixes with the water so it will burn. (not sure if dry gas is the same thing) It might also be the fuel pump, maybe electrical but you mentioned worse when you fill up or go up or down hill. You might want to have a look at the gas tank. I had one that had sludge in it and the fuel pump would suck up the sludge and pump would make terrible noise and eventually quite, one the suction had gone sludge would fall off and car would run fine. Just a thought.

 

Replace the fuel filter. If there was water in the tank it may linger in the fuel filter. After you replace the filter put another shot of drygas through the system.

Check your fuel pump relay; it may have started to die instead of your pump.

Check the pump connections for oxidation.

 

I would say bad wheel bearing.

And try pulling codes when it stalls out. Don't turn the key off just try to pull codes if you can.

Follow link to learn how to pull codes.
http://www.troublecodes.net/Volvo/

 

Thanks for all of the good suggestions. I will try some of these this weekend and let you know how I make out.

 

Well I got some time to look at the right front bearing and CV half shaft. The problem is the bearing. Dissassembled up to point of taking the (4) 11mm 6 point bolts out that hold the hub in place. Wow the axle shaft nut was tight! [:@] Had to slide my jack handle over the wrench handle to get enough torque. Also had to chisel and cut part of nut where the factory indents the flange of the nut into the keyway of the shaft to lock the nut. I guess the Swedes don't like cotter pins.

Have not gotten to the stalling issue. My first check will be the fuel pump relay. Attached is pic of the electrical box. Which relay is the fuel pump relay?

If that does not work, I plan to pull the fuel pump, inspect inside of the tank and likely replace the pump.

BTW: this 850 has 201K on it. It looks like previous owner maintained relatively well. How many miles can I expect to get out of this car? Are there any major mechanical issues that are common at this mileage?

Ron

[IMG]local://upfiles/3708/921BB853B26240559D66B7258D5363B0.jpg[/IMG]

 

The fuel pump relay is #103 (the green one in your picture)

It looks yours might be original because mine is red, and I know it's been replaced once.

 

I changed the fuel pump relay and it seams to have solved the problem. Have put >100miles on over the holiday with no stalling.

Thanks for the help! I greatly appreciate it!

 

Awesome!

Welcome to Volvoforums!

 

Cool Glad you got it fixed!!