A month ago I was leaving the driveway and I noticed that the coolant level indicator was on. The radiator was cracked, so I had to get a new one. Volvo Argentina wanted about 800 dollars for a new radiator, which they had in stock. Luckily, since we have two cars and I am working from home, I could import the parts directly from the US and save a bunch.

I ordered a Niessens radiator from FCP for $205 plus another $20 for the clamps and o-rings. I also bought a PCV kit, an intake mainifold gasket, a coolant reservoir (just in case the old one was planning to crack), a coolant reservoir cap and a new thermostat+gasket.

Parts: $430
Shipping to Miami: $0
Tax: $0
Freight + customs: $190

Indy shop (former Volvo mechanic): $100
Cooling system diagnostics
Radiator installation
New coolant
Checking hoses
Coolant reservoir installation
Thermostat installation
New platinum plugs
Engine compression test
Service light cleared
Pulling codes (found codes on the ECC which could explain the crazy aircon problem)
Car wash
Left axle diagnostics (have to change the part because it clicks when I turn)
Parking space (parts took 20 days to arrive)

Grand total: $720

I will do the PCV kit replacement myself to save some cash.

That´s about the money I was planning to spend during May at the body shop. So now I have to save up for the body shop again, while my car looks like crap due to an accident.

My Dell laptop also died this week. It has a problem with the voltage regulator and the motherboard has to be changed. It´s just not worth it, so I am getting a new one. That will put me back another grand or so. Luckily I have four computers at home and I can work from here until I get a new lappy.

Incredible how hard it is to save money when you have kids!!!

 

On that account, I shall consider myself fortunate to be kids-free, even though I would be out of the gene pool. I'll let you guys take care of the planet after I'm gone.

My lappy is probably nearing its end as well. It suddenly cut out twice the other day and it was due to the CPU's getting red-hot. My lappy is a Japanese domestic cr@p called SOTEC (will never buy another one from them again). I got it in December 2002. Right now it is still working but when itcatches on fire I will look for a Panasonic, NEC orToshiba lappy.

CPU cooling is important but with the current technology you have only 2 options; noisy cooling fan or liquid-cooled system developed by NEC (had better come with low-coolant indicator[8D]). A new lappy with decent CPU & RAM combo would cost me approx US$1300-$1600. At least I won't have to worry about Nissens radiator. If anyone wants to donate a tricycle, my mailing address is 203......


JPN

 

Your laptop is really lasting a long time!!! I only paid $500 in Oct 2005 which was a great deal considering 1.25 GB RAM and wireless b/g. The quality of this Dell Insipiron 1200 is horrible, just looking at it makes my eyes hurt, but it keeps my wallet happy.

I´d open the laptop, clean the fan, remove the CPU. Clean the old thermal paste which is probably useless by now. Add some Arctic 5 silver thermal paste and reassemble.

That should give it 5 more years of life, haha.

 

Thanks Axel, I have printed out your reply so someday whentheCPU overheats again, I will follow your instructions to see if I can get extra 2 years out of this piece of cr@p. I first thought some SMD went haywire, especially the capacitors as I smelled something strange at the time when it overheated.

As you probably know, that many components in today's PCs are made in South Asia. South Korea & Taiwan seem to keep up with the world's standard, especially Samsung in Korea, but I'm skeptical of other places.


JPN

 

To avoid being totally off-topic, the Nissens radiator was a PERFECT fit. The mechanic was impressed because he had only used Volvo OEM parts before for this kind of repair.

Imagine that he had originally proposed replacing the broken radiator with a custom made bronze radiator which would end up costing about $400 without any kind of guarantee that it would work 100%.

 

Sorry for your troubles, but I am glad to hear that you at least were able to get the car fixed.

 

Thanks

 

Hey now,

I feel for you on the UN-expected outlay of $$$$.

My Anvil has caught me out several times and an engine change not too long ago has left me hurting.

I now think that I have a leaky heater coil (get the odd wiff of that sweet coolant smell) and the shop is recommending that I should also change the evaporator as it is close by and that the whole dash has to comeout to do it. The shop is saying that the part's are going to be around $900CDN and labour is going to bring it to around $1700CDN [:@].

And I'm STILL having a cooling fan issue. [>:]

I think I found a page for changing out the core but I want to make sure that it can be donewithout too much fuss as I wouldn't want to start only to find out that the dash does indeed need to come out and that I have to take it to after I have funked it up. []

You can never live that down. Besides, do I really need to replace the evaporator or is this just a cash grab?


Cheers

 

If you already have to take the dash apart it is a smart move to replace the evaporator. It only costs $130.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/69

 

I feel your pain as well.
Have alot of stuff that the cars need soon as well.
I was looking for a used Laptop for about $150.00 to $200.00 but I think I am about to give up on that for now.
Getting pretty hard to find one.

 

It all depends on the amount of water and components affected. I suggest you that you can get a blower and try to blow off water. The best way to do this is to leave it and do not move a few days, remember when you do this, please remove the battery, memory and hard drive. This should be done in such a way that lacks the circuit components. Also disconnect from and do not use it because you can use only dry laptop again. Hope that works and keeps your laptop.

 

I just picked this one up back in February:

Inspiron

Nice little laptop that converts to a tablet. They had it for $150 off at the Microsoft Store (came out to $400).

I feel your pain with the car repairs. This year so far, I had to replace the water pump, thermostat, fan clutch and front brakes on my 240, front brakes on my 850 and am looking at a front suspension rebuild kit for it, and looks like the battery on my Mustang is going since it will be completely drained if not started in more than 4-5 days (plus need to flush the coolant since it hit the 5 year mark).

 

I think that was a spam posted that has resurected a few old threads.