hey guys, i'm been looking at a 96 850 5cyl 2.3l turbo. just wondering if there is anything i should be looking for as far as problem areas. i know the timing belt but i figured you volvo guys might have a little more knowledge
140000 on the clock
fully loaded: leather moonroof and in damn near perfect shape
price is a little over 3k
thanks in advance

 

Get a carfax report. Check all maintenence/service records. Maybe ETM will need a glance. I'm sure Tech knows of many other things to watch out for.

 

what does EMT stand for?

 

He wrote ETM which is Electronic Throttle Module. But the 850 doesn't have one.It didn't come on the cars till 1999.

Check for broken upper spring seats and oil leaks.I would find a place that works only on Volvo's and have them look it over.
Most will only charge you 1 HR. labor to do and inspection on the car.

 

The ETM was my mistake. I was thinking about something else while posting. Tech's advice is always best - get the car inspected by a professional who can give it a good, thorough inspection.

 

Service records are key. Timing belt, radiator replacement, transmission fluid, etc. All important

Big ticket items to fix:

Check for Rear main seal leak.

A/C Evaporator

Transmission

 

Whenever I go about buying a used car, I always perform a cooling system leakdown test. I bought my test kit at NAPA with all kinds of radiator neck adapters for about $100. If the engine passes leakdown test, then chances are that the engine was never overheated.

Budget and set aside money for...
1) Replacing Brake Pads (parking brake has its own set of pads) and Rotors
2) Replacing Thermostat
3) Replacing light bulbs on dash switches
4) Draining and Refilling Auto Trans Fluid (I wouldn't flush after going 140K miles on original fluid)
5) Replacing Timing Belt (every 70K miles) and Water Pump
6) Replacing Battery (I found one that matched OEM at Interstate Battery Store)
7) Replacing Cabin Air Filter
8) Purchasing new remote for key-less entry.
9) Replacing wiper blades for winshield and headlights.

You can obtain security code for radio from Volvo dealer using car's VIN or radio's serial number.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I just bought a 1995 850 turbo with 122k miles on it and just ordered replacement brake pads and rotors. It feels like I need the wheels aligned and balanced as well. Are things like cap and rotor, plugs, wires, not very important? I found a Bosch kit on Ebay so I was wondering if I should get it. Thanks.

Edit: Can someone lead to a place I can order a glove box from? I've looked all over without finding one.

 

try erievovo.com

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but here is a tray:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VOLVO...spagenameZWDVW

Or are you looking for the entire glove box compartment?

 

Forget Bosch Kit...

You will know when it is time to replace cap and rotor -- especially while attempting to start engine during rain, fog, or mist. Purchase OEM cap and rotor.

At nighttime, open up hood, and start engine. Take a look at wires. Do you see what appears to be lightening bugs -- a green glow? If so, time to replace wires. I would purchase a set of new OEM wires. Take out your multi-meter and check Ohms resistance between your existing wires and your new OEM wires. If the existing ones have more resistance than new OEM, then time to replace.

Purchase Bosch Coppers. Tips of Platinum plugs have been known to break off on engines with Turbo.

 

I bought one about two years ago. Here is what I have had to fix so far.

Check the radiator carefully. It's not particularly expensive to replace, but they do wear out.
Spring seats in the front tend to go. Listen for a front-end clunk when going over speed bumps
Struts need to be checked by a shop
Definitely have the rear seal looked at. It is an expensive repair, and they all need replacing around 100K
Be sure to spend time with all of the electronic doohickeys -- door locks, lights, power seats, etc. -- if anything is not crisp or binding, it is on the way out
Check the throttle body for gunk. If it hasn't been cleaned the car may not have been serviced thoroughly
Definitely have the timing belt checked. It's a major pain, IMHO, to change
Smell the interior. A cabin leak, and the resulting mold, are difficult to get out
Get the service receipts and call the garages for any known issues that might have been put off

JM

JM

 

Good info but I already bought the Bosch kit sigh. I bought it just before looking at this post lol. Thanks for the link but I wanted the whole glove box since the lock is broken and the inside is broken as well. Hopefully erievovo.com will have one in my color. I was told the timing belt was done at 90k so that should be fine. I didn't know about the rear main seal though. What exactly is this? Thanks all and much appreciated for the info.

 

The Rear Main seal is the rear crank seal.It is there to keep the oil from leaking out the back of the engine.
The transmission has to be removed in order to replace it.