I'm bringing a 1998 volvo back to life after sitting up for 5 years. Started it up about 3 years ago without a hitch. Installed a battery and vroom. Not so lucky this weekend. It turns over it just won't start. If the gas hand is reading empty how much gas should I put in the tank? I put about two and a half in the tank still nothing. I saw that it was low on oil so I added about 3 quarts, nothing again. Suggestion? This weekend was really about cleaning it up do I didn't put to much effort into starting it. Any suggestions where I might start? More gas? Better battery. Just had this one laying around in the garage from my wife's old car.

In the pic below I made a little mistake when pulling the battery terminal off. When I was taking the positive cable off the part of the terminal that goes to the main fuse box snapped off. It's not like I had issues pulling the positive terminal off its just when I did that thing just snapped in half like it was a thin toothpick. Is this an expensive fix? I've searched a few places for that piece and can't find it anywhere.
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Spent about 8 hrs cleaning the mold and mildew out if the plastic and leather.

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A good parts place (NAPA??) should be able to provide a large crimp terminal that would connect the line to the fuse box and bolt onto the battery fitting, just like the original. Since large cable crimps are an issue (borrow the right tool), I would pull the fuses / circuit breakers in the main box and then solder the connection (silver electronics solder is probably best) as well to ensure a good connection. At that point, you need to protect the new connection from corrosion / moisture, which looks to be a problem in your area.

 

Thanks. An yes Napa is GOOD source for the parts I need. Not so sure about soldering it myself though.

 

The paint on these things are incredible. What I thought was going to be a hard job washing looks likes its going to be easy.
I took a towel to the filthy side and the grime came right off. This thing has been under a tree for about 4 years or so. The other side is still in pretty good shape. I still may need a detail guy to pressure wash some of the more serious gunk and dirt off though. Phase one is almost complete.

 

Starting to look nice! The 98 S90 we bought in 2013 spent most of its life living under a tree outside Sacramento (owned by a grandmother). It had been resprayed (most likely because of the clearcoat disease) so it looked OK, but lots of sun damage to the interior and a truly amazing amount of small tree leaves, etc. in every nook and cranny. If you haven't figured it out, a really empty tank might not show a reading after two gallons. We had the gas level warning light on once, and the following fill indicated there is 2 - 3 gallons available when the light is on.

 

I talked to my mechanic and he thinks it's a fuel issue. He told me to check for pressure at the fuel rails. He thinks since it sat so long the pump may be shot.

The only sun damage it has was a little cracking on the passenger dashboard at the airbag. And yes those cracks and crannies are filled with leaves. I'm going to have to get a pressure washer to clean it all up.

 

Why did you have it sitting so long?

 

My mother got a Lexus and stop driving it. I should have had this thing up and running 3 years ago. Thanks for the video.

 

The work began this weekend. First the battery issue was fixed pretty easily.





It was getting fire but fuel pressure at the rails was almost nonexistent. So now we have to get to the fuel pump. You have to drop the dive shaft to remove the tank......WOW! I didn't read or see that ANYWHERE while doing my research.

 

On another note. The quality of the paint on these things are incredible. Water and a towel yielded pretty good results.

From this:
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Nice battery made by east penn. I just took one to the smelters today (from my S90), dated may 2006.

Isn't there an access panel in the trunk to reach the fuel pump from there?

Be careful about where you stress the rear diff member, I don't think it's steel. I use a 2x8 about 2 feet long to distribute the load.

 

It's a good thing I did remove the tank to replace it. After sitting for 5+ years there's was absolute mess in the fuel tank. We went the long route but that ended up being a good thing to do.

 

$2300 later. Suspension a the biggest issue.



Shocks
Struts
Fuel pump
Battery
Coils
Goodyear eagles
Control arm bushings
Sway links
Steering Stabilization bushings
Headliner

 

looks great!!!

 

I want to see the look on people's faces when the owner tells people "it was painted 18 years ago"

 

You should see the look on friends faces when I tell them I cleaned a five year layer of dirt off with a towel and water from a spray bottle.