Hello all! My trusty 87 244 was rear ended but still runs great. LOL. Future drivetrain donor. I have the opportunity to buy a 98 S90 for 1000 bucks. I drove it and love it. Seemed semi-rough running and had a check engine light. Didnt seem to pull smoothly, but cleared 90 mph easy enough. Blackberry wine is a love/hate issue though Haha. 306k miles. Supposedly it needs a head gasket, and ill drop the dough for a timing belt job simultaneously. I've read that this motor is tough to do a headgasket on? Should I pay a Volvo shop to do it then? Surely with those 2 big jobs and a general tune up/ clean even $1000 is worth it? IPD timing belt and gasket kits are about $400 total. So that should rule out 1/2 the maintenance requirements for the motor. I'd hate to pass it up, but I could hold out for a better condition wagon. Any advice on the purple nurple s90? LOL.

 

When you say Volvo shop do you mean a dealer? Even the good ones are ungodly expensive and almost every decent sized city has an independent Volvo shop with a very loyal following because they know the older cars inside and out and treat their customers right.

 

Yes. I live in Knoxville TN. We have a reknowned independent Volvo shop. I try to do my own work when I can, and I'm not intimidated by any b230f work. But, lets face it. Specialty tools for this car plus have you seen all the seals for this s90 head? OMG. I may decide to leave the dohc work to a pro this round. If I could rent the specialty tools, I may give it a go.

 

In that case the only thing you can really do is look at the estimated total cost including the expected repairs and initial purchase cost and make the decision based on "would I buy this car for that price if it was running right and did not need these repairs?". Obviously there is some risk involved as well with the chance that you either discover some other repair needed or maybe the reason that it needs a head gasket is a warped or cracked head. IMO the dude selling is hoping to get lucky as $1000 for a 300K mile car with a bad head gasket is scrap yard material in most buyer minds. Maybe check around and see what the scrap yards would pay for it and offer him the same? I would guess about $500.

 

Yeah I agree. I took a gamble buying my 240 for 500 bucks, put some trim, hubcaps, tlc in/ on it. Daily driver for 2 years till rear ended. I asked my wife to think of it as an investment. Clean body, rarish color, everything works. If Shes happy with the rolling stock, I'd rather piecemeal fix/ replace than have car payments or something. If it gives up the transmission or engine, ill assume it and go to t6 and m90. Scary!

I pick it up Tuesday, and I also called a local European salvage yard. The have a sedan and wagon. Apparently the wagon blew its timing belt. I may see if its picked through yet and consider it as a fixer. Who knows. But at least they are close at hand for parts.

 

I purchased a S90 with 159,000 and had a bad water pump.

I don't think that car is worth $400, maybe $350 (heck, for the cost to fix it, ask him for $400 to take it off his hands). I would bet that it has a burnt valve, which is very common with the white block Volvo cars.

People sell these 960's for less than $2,000 often, with no issues.

 

Got it! Man what a fantastic car. But, the color is unique to say the least. I've been telling people some Amsterdam pimp left his purple Volvo in my driveway. LOL!

I've checked out the major stuff. Timing belt seems recent, but will verify with previous owner. Had an almost overheat today though. Heater hose blew off on the highway. Plastic nipple broke off where they join at the firewall. $2.99 temporary fix with a brass coupler. Lucky I shut motor and coasted to an autoparts store. Whew!

There was some chocolate milkshake in coolant. Oil is clear. And now at least the coolant is all fresh. But I regret not being able to flush it too. Gonna park it and start troubleshooting for head gasket leak.

 

OK. Found where oil fumes coming up from motor. Simple vacuum hose/ oil separator box. Nipple had cracked off. This is looking not so bad so far!

 

Nice. Hopefully you'll work out the small stuff and get some enjoyment out of it.