My Volvo 850 R Saloon
Discussion
Stedman said:
Andy, I know i'm showing my lack of mechanically knowledge right here but...surely fitting a blanking plate without a dump valve increases the chances of damaging your turbo? 
Would there not be more chance of the turbo stalling more often because of this?
Yup, that noise is Compressor stall, not wastegate chatter. Would there not be more chance of the turbo stalling more often because of this?
Stedman said:
Andy, I know i'm showing my lack of mechanically knowledge right here but...surely fitting a blanking plate without a dump valve increases the chances of damaging your turbo? Would there not be more chance of the turbo stalling more often because of this?
Where did you get your wheels done (sure i've asked you this many many times before) and where is your local exhaust place?
Photos do look cracking and you're right, it does look much better with the silver grille. Shame you changed the rear badges
Hi Stedman, Would there not be more chance of the turbo stalling more often because of this?Where did you get your wheels done (sure i've asked you this many many times before) and where is your local exhaust place?
Photos do look cracking and you're right, it does look much better with the silver grille. Shame you changed the rear badges
Yes the noise created by removing the recirc valve or choosing not to have a dump valve of any kind is the compressor wheel stalling, this can be a problem if a vehicle is running alot of boost but as was the case with the Orion, and the now Volvo, they aren't running huge boost levels so the risks are limited by a vast amount. Indeed on the Volvo's 8x,xxx mile old turbo having just been renewed at just over the 100,000 mile mark, details to follow on that, there were no signs of any fault with the turbo as a result of running without the recirc valve for nearly 15,000 miles
Wheels were done by Lepsons in Kent.
Yes the chrome grille is definately better than the black one and I prefer the chrome lettering because they are easier to read on the dark paint colour and also makes the rear of the vehicle look tidier.
Waugh-terfall said:
Was this in at RTs for a couple of days about a week and a half ago? If so, looked great on the forecourt, any sound clips with that exhaust?
Yes it was just had a fair amount of work done to it, details to follow soon, a few people have asked for exhaust sound clips I shall have to see what I can sort out, cheers for the comments 
kerryt5r said:
Looking good Andy - Forgot how much this car changed since you bought it!
Yes these old barges don't seem to get much of a pampered life and although serviced correctly this was no different unfortunately, but then saying that getting the car from where it was to where it is now has been quite rewarding on a personal level as it feels like I have acheived something with it.30th June 2009
Spent the weekend re-undersealing the rear end of the car to tidy it up after having detailed the fuel tank straps and cleaning the rear disc back plates etc. Looks miles better imo,
Excuse the blotchy look I had the flash on but it is on there in a uniform fashion
oh and I now have myself something to replace the candles I used to employ as headlights....bring on the 6k HIDS :thumbs_up:
Excuse the fly graveyard one thing I keep meaning to do is wash it but with the weather so warm I am reluctant due to the water drying to quickly! lol
To say the difference is like night and day is most appropriate. I haven't once needed to use full beam and when driving the company car at night by comparision it's like driving with sidelights on
Spent the weekend re-undersealing the rear end of the car to tidy it up after having detailed the fuel tank straps and cleaning the rear disc back plates etc. Looks miles better imo,
Excuse the blotchy look I had the flash on but it is on there in a uniform fashion
oh and I now have myself something to replace the candles I used to employ as headlights....bring on the 6k HIDS :thumbs_up:
Excuse the fly graveyard one thing I keep meaning to do is wash it but with the weather so warm I am reluctant due to the water drying to quickly! lol
To say the difference is like night and day is most appropriate. I haven't once needed to use full beam and when driving the company car at night by comparision it's like driving with sidelights on
1st September 2009
Well unfortunately my update is no where near as exciting as previous updates
After deciding that I would give Damien my undivided attention and after covering 3,000 miles since the last engine oil and filter change I thought it would be a good start to a car attention weekend by doing an engine oil and filter change. Russ @ RT's very very kindly sent me two 5 litre cans of Silkolenes finest engine oil and not one but two filters genuine of course, After completing the oil change and general check over underneath I set about cleaning him. I vac'd the interior, treated the leather and trimmed the alcantara trim where it had gone bobbly. I also removed the switch gear in the centre console dash and cleaned all around the switches and radio to remove the build up of dust etc, polished all windows inside. Then outside gave the car a good wash with the usual methods then polished and sealed the bodywork and wheels. Then under the bonnet did and general wipe over to remove any dirt build up on the easy to get to areas.
So after spending the bank holiday giving Damien a well deserved shake down and spruce up I thought I would post a couple of shots I took this evening before I ran out of light as I didn't get a chance yesterday.
Definately need to get those arch liners off and arches detailed as from this angle they look filthy even though I cleaned them out, all you can see is the original Volvo underseal slapped on in good old Volvo style which I need to get sorted!
One thing that has shown since the last time I detailed him is that I appear to have collected a hell of a lot more stone chips along the front, coupled with a previous poor repair to the o/s corner of the spliter I think it is getting long overdue for some paint repairs think I shall have to get that sorted in the not too distant future
So that's the end of the uninteresting update, please let me know what you think postive or negative
Oh and all work on the car was done by me personally no machines other than a hoover
Ta,
Andy
Well unfortunately my update is no where near as exciting as previous updates
After deciding that I would give Damien my undivided attention and after covering 3,000 miles since the last engine oil and filter change I thought it would be a good start to a car attention weekend by doing an engine oil and filter change. Russ @ RT's very very kindly sent me two 5 litre cans of Silkolenes finest engine oil and not one but two filters genuine of course
, After completing the oil change and general check over underneath I set about cleaning him. I vac'd the interior, treated the leather and trimmed the alcantara trim where it had gone bobbly. I also removed the switch gear in the centre console dash and cleaned all around the switches and radio to remove the build up of dust etc, polished all windows inside. Then outside gave the car a good wash with the usual methods then polished and sealed the bodywork and wheels. Then under the bonnet did and general wipe over to remove any dirt build up on the easy to get to areas. So after spending the bank holiday giving Damien a well deserved shake down and spruce up I thought I would post a couple of shots I took this evening before I ran out of light as I didn't get a chance yesterday.
Definately need to get those arch liners off and arches detailed as from this angle they look filthy even though I cleaned them out, all you can see is the original Volvo underseal slapped on in good old Volvo style which I need to get sorted!
One thing that has shown since the last time I detailed him is that I appear to have collected a hell of a lot more stone chips along the front, coupled with a previous poor repair to the o/s corner of the spliter I think it is getting long overdue for some paint repairs think I shall have to get that sorted in the not too distant future
So that's the end of the uninteresting update, please let me know what you think postive or negative
Oh and all work on the car was done by me personally no machines other than a hoover
Ta,
Andy
13th October 2009
Hi,
Just a little picture update more than anything.
No changes to the car but as I was at the PistonHeads Sunday service meet at Rolls Royce at the weekend and I decided, after Russ took a shot of the Peril there, to pop round the corner and take a shot of the car outside the main gate at Goodwood race circuit.
Then on the way home I took a detour and took a few shots of the car in the same spot it was in when I purchased it 2 years ago...apart from the weather conditions and the fact I only took the shots on a camera phone this time I think the car definately looks better(almost looks a different colour in the last shot!), not bad considering it's covered in road dirt due to wet weather!
Then (Nov 2007)
Now (Oct 2009)
Then (Nov 2007)
Now (Oct 2009)
I was also impressed at how closely the boot badges line up considering I replaced them with new ones in as close as I can remember the same place as before
Hi,
Just a little picture update more than anything.
No changes to the car but as I was at the PistonHeads Sunday service meet at Rolls Royce at the weekend and I decided, after Russ took a shot of the Peril there, to pop round the corner and take a shot of the car outside the main gate at Goodwood race circuit.
Then on the way home I took a detour and took a few shots of the car in the same spot it was in when I purchased it 2 years ago...apart from the weather conditions and the fact I only took the shots on a camera phone this time I think the car definately looks better(almost looks a different colour in the last shot!), not bad considering it's covered in road dirt due to wet weather!
Then (Nov 2007)
Now (Oct 2009)
Then (Nov 2007)
Now (Oct 2009)
I was also impressed at how closely the boot badges line up considering I replaced them with new ones in as close as I can remember the same place as before
8th November 2009
Well I have just started my 3rd year of Volvo ownership so I guess it's time for another update to kick it off with a couple of little updates for the project thread.
As I recently posted I have started getting involved with the PistonHeads meets and I thought it would be rude not to put a couple of little tasteful PistonHeads stickers on the car to help show my enthusiasm towards the site
Now I am not a major fan of stickers as such and prefer to keep it as subtle as possible so I fitted the classic symbol on the cold air feed behind the radiator grille which means unless your really looking for it you can't actually see it
and then a sticker on the strut brace also again not in your face
Then this happened
I had only covered just over 6,000 miles but it was a year since the last service so it was time for a trip to RT's for an annual service and another little modification.
Now firstly I would like to say thank you to Kerry T-5R and Russ for my following modification as without their helpful inputs I would probably have still been a non believer.
They both claimed that you would not believe how much of a difference the IPD antiroll bars would make to the cars handling. Now me thinking what can a slight difference in antiroll bars make to the cars handling, how wrong could I have been, was very skeptical of this modification. However having now had these fitted I can only recommend them to anyone thinking about doing such a modification.
Being as there are no quoted figures on the IPD website I thought I would measure the standard bars that came from my car to compare the difference between the factory bars and IPD bars.
Front roll bar - (Factory) 21mm - (IPD) 25 mm
Rear roll bar - (Factory) 22mm - (IPD) 22 mm
So the kit
I also opted for the larger IPD drop links, the standard links being 10 mm and the IPD links being 12 mm, I had been in conversation via pm with St5ve on here and it was something he asked during the discussion and after talking to Russ @ RT, who had already ordered them just in case knowing what I am like, it became clear to get the best from the bars that it would be silly to leave the standard Volvo drop links in place.
You can see the difference in size between the two in this picture
The standard front bar vs. the IPD bar I think you will agree there is a noticable difference between the two...
Then the rear bar which despite the fact that both the Volvo version and IPD's version appear to be the same size that is where the similarities end. You can clearly see that IPD have rid their bar of the little kinks producing a completely straight bar therefore allowing for less flex.
So with these bars now fitted how does the car feel on the road? I kid you not after collecting the car and getting within 300 yards of RT's I had already noticed the difference. Just driving along in a straight line on our fantastically straight and smooth UK roads, spot the sarcasm, the car was notably stiffer and then when cornering during normal driving a big percentage of the usual body roll has been deleted. I would now describe the car as being very sure footed on the road making it even more a pleasure to drive than before.
It's fair to say that I now rank the IPD roll bars alongside the Rica as the best two modifications I have done to the car to date. :thumbs_up:
Thanks to RT Mechanics for the usual high level of service and advice on this visit.
Next up coil overs...but not for a while yet.
Well I have just started my 3rd year of Volvo ownership so I guess it's time for another update to kick it off with a couple of little updates for the project thread.
As I recently posted I have started getting involved with the PistonHeads meets and I thought it would be rude not to put a couple of little tasteful PistonHeads stickers on the car to help show my enthusiasm towards the site
Now I am not a major fan of stickers as such and prefer to keep it as subtle as possible so I fitted the classic symbol on the cold air feed behind the radiator grille which means unless your really looking for it you can't actually see it
and then a sticker on the strut brace also again not in your face
Then this happened
I had only covered just over 6,000 miles but it was a year since the last service so it was time for a trip to RT's for an annual service and another little modification.
Now firstly I would like to say thank you to Kerry T-5R and Russ for my following modification as without their helpful inputs I would probably have still been a non believer.
They both claimed that you would not believe how much of a difference the IPD antiroll bars would make to the cars handling. Now me thinking what can a slight difference in antiroll bars make to the cars handling, how wrong could I have been, was very skeptical of this modification. However having now had these fitted I can only recommend them to anyone thinking about doing such a modification.
Being as there are no quoted figures on the IPD website I thought I would measure the standard bars that came from my car to compare the difference between the factory bars and IPD bars.
Front roll bar - (Factory) 21mm - (IPD) 25 mm
Rear roll bar - (Factory) 22mm - (IPD) 22 mm
So the kit
I also opted for the larger IPD drop links, the standard links being 10 mm and the IPD links being 12 mm, I had been in conversation via pm with St5ve on here and it was something he asked during the discussion and after talking to Russ @ RT, who had already ordered them just in case knowing what I am like, it became clear to get the best from the bars that it would be silly to leave the standard Volvo drop links in place.
You can see the difference in size between the two in this picture
The standard front bar vs. the IPD bar I think you will agree there is a noticable difference between the two...
Then the rear bar which despite the fact that both the Volvo version and IPD's version appear to be the same size that is where the similarities end. You can clearly see that IPD have rid their bar of the little kinks producing a completely straight bar therefore allowing for less flex.
So with these bars now fitted how does the car feel on the road? I kid you not after collecting the car and getting within 300 yards of RT's I had already noticed the difference. Just driving along in a straight line on our fantastically straight and smooth UK roads, spot the sarcasm, the car was notably stiffer and then when cornering during normal driving a big percentage of the usual body roll has been deleted. I would now describe the car as being very sure footed on the road making it even more a pleasure to drive than before.
It's fair to say that I now rank the IPD roll bars alongside the Rica as the best two modifications I have done to the car to date. :thumbs_up:
Thanks to RT Mechanics for the usual high level of service and advice on this visit.
Next up coil overs...but not for a while yet.
walter leever said:
Hi mate,i did it the other way round,first coilovers than the ipd bars.And as you said with this set-up(ipd endlinks too)the car goes like on rails,rear joy to drive(made a huge difference)
gr,walter.
ps,must do some undersealing aswell(looking at yours,sweeeeeeeeeeeeeetttt.)
Cheers for the positive comments as always Walter gr,walter.
ps,must do some undersealing aswell(looking at yours,sweeeeeeeeeeeeeetttt.)
14th August 2010
Hi all, very minor update at the mo.
After seeing the LED number plate lights and front side lights fitted to the Peril, RT Mechanics demo car, I decided I wanted a set for mine. So I decided to take some pre and post shots of the car to show the differences although in fairness the one thing my camera can't do is take a good picture at night...
I can't believe how much more light is provided by the LED's the light is a lot more white and as a result adds a slight amount of modern appearance to the rear...if that's even possible on a 13 year old Volvo. A good result and done with a very small cost.
I have also done another not so cheap thing to the car this weekend also. After discovering this
whilst cleaning the car last weekend I thought enough is enough. In the three years of having the car I have had to replace two Pirelli tyres due to bulging side walls and I wasn't prepared to waste anymore money on them. Granted the current road situation isn't helping but the first tyre I had to have replaced was not as a result of hitting anything and when I spoke to my local tyre dealer they did say it wasn't unheard of. So after taking advice from Kerry T-5R I decided to purchase a full set of Yokohama Parada Spec 2's with the reinforced sidewalls. I haven't really driven the car very far since replacing them but the grip level is certainly enhanced. Whether that is a result of the increase in tyre size, 205 up to 215, or the make up and tread pattern of the Yokohama I don't know but certainly money well spent. I also had a full alignment check done and just as well I did because the front and the rear alignment was out. Not sure if it's in my head but the car feels like it is driving better now
Here are a couple of pic's if nothing else they certainly look better than the P Zero's
So thanks to Russ @ RT's for sorting the LED's, Kerry T-5R and Barry for the tyre advice
That's all for now
Hi all, very minor update at the mo.
After seeing the LED number plate lights and front side lights fitted to the Peril, RT Mechanics demo car, I decided I wanted a set for mine. So I decided to take some pre and post shots of the car to show the differences although in fairness the one thing my camera can't do is take a good picture at night...
I can't believe how much more light is provided by the LED's the light is a lot more white and as a result adds a slight amount of modern appearance to the rear...if that's even possible on a 13 year old Volvo. A good result and done with a very small cost.
I have also done another not so cheap thing to the car this weekend also. After discovering this
whilst cleaning the car last weekend I thought enough is enough. In the three years of having the car I have had to replace two Pirelli tyres due to bulging side walls and I wasn't prepared to waste anymore money on them. Granted the current road situation isn't helping but the first tyre I had to have replaced was not as a result of hitting anything and when I spoke to my local tyre dealer they did say it wasn't unheard of. So after taking advice from Kerry T-5R I decided to purchase a full set of Yokohama Parada Spec 2's with the reinforced sidewalls. I haven't really driven the car very far since replacing them but the grip level is certainly enhanced. Whether that is a result of the increase in tyre size, 205 up to 215, or the make up and tread pattern of the Yokohama I don't know but certainly money well spent. I also had a full alignment check done and just as well I did because the front and the rear alignment was out. Not sure if it's in my head but the car feels like it is driving better now
Here are a couple of pic's if nothing else they certainly look better than the P Zero's
So thanks to Russ @ RT's for sorting the LED's, Kerry T-5R and Barry for the tyre advice
That's all for now
22nd August 2010
Right quite a few little bits to detail so I will seperate the posts for the seperate items I have done,
To start with a very boring update I have had a new Volvo windscreen fitted as the old original one looked little like it had been through the wars and I picked up a nasty chip not long ago meaning the demise of the original.
At the same time I had new roof trims and end caps because the paint was just starting to crack and it seemed rude not to..
Right quite a few little bits to detail so I will seperate the posts for the seperate items I have done,
To start with a very boring update I have had a new Volvo windscreen fitted as the old original one looked little like it had been through the wars and I picked up a nasty chip not long ago meaning the demise of the original.
At the same time I had new roof trims and end caps because the paint was just starting to crack and it seemed rude not to..
Then a modification to the car I have been meaning to do ever since I noticed BobbyCH annouced he did it.
An aerial down switch so the aerial can be kept down when listening to CD's, I wanted a proper loom and switch to just plug and play so I contacted my local dealer and they were helpful enough but all I could get was the actual switch from a later 960/90 car, so would match the 850 switches, but nothing else. I purchased this and away I went to rethink. It then occured to me that Rufe did a mail order online request service so I thought an email expressing my wants would do no harm and as expected he came up top trumps. Apparently the C70 had the option of fitting an aerial down switch and as a result a complete kit was originally available to fit. Unfortunately Volvo have since discontinued the kit but again Rufe came up top trumps and was able to supply me with the loom, which is still available, and this is a direct fit into the 850. So now I have a fully working Volvo original aerial down switch.
The switch, looking right at home
The loom
As mainy of you know I am planning a trip to Scotland in the car and felt that the 6 disc CD changer wouldn't be enough for the total trip so I decided to have a BobbyCH modified Volvo SC-801 so I can use my MP3 player in the car for the trip again a nice subtle modification helping to keep the overall look inside the car original. :thumbs_up:
So big thanks to Rufe and BobbyCH for the supply of these items both very pleasant and efficient to deal with, Bobby the stereo works superbly, sound is very clear just like a CD, so let me know about payment please :thumbs_up:
An aerial down switch so the aerial can be kept down when listening to CD's, I wanted a proper loom and switch to just plug and play so I contacted my local dealer and they were helpful enough but all I could get was the actual switch from a later 960/90 car, so would match the 850 switches, but nothing else. I purchased this and away I went to rethink. It then occured to me that Rufe did a mail order online request service so I thought an email expressing my wants would do no harm and as expected he came up top trumps. Apparently the C70 had the option of fitting an aerial down switch and as a result a complete kit was originally available to fit. Unfortunately Volvo have since discontinued the kit but again Rufe came up top trumps and was able to supply me with the loom, which is still available, and this is a direct fit into the 850. So now I have a fully working Volvo original aerial down switch.
The switch, looking right at home
The loom
As mainy of you know I am planning a trip to Scotland in the car and felt that the 6 disc CD changer wouldn't be enough for the total trip so I decided to have a BobbyCH modified Volvo SC-801 so I can use my MP3 player in the car for the trip again a nice subtle modification helping to keep the overall look inside the car original. :thumbs_up:
So big thanks to Rufe and BobbyCH for the supply of these items both very pleasant and efficient to deal with, Bobby the stereo works superbly, sound is very clear just like a CD, so let me know about payment please :thumbs_up:
Over the course of the last year I have suffered with loss of gas from the air conditioning system, the car had developed a leak inside necessitating the removal of the dash board to access. Now being a bit of a creature comforts lover I had to get it working again even if the better part of the summer has already passed! I guess there is always next year :thumbs_up:
Anyway as you can see below all of the dash and major components have to be removed to gain access
Once the dash was removed it was clear to see why the air conditioning was loosing gas...
Over the course of the last 14 years the evapourator has collected a lovely amount of dust and seeds, this accompanied with the condensation that collects on the evapourator when the air conditioning is in use helped to corrode the evapourator and allow the gas in the system to escape. This was helped by the fact that the car has never had a pollen filter fitted, so now it has
Prior to stripping the dashboard out it was suggested that the matrix was renewed at the same time....
Just as well it was renewed as there wasn't much life left in this...
Then the dash was refitted and work to the air conditioning continued under the bonnet.
Unfortunately as a result of constant rapid cycling, due to an almost worn out clutch, the compressor had also seen better days so was removed and renewed along with the clutch. At the same time it is always advised the receiver drier, the air condition systems filter, is replaced so that was also renewed. So now the system is working at it’s optimal and hopefully for many more years to come.
Thanks to Russ and team at RT's for the work to the air conditioning it's lovely to have it working properly again and with the new compressor fitted you can barely notice the compressor cycling when compared to the original unit. :thumbs_up:
Anyway as you can see below all of the dash and major components have to be removed to gain access
Once the dash was removed it was clear to see why the air conditioning was loosing gas...
Over the course of the last 14 years the evapourator has collected a lovely amount of dust and seeds, this accompanied with the condensation that collects on the evapourator when the air conditioning is in use helped to corrode the evapourator and allow the gas in the system to escape. This was helped by the fact that the car has never had a pollen filter fitted, so now it has
Prior to stripping the dashboard out it was suggested that the matrix was renewed at the same time....
Just as well it was renewed as there wasn't much life left in this...
Then the dash was refitted and work to the air conditioning continued under the bonnet.
Unfortunately as a result of constant rapid cycling, due to an almost worn out clutch, the compressor had also seen better days so was removed and renewed along with the clutch. At the same time it is always advised the receiver drier, the air condition systems filter, is replaced so that was also renewed. So now the system is working at it’s optimal and hopefully for many more years to come.
Thanks to Russ and team at RT's for the work to the air conditioning it's lovely to have it working properly again and with the new compressor fitted you can barely notice the compressor cycling when compared to the original unit. :thumbs_up:
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