Moving stuff is my (9)Forte
Discussion
Let's start with the headline grabbing click bait. Front engine, rear wheel drive, manual gearbox petrol and turbo-charged.
So far, so PH yes?
Ahem, well, let's put an abrupt end to any excitement that may have generated!
How on earth did we end up here? Well, the AX realistically needs some work (petrol gauge, odometer cable, welding etc.) but this isn't possible as it needs to be in daily use for equine care. The Morris and the Corrado are still off the road pending work (and the former wouldn't make a great daily in all honesty)....
My wife and I both grew up with estates (VWs for me, Volvos for her) and given the lack of G60 Synchro Passats, we started exploring the Scandinavian route!
There was a lot of searching online, an inspection of an.... optimistically priced 850 with some issues and the realisation that I lacked the testicular fortitude to buy the 960 with 2 weeks MOT remaining from a salvage yard (although it was tempting).
This one was discussed in the pub last night and following a phone call this morning, I jumped on a train to Poynton and drove back with this 2.3l LPT in line 4 to York. Then on to Perth.
Good bits?
It's clearly been well looked after, the chap I bought it from has had it 12 years but not racked up enormous miles (it's only just over 100k).
The bodywork looks good and rot free.
The velour interior is in good nick
The load space is cavernous, and we plan to use it instead of a camper van!
Bits requiring attention?
I want to give it a full service as its idling high and the oil is brown.
The cam belt is (over) due a change, although the engine isn't an interference one from my brief research.
There might be a coolant leak from the radiator.
The ABS warning light is on (and apparently has been for years....)
Front headlight wiper blades are missing and there is a scratch in one of the headlights.
The tape player doesn't work
It likes a drink!
It's not very quick, rather thirsty and not particularly PH, but so far, we are big fans having driven about 350 miles today. It's a comfortable place to be and the dog likes it.
Rumours that I have already investigated boost controllers to up the turbo output can neither be confirmed nor denied.
Updates to follow....
So far, so PH yes?
Ahem, well, let's put an abrupt end to any excitement that may have generated!
How on earth did we end up here? Well, the AX realistically needs some work (petrol gauge, odometer cable, welding etc.) but this isn't possible as it needs to be in daily use for equine care. The Morris and the Corrado are still off the road pending work (and the former wouldn't make a great daily in all honesty)....
My wife and I both grew up with estates (VWs for me, Volvos for her) and given the lack of G60 Synchro Passats, we started exploring the Scandinavian route!
There was a lot of searching online, an inspection of an.... optimistically priced 850 with some issues and the realisation that I lacked the testicular fortitude to buy the 960 with 2 weeks MOT remaining from a salvage yard (although it was tempting).
This one was discussed in the pub last night and following a phone call this morning, I jumped on a train to Poynton and drove back with this 2.3l LPT in line 4 to York. Then on to Perth.
Good bits?
It's clearly been well looked after, the chap I bought it from has had it 12 years but not racked up enormous miles (it's only just over 100k).
The bodywork looks good and rot free.
The velour interior is in good nick
The load space is cavernous, and we plan to use it instead of a camper van!
Bits requiring attention?
I want to give it a full service as its idling high and the oil is brown.
The cam belt is (over) due a change, although the engine isn't an interference one from my brief research.
There might be a coolant leak from the radiator.
The ABS warning light is on (and apparently has been for years....)
Front headlight wiper blades are missing and there is a scratch in one of the headlights.
The tape player doesn't work
It likes a drink!
It's not very quick, rather thirsty and not particularly PH, but so far, we are big fans having driven about 350 miles today. It's a comfortable place to be and the dog likes it.
Rumours that I have already investigated boost controllers to up the turbo output can neither be confirmed nor denied.
Updates to follow....
darkyoung1000 said:
Let's start with the headline grabbing click bait. Front engine, rear wheel drive, manual gearbox petrol and turbo-charged.
So far, so PH yes?
Ahem, well, let's put an abrupt end to any excitement that may have generated!
How on earth did we end up here? Well, the AX realistically needs some work (petrol gauge, odometer cable, welding etc.) but this isn't possible as it needs to be in daily use for equine care. The Morris and the Corrado are still off the road pending work (and the former wouldn't make a great daily in all honesty)....
My wife and I both grew up with estates (VWs for me, Volvos for her) and given the lack of G60 Synchro Passats, we started exploring the Scandinavian route!
There was a lot of searching online, an inspection of an.... optimistically priced 850 with some issues and the realisation that I lacked the testicular fortitude to buy the 960 with 2 weeks MOT remaining from a salvage yard (although it was tempting).
This one was discussed in the pub last night and following a phone call this morning, I jumped on a train to Poynton and drove back with this 2.3l LPT in line 4 to York. Then on to Perth.
Good bits?
It's clearly been well looked after, the chap I bought it from has had it 12 years but not racked up enormous miles (it's only just over 100k).
The bodywork looks good and rot free.
The velour interior is in good nick
The load space is cavernous, and we plan to use it instead of a camper van!
Bits requiring attention?
I want to give it a full service as its idling high and the oil is brown.
The cam belt is (over) due a change, although the engine isn't an interference one from my brief research.
There might be a coolant leak from the radiator.
The ABS warning light is on (and apparently has been for years....)
Front headlight wiper blades are missing and there is a scratch in one of the headlights.
The tape player doesn't work
It likes a drink!
It's not very quick, rather thirsty and not particularly PH, but so far, we are big fans having driven about 350 miles today. It's a comfortable place to be and the dog likes it.
Rumours that I have already investigated boost controllers to up the turbo output can neither be confirmed nor denied.
Updates to follow....
Give over that’s as pistonheads as it gets. As far as I’m aware pistonheads doesn’t mean supercar or not welcome. Very cool car. More pics needed. So far, so PH yes?
Ahem, well, let's put an abrupt end to any excitement that may have generated!
How on earth did we end up here? Well, the AX realistically needs some work (petrol gauge, odometer cable, welding etc.) but this isn't possible as it needs to be in daily use for equine care. The Morris and the Corrado are still off the road pending work (and the former wouldn't make a great daily in all honesty)....
My wife and I both grew up with estates (VWs for me, Volvos for her) and given the lack of G60 Synchro Passats, we started exploring the Scandinavian route!
There was a lot of searching online, an inspection of an.... optimistically priced 850 with some issues and the realisation that I lacked the testicular fortitude to buy the 960 with 2 weeks MOT remaining from a salvage yard (although it was tempting).
This one was discussed in the pub last night and following a phone call this morning, I jumped on a train to Poynton and drove back with this 2.3l LPT in line 4 to York. Then on to Perth.
Good bits?
It's clearly been well looked after, the chap I bought it from has had it 12 years but not racked up enormous miles (it's only just over 100k).
The bodywork looks good and rot free.
The velour interior is in good nick
The load space is cavernous, and we plan to use it instead of a camper van!
Bits requiring attention?
I want to give it a full service as its idling high and the oil is brown.
The cam belt is (over) due a change, although the engine isn't an interference one from my brief research.
There might be a coolant leak from the radiator.
The ABS warning light is on (and apparently has been for years....)
Front headlight wiper blades are missing and there is a scratch in one of the headlights.
The tape player doesn't work
It likes a drink!
It's not very quick, rather thirsty and not particularly PH, but so far, we are big fans having driven about 350 miles today. It's a comfortable place to be and the dog likes it.
Rumours that I have already investigated boost controllers to up the turbo output can neither be confirmed nor denied.
Updates to follow....
When I was younger my Dad had a 940 Turbo Diesel thing. He bought it for lugging stuff about for doing up houses.
Sounded like a train from its manual 6 cylinder. Brilliant for transporting friends to and from the pubs in the Dales.
I loved it, loved driving it when I was 18 or so. Epically comfortable. Literally could move anything in it.
Rear wheel drive, and being a teenager there wasn't anything to dislike, except that when the back came round the rear was in a different county, and on narrow lanes in the Dales it felt quite big !
Very PH.
Need more photos !
Sounded like a train from its manual 6 cylinder. Brilliant for transporting friends to and from the pubs in the Dales.
I loved it, loved driving it when I was 18 or so. Epically comfortable. Literally could move anything in it.
Rear wheel drive, and being a teenager there wasn't anything to dislike, except that when the back came round the rear was in a different county, and on narrow lanes in the Dales it felt quite big !
Very PH.
Need more photos !
Edited by blackscooby on Thursday 7th July 11:26
A couple of extra snaps from where we were staying in Perth (lovely hotel).
Having owned the car less then 24 hours, it's done Cheshire to York, then York to Perth and we're now heading further north for a bit.... Wondering if we can put more miles on it in a week than our did between it's last two MOTs
Having owned the car less then 24 hours, it's done Cheshire to York, then York to Perth and we're now heading further north for a bit.... Wondering if we can put more miles on it in a week than our did between it's last two MOTs
My dad had one of these for a few years, maybe a couple of years older than this one, but same colour.
Good memories of it. Was very comfortable, fast cruising, and swallowed a hell of a lot of stuff. It had the rear boot flip up seats as well so could seat 7, though I'm sure it carried a few more in there from time to time as rear seatbelt and passenger numbers weren't so tightly governed.
Also remember my sister sleeping flat out on a mattress on an overnight journey to the South of France one time. I was sitting on the smaller split seat.
Good memories of it. Was very comfortable, fast cruising, and swallowed a hell of a lot of stuff. It had the rear boot flip up seats as well so could seat 7, though I'm sure it carried a few more in there from time to time as rear seatbelt and passenger numbers weren't so tightly governed.
Also remember my sister sleeping flat out on a mattress on an overnight journey to the South of France one time. I was sitting on the smaller split seat.
3 days into ownership, and we're all enjoying it so far (us driving it, the dog sleeping in it).
A list of things to do and check is slowly being drawn up too... (excuse the brain dump below, as always, it's a good reminder for me)
Check turbo bearings for play
Oil and filter change
Cam cover gasket
Oil cap gasket
Air Filter
Gearbox oil change
Rear diff oil change
ABS sensor and lead checks
Brake fluid refresh
Cooling system flush and coolant change
Underseal
Check complexity of timing belt and do/pay someone else
Tyres are 185/65/R15
Fronts are 2017 and matching, rears are 2012/3 and odd.
Swap fronts to rear and replace older after checking spare for age etc.
Quite the list, but the difference between this and the 850 I went to see, is that I actually feel invested in doing jobs on this one!
All these jobs will be after doing the work on the AX though, as there's no escaping the difference in fuel consumption! Nice to find out that the Volvo will run on E10 unlike the AX though!
A list of things to do and check is slowly being drawn up too... (excuse the brain dump below, as always, it's a good reminder for me)
Check turbo bearings for play
Oil and filter change
Cam cover gasket
Oil cap gasket
Air Filter
Gearbox oil change
Rear diff oil change
ABS sensor and lead checks
Brake fluid refresh
Cooling system flush and coolant change
Underseal
Check complexity of timing belt and do/pay someone else
Tyres are 185/65/R15
Fronts are 2017 and matching, rears are 2012/3 and odd.
Swap fronts to rear and replace older after checking spare for age etc.
Quite the list, but the difference between this and the 850 I went to see, is that I actually feel invested in doing jobs on this one!
All these jobs will be after doing the work on the AX though, as there's no escaping the difference in fuel consumption! Nice to find out that the Volvo will run on E10 unlike the AX though!
Yes! So happy to see you picked up a proper barge, absolutely required and an excellent purchase.
More cars = more options and backup when other cars fail.
I have been eyeing 240s recently so very interested to see how you get on - ahem, after the AX though...
Potential steed for LeMans next year? You could get a shed, never mind the tent, in the back.
More cars = more options and backup when other cars fail.
I have been eyeing 240s recently so very interested to see how you get on - ahem, after the AX though...
Potential steed for LeMans next year? You could get a shed, never mind the tent, in the back.
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 10th July 10:51
Spinakerr said:
Yes! So happy to see you pricked up a proper barge, absolutely required and an excellent purchase.
More cars = more options and backup when other cars fail.
I have been eyeing 240s recently so very interested to see how you get on - ahem, after the AX though...
Potential steed for LeMans next year? You could get a shed, never mind the tent, in the back.
Cheers, I'll keep the updates coming! We've managed a shade over 800 miles since picking it up on Wednesday, and the mpg calculations confirm this will not be as cheap as the AX (or the Corrado) on fuel.... More cars = more options and backup when other cars fail.
I have been eyeing 240s recently so very interested to see how you get on - ahem, after the AX though...
Potential steed for LeMans next year? You could get a shed, never mind the tent, in the back.
The jobs list has grown a little, not least the arriving home from the Dales this morning, so find this out the back....
The Dales were splendid however!
Daily service for the thirsty bus while the AX has been awaiting parts. 24mpg is painful, but at least it runs on E10 unlike the AX which demands E5....
Round top visit a friend for their birthday...and the exhaust was looking a little off.
A broken rubber hanger on one side of the rear box was the culprit. I have some silicone ones that I bought for the Corrado (which don't work on there as they melt) which I'll fit when I get the chance. The temporary solution was more primitive though....
Round top visit a friend for their birthday...and the exhaust was looking a little off.
A broken rubber hanger on one side of the rear box was the culprit. I have some silicone ones that I bought for the Corrado (which don't work on there as they melt) which I'll fit when I get the chance. The temporary solution was more primitive though....
While there's a lot to do to the Volvo, that relies on some other stuff happening to make space for it in the back yard....
That didn't happen in thy last couple of days, so I commented myself with replacing the headight wipers, the absence of the O/S one having scratched the headlight.
Perhaps next time...
That didn't happen in thy last couple of days, so I commented myself with replacing the headight wipers, the absence of the O/S one having scratched the headlight.
Perhaps next time...
I had an identical one to this, as a donor, but used it as a test bed for tuning. Amazing fun and practical as anything
With an ezk chip and ecu chip , cone filter, 15psi and backbox removed it made it into a hilariously fast sleeper which made some awesome 90s turbo sounds. The engine now lives in an E30
With an ezk chip and ecu chip , cone filter, 15psi and backbox removed it made it into a hilariously fast sleeper which made some awesome 90s turbo sounds. The engine now lives in an E30
996Keef said:
I had an identical one to this, as a donor, but used it as a test bed for tuning. Amazing fun and practical as anything
With an ezk chip and ecu chip , cone filter, 15psi and backbox removed it made it into a hilariously fast sleeper which made some awesome 90s turbo sounds. The engine now lives in an E30
That sounds like a series of exciting upgrades.... Not sure I'm ready for the just yet, but I do keep looking at how easy it is to get more power. Still, I'm after getting some basic servicing done first, and as I'm short on time, I'll take the little opportunities when the arise....With an ezk chip and ecu chip , cone filter, 15psi and backbox removed it made it into a hilariously fast sleeper which made some awesome 90s turbo sounds. The engine now lives in an E30
Found the replacement oil filler gasket id ordered while tidying, so took 5 minutes out of my domestic God routine to fit it.
Good thing too as the old one was hard and (hopefully) the cause of the oil leak. First step on the PCV check as well....
Then, as it hadn't moved for a couple of weeks, a spin out for a wash and battery top up.
Better!
Pressed the comfy bus into service today for a trip down south to visit family. Essential to have space for the dog, but also to give my Mum a lift out for tea.... Almost managed 25mpg at a gentle cruise down the A1 (but not quite).
We couldn't convey her to the restaurant without giving the car a quick bath though. I didn't do her MX5 though as I ran out of time!
Ticked over 103k miles on the way down too, not even run in!
We couldn't convey her to the restaurant without giving the car a quick bath though. I didn't do her MX5 though as I ran out of time!
Ticked over 103k miles on the way down too, not even run in!
Some time off this week meant dealing with some of the things I'd been wanting to do since getting this, so I (just) squeezed the nose into the back yard after a run around town on some errands to warm the oil through.
The idle was high (1600 rpm) which I thought might be a by-product of proper use with fuel cleaner removing and carbon or old fuel build up from the intake system. It then got higher as the journey continued, peaking at hooligan sounding 2000 which made it sound like a hovercraft with the viscous fan rotating like crazy.
I think this might be related....
Blast.
I'll add a new radiator to the list then.
Managed to get the oil and filter changed (think it was long overdue judging by the colour).
I should have expected the flow capacity from the sump to be high given the 1" sump plug bolt, but safe to say, it exceeded the intake flow capacity of the catch can.
Did the air filter too (a once every four year item according to Haynes) with a genuine Volvo part that a local specialist had on the shelf...
Then it all went wrong.
The ABS light is on and the MOT is due next month. I bought two sensors which are held in place with a small allen headed bolt, but are a push fit with an o-ring.
Like f**k are they.
Heat, penetrating fluid, clamps, mole grips, ball joint separator and lots of bad language, all to no avail.
I thought I was making a breakthrough with a pair of screwdrivers, some spanners and gentle prying....
Ball sacks.
Oh, and the backing plate for the brake disk is so corroded that the wire can no longer attach to it.
No happy ending, it's booked into the garage for them to finish it off and do the timing belt, and the radiator. I needed to make it sometime else's problem, even if that comes at a price....
The idle was high (1600 rpm) which I thought might be a by-product of proper use with fuel cleaner removing and carbon or old fuel build up from the intake system. It then got higher as the journey continued, peaking at hooligan sounding 2000 which made it sound like a hovercraft with the viscous fan rotating like crazy.
I think this might be related....
Blast.
I'll add a new radiator to the list then.
Managed to get the oil and filter changed (think it was long overdue judging by the colour).
I should have expected the flow capacity from the sump to be high given the 1" sump plug bolt, but safe to say, it exceeded the intake flow capacity of the catch can.
Did the air filter too (a once every four year item according to Haynes) with a genuine Volvo part that a local specialist had on the shelf...
Then it all went wrong.
The ABS light is on and the MOT is due next month. I bought two sensors which are held in place with a small allen headed bolt, but are a push fit with an o-ring.
Like f**k are they.
Heat, penetrating fluid, clamps, mole grips, ball joint separator and lots of bad language, all to no avail.
I thought I was making a breakthrough with a pair of screwdrivers, some spanners and gentle prying....
Ball sacks.
Oh, and the backing plate for the brake disk is so corroded that the wire can no longer attach to it.
No happy ending, it's booked into the garage for them to finish it off and do the timing belt, and the radiator. I needed to make it sometime else's problem, even if that comes at a price....
That's a fantastic barge. Good luck on getting it sorted. Having seen your skills and commitment innthebAX and Corrado threads I'm sure you'll have it 100% soon.
ABS sensors are often tough. After a sweary, sweaty session trying to replace one on my clio i gave up and got a professional in.
ABS sensors are often tough. After a sweary, sweaty session trying to replace one on my clio i gave up and got a professional in.
The Volvo has been receiving some attention at the hands of a local garage who has come well recommended by two different people.
It turns out that he spent 10 years at the local Volvo garage some years previously, so knows his way around them.
Cam belt, 2 new ABS sensors (turns out your need to take the disks off when they're that corroded), a reset of the ABS light, 2 new wipers and a new radiator.
Most importantly, a fresh ticket with only a couple of advisories (and I knew about the tyres). He recommends just changing the pads to start with, but I might go crazy and do the discs as well.....
Hoping to get a week off and go away somewhere in November, this may be the perfect transport....
It turns out that he spent 10 years at the local Volvo garage some years previously, so knows his way around them.
Cam belt, 2 new ABS sensors (turns out your need to take the disks off when they're that corroded), a reset of the ABS light, 2 new wipers and a new radiator.
Most importantly, a fresh ticket with only a couple of advisories (and I knew about the tyres). He recommends just changing the pads to start with, but I might go crazy and do the discs as well.....
Hoping to get a week off and go away somewhere in November, this may be the perfect transport....
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