What is like to live with one of them? They seem to be available for cheap so I was thinking of getting one for the Challenge and the Lemons rally (have an idea for the theme for the Rally). Problem areas? How are they to work on and drive?
Lots seem to have snapped timing belts (interference motor if my research is right) so I am guessing a timing belt replacement should be something to do after getting it.
Easy to work on. T belt is 2 hours max. Auto trans is the weakest part. As stout as any other Volvo from that era.
the very earliest ETM (electronic throttle module) cars, 98 and 99, had problems with those units, but by now, many have been changed.
pcv is a bitch to service, under the intake manifold. many need it by this point. control arm bushings are common, as are engine mounts, but pretty easy. do the water pump and cam/crank seals while you do the timing belt. hope you don't need to service the evaporator or rear main.
I loved my '95 Volvo 850 wagon.
Get a set of torx sockets and torx bits. You can't even replace a spark plug w/o a torx. The decorative plastic covering the plugs is held on with torx fasterners.
The whole car is built around the AC evaporator.
The ENTIRE dashboard and front seats have to be removed to fix it. So, if the AC does not work,don't expect an easy fix.
I've had two 850s, a 5 speed N/A that was my first car and a Turbo/auto that I got for free from a friend of a friend in college, both sedans. My dad also had an N/A/auto wagon. They're solid cars and generally live up to the Volvo reputation for quality.
It's been 6-7 years since I had my last one, so i might be hazy on some of this, but here's what I can recall: PCV system is really the biggest common PITA issue, along with typical turbo stuff like boost leaks from crumbling rubber boots and vacuum lines. There's a bunch of little rubber elbows on the vacuum lines that probably all need to be replaced. The auto trans is fine at stock power levels, but becomes a liability somewhere around 270-300 hp, give or take. The AWD cars have a bevel gear in the drive train that is suppossedly a weakness. These cars DO NOT rust, but the AC is abysmal even when working right.
The turbo cars are pretty quick and are easy to add power to. You can add a boost controller and up the pressure from 12-15psi on the stock tune for a few extra ponies and noticeably better response, but a cheap tune and exhaust will put you near 250 on the stock turbo. Rods apparently become the limiting factor somewhere north of 350. The big downside is that you're stuck with the auto if you go turbo in this country, but the manual can be swapped. Big sleeper factor.
They're softer in terms of ride and handling than, say, a contemporary 3 series, similar to maybe an E class, but with FWD dynamics. They're good as a highway cruiser or daily and have pretty much the most comfortable seats ever. They're also huge inside for the footprint, even in sedan form. I swear to god I once brought home about 1.75 basketcase dirtbikes in my turbo car after a bit of disassembly. Also, they jump pretty good.
In reply to 93EXCivic :
Im bringing one to the Challenge and would love to find someone to Lemons it afterwards!
Mine leaks oil. Constantly. Not enough to kill the car but it leaves its mark in the garage. Still trying to figure it out but living with it.
Ditto on the PCV service as mentioned above. It's doable but takes some time. Oil cooler lines aren't fun to change either. Make sure to buy better quality lines if you do them. I bought Rock Auto cheapies and blew one going down the highway 3 months later. The crimp of the flex line just let lose and slipped off the hard line. Heater cores on 850s and V70s are a cinch. I've done one in each model and can't believe how simple the job is for a heater core.
Mine has developed a missfire that needs sorting so I've parked it for now. I need to do the timing belt now as well but due to personal financial constraints I'm hesitant to buy the parts and dive into it yet. I also need to do a front and rear suspension refresh (see prior statement as to why I'm waiting). Also, it is a little hard to justify spending $3000 on a car worth $1000 when it's all fixed..... Maybe I'm driving a parts car.
On the upside, they last next to forever. I have a 98 V70 awd WITH the original function rear end with 248k on it. This apparently is uncommon.
westsidetalon said:In reply to 93EXCivic :
Im bringing one to the Challenge and would love to find someone to Lemons it afterwards!
I have an NA 850 sedan 5-speed with a broken rod on #3 cylinder. I've been searching all over CL for a <$500 car as a donor to fix it but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
You can buy my 98 s70 T5 with a MANUAL 5 speed that's already had the t belt, water pump service done, as well as the entire PCV system replaced and 2 new axle shafts put in, right before the trans let go. Hold on, don't leave yet, I have a used trans, clutch a single mass flywheel (upgrade) ready for you to put in and I've got a decent quality manual boost controller on it with an aftermarket boost gauge to monitor it. $1900 and it's yours, all you'll need is good tires (no budget hit right?) and a tuned ecu ($100, so you can turn up boost without fuel cut). Mont Al. Oh, everything mentioned above is true. Many dead whiteblocks out there due to timing belt neglect.
PS, AC is ICE cold
If the AC is out, in this price range, some red devil stop leak will usually take care of it. I used it on my 850 and it worked great for years afterwards.
I like these cars and the wagons are pretty much the perfect size and roominess. The turbo ones have about the most power you’d want for a FWD daily driver. A set of good aftermarket struts wakes up the handling. I put Bilstein HDs on mine and loved it. The FCP control arms didn’t hold up quite as long as I’d like. They were intact but the rubber was cracking.
The PCV isn’t terrible. Get the kit from FCP and it gives you all the gaskets you need. Done in a few hours.
If they were RWD I’d still own one. My Mazda 6 wagon isn’t quite as great but as least it’s a stick.
sirrichardpumpaloaf said:westsidetalon said:In reply to 93EXCivic :
Im bringing one to the Challenge and would love to find someone to Lemons it afterwards!
I have an NA 850 sedan 5-speed with a broken rod on #3 cylinder. I've been searching all over CL for a <$500 car as a donor to fix it but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
what you want is a clean turbo car with a bad trans. Your manual will swap right in and actually be stronger than the automatic
I sometimes think of getting another 850. They were the last of the True Volvos before Ford's DNA got encoded in
I will just reiterate that on these engines you REALLY need to do the cam and crank seals when doing the timing belt. The cam seals have a tendency to fall the f$*% out of the head and dump crazy amounts of oil. 
My ex- had a '95 850 turbo wagon, auto. After the second transmission started go, she dumped it for a Jeep Grand Cherokee with an inline 6.
gas mileage was terrible - rarely got out of the teens.
The front seats were to die for. Some of the most comfortable ever installed in a car.
The aforementioned AC evaporator being the nuclear center of the car pretty much applies to all Volvo's made since the mid 70's.
In reply to Justjim75 :
hmmmm, i have volvo friends in the gump too.....tempting
Justjim75 said:You can buy my 98 s70 T5 with a MANUAL 5 speed that's already had the t belt, water pump service done, as well as the entire PCV system replaced and 2 new axle shafts put in, right before the trans let go. Hold on, don't leave yet, I have a used trans, clutch a single mass flywheel (upgrade) ready for you to put in and I've got a decent quality manual boost controller on it with an aftermarket boost gauge to monitor it. $1900 and it's yours, all you'll need is good tires (no budget hit right?) and a tuned ecu ($100, so you can turn up boost without fuel cut). Mont Al. Oh, everything mentioned above is true. Many dead whiteblocks out there due to timing belt neglect.
PS, AC is ICE cold
Man that is interesting. Let me think about it.
Ian F said:
The front seats were to die for. Some of the most comfortable ever installed in a car.
After driving my 850 for a week, my Father went out and got a V90. It is a nice tank, but not anywhere near as nice to sit in as my 850 was
It just occurred to me I still have a pair of rear Koni yellows from my last 850 lurking somewhere in my garage. If anyone wants them, make an offer...they aren't doing me any good.
In reply to Furious_E :
how many miles and condition? pics?
In reply to stylngle2003 :
Really? Kenny and Sam?
I had a manual S70 for a while after my brother left it for dead at my parents' house- it drove well, the shifter felt surprisingly good, and it was an excellent highway car. The 5 cylinder sounds good with an uncorked exhaust...
In reply to westsidetalon :
Not exactly sure on the miles, as I bought them lightly used then ran them on my car for maybe a year or so, guessing maybe 20-30k though. Should be in decent shape from what I recall, but they've been sitting in a box through several moves now and I probably haven't laid eyes on them in a few years. Let me see if I can dig them out tonight and post some pics.
In reply to Justjim75 :
yep, been down there twice for SE meets, but last time was years ago....2008 maybe?
I had a 850 turbo. The amount of money I spent at FCP groton keeping it going was ridiculous.
PCV was part of "stage 0" that's recommended when you first get an 850. Outside of that, it was constant issues. AC like everyone said was one of the biggest. Mine would work when it was 70 degrees out. When it was 90, nothing. There was something funky with the electricals. Mine would burn through fan relays, which would make the car not start. makes sense right? I dont remember all the issues, but I know in the 2 years I had it was 1600$ in parts. Back then Rock wasnt a thing, so swedish parts weren't cheap. My dad had a 850 at the same time. and he was glad to get rid his as well.
When it ran, I loved that car. So comfortable and quiet. It's probably one of my favorite cars I owned to drive.
I had fairly good luck with a '96. I remember having some brake issues but nothing else out of the ordinary. I want to say I reflowed a bunch of solder joints on the abs board. Miss those leather seats. Great for loading cargo in the back. Fairly heavy car, so the fuel economy wasn't so hot.
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