fixup questions for "new" 88 240 wagon

[Raymond Cruz]

I recently bought an '88 240 wagon with 234K for 1K. I have some fixup
questions.

1. I need to adjust the parking brake before inspection. Other postings
directed me to remove the parking brake console by removing the two screws
at the side rear, lifting the back slightly and pushing forward to clear the
front hook. Looking carefully inside the console I can see that there are
some slightly curved slots in the side that engage posts so the console is
positioned correctly front to back. I can not lift the console high enough
for the slots to clear the posts and I don't want to force it because I'm
sure the console would start cracking. Is there a trick that I'm missing?

2. I've driven the car 2000 miles mostly on short trips. On two occasions
the temperature gauge has gone unusually high and has approached the red
zone so I stopped for a while to cool off. Is the likely cause a thermostat
that's getting stuck or maybe an electric fan that's not coming on?

3. I'm leaking oil from the bottom. I took the car in for diagnosis/repair
and the mechanic's conclusion after a visual inspection was a bad rear main
seal. Both the mechanic and other NG postings say this is a 6 hour job --
seems like the (auto) tranny must be dropped among other things. I didn't
get the repair done because the mechanic (reliable Volvo specialist) had no
seals in stock. Is this an unreasonable job for a solo weekend mechanic or
should I go back to the mechanic?

4. I frequently but not always hear a high pitched whine from the rear that
increases in volume with speed. What are the possible causes?

Thanks, Ray

 

[Rod Gray]

I recently bought an '88 240 wagon with 234K for 1K. I have some fixup
questions.

1. I need to adjust the parking brake before inspection. Other postings
directed me to remove the parking brake console by removing the two screws
at the side rear, lifting the back slightly and pushing forward to clear the
front hook. Looking carefully inside the console I can see that there are
some slightly curved slots in the side that engage posts so the console is
positioned correctly front to back. I can not lift the console high enough
for the slots to clear the posts and I don't want to force it because I'm
sure the console would start cracking. Is there a trick that I'm missing?

Remove the rear cover on the console. Just use a ratchet and a long
extension to tighten the nots on the cable.

2. I've driven the car 2000 miles mostly on short trips. On two occasions
the temperature gauge has gone unusually high and has approached the red
zone so I stopped for a while to cool off. Is the likely cause a thermostat
that's getting stuck or maybe an electric fan that's not coming on?

First check the wiring on the sending unit. The insulation cracks and
grounds out to the block causing the guage to go high. Make sure the aux fan
for the condensor is running.

3. I'm leaking oil from the bottom. I took the car in for diagnosis/repair
and the mechanic's conclusion after a visual inspection was a bad rear main
seal. Both the mechanic and other NG postings say this is a 6 hour ob --
seems like the (auto) tranny must be dropped among other things. I didn't
get the repair done because the mechanic (reliable Volvo specialist) had no
seals in stock. Is this an unreasonable job for a solo weekend mechanic or
should I go back to the mechanic?

Park the car for a few hours. See where the stain is. If it is under the
front of the engine it is the front seals. If from the rear, you must
inspect closley to see if it is the front seals and it is running to the
rear or coming from the transmission which would indicate a rear main seal.
The rear main does pay 6 hrs. flat rate but a good Volvo mechanic can do it
in 3 hrs.

4. I frequently but not always hear a high pitched whine from the rear that
increases in volume with speed. What are the possible causes?

I have replaced only 1 diff on a 240 in 15 years. Pull the fill screw on the
rear end. Fill it until the gear oil runs out. Might solve your problem.
Could be a whinney wheel bearing .

 

[James Sweet]

Park the car for a few hours. See where the stain is. If it is under the
front of the engine it is the front seals. If from the rear, you must
inspect closley to see if it is the front seals and it is running to the
rear or coming from the transmission which would indicate a rear main seal.
The rear main does pay 6 hrs. flat rate but a good Volvo mechanic can do it
in 3 hrs.

One other thing to check if it's the rear, see if it's leaking from the back
of the valve cover and drizzling down the back of the block, had this happen
on my 240 a few years ago.