thinking of buying 1992 960 sedan

Im reading alot about the cracked engine blocks on the 1992 960. We
found a 1992 960 with all maintenance records for sale in the dc metro
area. It is a young 165k miles. ;-) If it hasn't had the engine crack
yet, is it safe to assume that this was not one of the defective
engines?

I'm looking at getting it as a daily driver with an average of 1k
miles a week.

thanks,

dan

 

Dan, 1992 is the year that was more likely to have timing belt problems and
lunch the top end of the motor. Make sure it has had a TB change within the
last 20k or plan on doing it immediately. Also, make sure it had the Volvo
TB mod done to it (a balancing flywheel on one of the cams to dampen
vibration? Should have been done for NC at the dealer with the first TB
change.

Good luck,
Chuck B

 

Got a '92 960 with 222,000 kms on the clock. I would have thought, if
the engine block problem was to manifest at all, it would definitely
have done so long ago. I understood it wasn't a case of cracked
blocks, more in the line of porous blocks. So they'd just ooze vital
fluids right through the block. A kind of Ebola for engines.

Otherwise, and timing belts aside, our only problems with the 960 over
the last year have been minor electrical stuff, and the PNP switch -
$400 CDN / $250 US. I doubt we could have made a better choice when we
bought it - roomy, dependable, safe, and still fun to drive. Hard
combination to beat.

Robert Smith

 

Both my 960s needed trannys before 150K, so evaluate it closely.

 

the timing belt is a big issue, if your not sure have it changed, Id be more
concerned about the tranny.ours went at 180,000 and a year later the rebuilt
one, over1800.00 dollars is not much better, its all about the lock up
converter,sometimes it shudders when you come to a stop.it forgets to
unlock,kind of like a manual car when you dont put the clutch in.the steering
rack was also a weak point, and the power seats will develop a mind of their
own. the 940 has the same body, but would probably be way more dependable and
serviceable,i forgot to mention the radiator that was plastic and the neck
where the top hose is attached broke. these have a maximum life of ten years.
but i love my 88 240, not as fancy, but you can always depend on it 250,000
miles, and most everything original. mark