What would you do with a 1983 Volvo 240 GL...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve Lawrence
  • Start date Start date
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Steve Lawrence

.....To get the best life from it? This car has 172,000 miles,
and I've got the money to fix it up. It runs now, but I'm eyeing
repairs that will help avoid breakdowns on long highway trips.

I've already decided on a new water pump, and a new timing belt.

What else am I missing?

TIA,

Steve
 
yep...your on the right track....good shoes (tyres), check
belts, hoses, fluids...I like to slap on some IPD parts...like the anti
sway bars and the leather steering wheel cover ...extra goodie...check
shocks/struts and cycle the oil and tranny fluid ..get a cell phone and
your all set...
 
You didn't say if you just acquired the car or have had it a while so
assuming it's new to you...
A tune up is nice.
While you're in there doing the water pump and timing belt, replace all
the belts, hoses, filters, fluids, cap, rotor, and wires, and thermostat.
If the radiator is the least bit questionable, replace it. It's easier
to do most of the above with it out anyway.

Check (replace as required) Tires, brakes, U joints, suspension
bushings, shocks, rod ends, motor and tranny mounts, exhaust system.

Go through the fuse box and clean the corruption off the fuse sockets.
Get some extra fuses.

Put a headlight relay in it. The headlight switch in my '83 failed one
night as I was leaving work. Drove it home on the high beam flasher.
If it had crapped the prior weekend, I'd have been spending the night in
the desert.
 
Clay said:
You didn't say if you just acquired the car or have had it a while so
assuming it's new to you...
A tune up is nice.
While you're in there doing the water pump and timing belt, replace all
the belts, hoses, filters, fluids, cap, rotor, and wires, and thermostat.
If the radiator is the least bit questionable, replace it. It's easier
to do most of the above with it out anyway.
Click to expand...

oops... forgot the fan clutch.
 
Steve Lawrence said:
....To get the best life from it? This car has 172,000 miles,
and I've got the money to fix it up. It runs now, but I'm eyeing
repairs that will help avoid breakdowns on long highway trips.

I've already decided on a new water pump, and a new timing belt.

What else am I missing?
Click to expand...

What you mentioned and the hits and tips of others are all spot on. I
kight add that you should visit a pink and pull yard and get some
spares. Particularly a spare air mass meter- sure, call me paranoid,
but I carry one spare in the car and have two more spares on the
shelf. You get that way after spending two weeks trying to trace down
a problem and have it be the AMM. A ten minute switch and the car ran
like new.. well much better anyway.

I also carry a spare ignition module and fuel pump relay.
__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"
 
Steve said:
....To get the best life from it? This car has 172,000 miles,
and I've got the money to fix it up. It runs now, but I'm eyeing
repairs that will help avoid breakdowns on long highway trips.

I've already decided on a new water pump, and a new timing belt.

What else am I missing?

TIA,

Steve
Click to expand...


Resolder the fuel pump relay, check the engine wiring harness, measure
the amp draw of the main fuel pump, check the brakes and suspension
bushings, the rest is just standard tuneup stuff.
 
Clay said:
oops... forgot the fan clutch.
Click to expand...


Nah, just replace that if it fails, it won't leave you stranded. If it
does fail to engage you could make a temporary fix with some twine or
wire, or just keep the speed up so the fan isn't necessary.
 
James said:
Nah, just replace that if it fails, it won't leave you stranded. If it
does fail to engage you could make a temporary fix with some twine or
wire, or just keep the speed up so the fan isn't necessary.
Click to expand...

agreed... but since it's already out of the car (when changing the water
pump) might as well change it.
 
This model year used the "environment-friendly" wiring insulation that
crumbled into dust and led to electrical shorts and grounds. At this date,
there's a good chance that the wiring harness in the engine bay has already
been replaced or repaired with more durable wiring, but it should be
inexpensive to have this checked by an experienced Volvo 240 mechanic who
will be very familiar with this all too common problem. This problem has
left many a driver stranded or frustrated with mysterious electric problems.
Upgraded wiring harnesses are available from aftermarket suppliers.
 
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