I just picked up a 1993 850 GLT 5-speed with 193k miles. It was $400 since the starter didnt work. I tried to push-start the car (and also pull it with another car) in hopes of getting it started but it seemed that the engine at first was rotating but then after that it seemed that the engine was locked up. Any ideas of what this could be? Im hoping its not a busted timing belt and a lock up due to interfering valve engine.

The people I bought it from said it was running 2 weeks ago.

Any thoughts or recommendations? I think I will take off the timing belt cover and pull the plugs to see whats going on.

Thanks,
FREQ

Well I took a look at the timing belt and it was fine. Pulled the starter out and then the engine now turns over (the starter shaft was wedged and holding the flywheel gear so the engine wouldnt crank).

The car still will not start when I try to PUSH START it (but it will turn over no problem). Any ideas? I pulled the starter out completely, will the engine still be able to start when we push it or do I have to do something with the loose wires to the starter (I just taped them off for now)? Its getting fuel because I checked the pressure relief at the fuel rail and it squirts out. As for spark i cant really check it. I do know the plugs looked crappy and the cap/rotor even crappier. I suspect its an electrical problem, what is the most common culprit for a 1993 850? Coil? Maybe I just need to replace plugs and cap/rotor?

ANy help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!
freq!

Glad to see the camm belt was OK. May be a bad camm rotation sensor?

You need to see if you have a spark, I'm guessing no, so pull the distributor cap and check the wires.

You might be driving soon...

Not a bad price for a parts car.
Of course the car ran 2 weeks ago, but that was before the timing belt broke. I doubt the owner disabled the starter, but a bent valve or 20 will keep the engine from turning over. Trying to push start it will just make matters worse.

Because this is a manual tranny, go out and get an engine from a junk yard. Preferably a high pressure turbo 2.3L from 1994/5 with all wiring intact and its ECU. A fun project!!!

Klaus
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I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)

Hey Klaus-

I was planning on finding a junkyard used engine if it is in fact a timing belt failure. I am anxious to pull the timing belt cover and plugs to find out.

What year engine will fit in a 1993 850 GLT? Only the 1994 and 1995? Will my 1998 S70 T5 motor fit in it? Should be a fun project!

Heck yes!!! Move the 2.3L engine with it's electronics. There might be a few problems if the T5 is an automatic, but then you can look around for an ECU from a manual tranny and make it work great!
Volvo speed and/or turbobricks may have a more diffinative solution. Watch out for spinning front wheels and torque steer!

Klaus
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I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)

Pull the spark-plugs and try again. It's possible the head gasket is gone and the cylinders are hydro-locked with coolant (or fuel).

But I'm betting that it's the timing belt. Sorry.

It's always a BIG roll of the dice buying a car that doesn't run. The car WAS probably running two weeks ago BEFORE the timing belt broke. I wouldn't be surprised if you find the starter deliberately dissabled so that you couldn't detect this problem before you bought the car. The PO's seem like not very ethical people so you've probably lost your $400. Don't ask why I know but it's a really good idea to manually turn over an engine in cars like this before you lay down your money. Put it on e-bay and see what you can get but be up front about it.