Volvo AWD 850 Forum

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850 advice needed 850

posted by  guyprich on  Thu Sep 8 14:11 CST 2011
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last visit: Mon Dec 12 22:16 CST 2011
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Well my son has crashed/totaled my pristine 1994 940. I have been looking for a replacement but I haven't been able to find one in as good of condition to replace the crashed car so I am thinking of expanding my search to the front wheel drive series of Volvos of which I know nothing. (I have a 2003 S60 and it has been flawless so I haven't had occasion to learn up on the front wheel drive models.)If I were to start looking at the 850 series, for instance, what should I be looking at? Are there inherent problems with any of the model years? Since I did all of the maintenance (and I mean ALL) on my 940, can I do the same on the front wheel drive models? Keep in mind I am looking for a really cherry, fairly low mileage model and I need guidance as to potential problems, etc. Any help and advice is appreciated.

Guy P.








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    850 advice needed 850

    posted by  someone claiming to be fixit 2002 on  Fri Sep 9 07:01 CST 2011 [RELATED]

    ONLY stick to '96-'97 850's! In addition to what has allready been posted odometer gears fail. Wiper arms bend. Also check the timing belt replacement interval. Unlike the "red block" this engine is an "interference" type. Newer models have a 60K miles period so check if it is due or not. Though it's not THAT big a job and you sound like you could handle it. Of course check the tranny fluid for signs of burning. The tranny on the 850's does have a "sport" mode that would be VERY tempting for your son to use. The newer year trannys do seem to handle it better. Make sure the AC system has an intake air filter otherwise the evap unit will get plugged up. Make sure you grease the door stays. They can bind up and tear out the sheet metal.








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      850 advice needed 850

      posted by  jwalker on  Fri Sep 9 07:49 CST 2011
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      last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
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      I disagree that you should only consider 96-97 850's. I bought a 95 850 2 years ago and it has been the best used car I have ever bought. Did nothing to it the first year other than flush the tranny. Just did a radiator in March. It needs a few things, but what 16 year old car with 185k doesn't? So far I have spent less money on it than I did on my 90 240 at the same stage of life.

      Avoid the 93's. Trannies can go bad and some parts specific to that year.

      93 and some 94 850's have a 50k timing belt interval. Later 850's have a 70k interval. I think around 99 - 2001 Volvo switched to a 105 or 110k interval.

      It is very important to buy an 850/V70 that has been well maintained. They are are more expensive to fix (generally) than the RWD cars so proper maintenance is crucial. They are, however, safer and more fun to drive than the RWD cars!

      Also consider the 98-2000 S70/V70's. 98's are the best because they still use a mechanical throttle like the 850's. As mentioned, check the throttles (ETM) on the 99-2000 to see if they have been done. Otherwise they are good cars.

      DIY maintenance - More difficult than RWD but doable up to 2000. 2001+ cars are much more electronically complex than the early cars.








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    850 advice needed 850

    posted by  jadnhm on  Fri Sep 9 06:38 CST 2011
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    last visit: Tue May 22 18:03 CST 2012
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    General advice when looking for reliability:

    - avoid the 1993 - too many weird parts.

    - avoid 1999-2000 mainly for Electronic Throttle issues. If you can find one with a yellow label or Xemodex repaired ETM it's probably fine though.

    - avoid 2001-2002 for transmission issues (software issues mainly, only on 5sp trans. Some 2000s had the same 5sp with the same probs)

    - avoid the early S80s (till maybe 2003+)

    - AWD adds complexity and problems so avoid if you don't need it. AWD became much more reliable in 2003+. Any AWD WILL need it's Bevel Gear oil changed ASAP.

    - Not sure which years has which, but if you get a manual I would personally prefer and external clutch slave as opposed to the internal one which is a ton of work to replace. Unless you find a car that has had this replaced already.

    - whiteblock turbos are much more reliable than the redblock turbos (IMHO)

    - probably the most solid 850s around are the NA (no turbo), manual, 1996-1997 850 (wagon or sedan). Some would include the 1998 S/V70s as well.

    - manual is more reliable than automatic. Every auto you look at WILL need it's fluid flushed ASAP.


    Additional Considerations:

    - 1995 and earlier have push-button-blinky-lights on-board diagnostics. 1996+ has OBD-II

    - failed ABS module is common though easy enough to fix. Search for Vic Rocha on this site.

    - PCV system clogs up. Easiest symptom to spot is smoke puffing out of oil dipstick.

    - hard to spot failed front struts - the springs in these cars are great and can mask it pretty well if you're not used to what the car /should/ feel like.

    - 1995+ has standard side impact air bags

    - whiteblocks need fresh coolant due to all the aluminum.


    That should be enough to get you started. Feel free to run any purchase options by us on the board. KlausC seems to esp have a penchant for helping people through a purchase.
    --
    1998 V70 AWD->FWD->AWD Turbo 220k+







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