Hi, I have a queston regarding a 1996 850 Turbo wagon. It has 182000 miles and the engine runs and is driveable but it skips, the center cylynder has low compression. Any prognosis and cure? Thanks, Noel

Low compression and skipping do not necessarily go together.

Unless the compression is dreadful, I would assess and correct the skip.

What did the plugs look like?

How long have you had the car? I have seen good maintenance improve compression.(Maybe the testing was better at a later date.) I have a high milage 740 that had one bad cylinder 6 years ago, now it has three, but it runs quite well, passes emission tests, and goes pretty good. It is my favorite of the four we own, and as a matter of fact, three out of four of our drivers prefer it to the three other Volvos that we drive.

There are a lot of things to check before you tear the engine apart.
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2 8s & 2 7s 600,000 miles total

You'll have to remove the cylinder head but before you do, have the engine checked with a cylinder leak down tester as that'll help determine where you're losing compression (intake or exhaust valve or rings). Any decent shop that does engine repairs should have one.
I'd guess that you have a burned valve.