I have a 95 850 Turbo wagon with 170000 miles on it. The car is new to me, just bought it 6 weeks ago. Love the car! But a few problems and questions.
Upon acceleration there is a whine that comes from the right side of the engine, increases with rpm's. Is this the turbo?
I leave a couple of drops of engine oil under the car every time I park.
On this car if the turbo breaks, will the car still be driveable?
Cruise control does not work, fuse is ok, is there a relay for it, and where?
Any help will be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

Your turbo is more towards the left side of the engine as you are driving, and if it the bearing in the turbo is getting loose, it will sound like a jet airplane when it is "winding up" for take off.

Are you absolutely certain the whine is from the engine area? Usually if an alternator bearing is going, you will get some fluctuation in amperage which is generally "felt" somewhat in driveability, and is often sistered with a check engine, SRS, or ABS light (since correct current is needed for so many components). It could also just be a sad belt. You can take a long screwdriver and place it on all of the components under your hood on the right side, the alternator, the power steering pump, the ac compressor, the timing cover, and with your ear on the handle listen for the noise.

If the noise is just generally from the right side...you could also have a hub bearing failing. Shifting the steering to the left or right should slightly alter the noise if this is the case.

On the oil leak...so many options...the turbo return line is suspect as everyone else told you. You can get a dye additive to add to your oil and then with a black light look for your leak.

Hope this helps, and congrats on what I'm sure will be a happy purchase decision. The 95 turbo is one of my faves.

Chris

Peti,
If the whine increases with RPM but not with speed, then it is the TURBO, not a bearing.
The oil tube for the turbo has a tendency to leak a drop or two overnight. Just had mine fixed - $12 parts, $100 labor.
My CC problem was the switch above the brake pedal. Check it for looseness, it's a common problem.

The 95 850T is the best year of them all. I love mine.

Klaus
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95 850, 88 245

The whining will no doubt be a worn bearing, probably on one of the sprockets driven by your drive belt, could be your alternator. To check this area simply pop the bonnet (hood) and follow the sound until your find where its coming from.

The oil leak could be a variety of things not always serious but drive the car up on a kerb and crawl underneath the front,p.s. it may not drip if the car is on a tilt. If you cant find where its coming from then lay a piece of paper or cardboard under the engine at night, in the morning look at where the oil has dripped on it and without moving the paper look directly up to see where its coming from.

They are common for rear crank seals blowing if too much oil is used and the car is driven hard due to the extra high oil pressure caused but it may be something else as simple as a knackered sump plug washer which is ridiculously cheap to sort out, I dont think it will be your turbo though. If the turbo blows as far as i know the car will still run you will just blow white smoke out the tailpipe and obviously power will be as per a normal 2.3 5 cylinder engine. though i may be wrong......as long as the car gets fuel air and a spark it should run at least.

good luck and dont think the worst cos it might be something of nothing.

VT5

I too recently purchased a 850 T5 (97 in my case but the car is about the same). I've read a bunch about the oil return tube from the turbo leaking oil a bit. Seems to be a common deal on these cars but no too expensive to fix. IPDUSA.COM even sells a cheap replacement kit.

As for the noise you are hearing I agree that it could be a bearing from an accessory (alternator / AC etc).

One note to be sure on your new car is the timing belt. Ensure it has been replaced within a reasonable time (not sure what ppl here think that is yet) as if it goes so does the engine..

My question I'm hoping someone here can help me with is: what is best described as a shimmy when I bumps in the road. I've had the tires re-balanced and fully alined. This vibration is really more of a bit of a shutter when I hit normal freeway bumps / holes etc. If I would have to choose it seems to be worse in the rear. Car has 137K mi.

Is there any particular suspension part to check ?

thanks all
Junky

Junky,
Sounds like on of your shocks is on extended siesta.

Klaus
--
95 850, 88 245

check the suspension mounts too...

Thanks for the reply. I guess I will take it to a local Volvo repair shop and ask them to diagnose it, I certainly hope it's something simple and relatively inexpensive as the oil return line to the turbo, and not a main bearing. I will also have them look into the whine from the engine.
I know that the timing belt was replaced at 70K and maybe more recently at 150K or so, just looking at it it seems to be in very good shape, but I will keep an eye on it.
I wish I could help you with the shimmy you are experiencing but hopefully someone smarter than I will come up with a salution.

Good luck and thanks again, Peti