Title says it all.If your car is running fine do you start to replace parts just because they are old? Or do you start to stock some replacement parts in advance of failure? The entire car ages at the same time,FPR,relays,t-stats,CPS,etc.If it ain't broke what do YOU do? I'm not talking about changing fluids and brake pads but if you changed everything that is working fine right now it seems a bit extreme.Until you are on the side of the road,I guess.So do the new parts go in and the old parts become the back-up?Just wondering.
Nelson

It depends on which part you are talking about. In the case of the timing belt/seals/idler-tensioner thing, it's done as preventative maintenance. I do mine at 50K intervals. In fact, I don't remember waiting for anything to actually break before replacing it. I've had damn few things actually break.

Oops.

I'd better correct that to say:
My wife is YOUNGER than me and I'm not replacing her!

I'll agree with that carefully worded statement. I let my sweetie decide if she needs to go to a "tissue mechanic" for routine maintenance or a plastic surgeon for um, "upgrades".

Depends on which car. On wife's car, yes. When she is done with the car and I inherit it, (around 125k miles), it goes to a 'fix what is broken' maintenance schedule. Even transmission oil changes are few and far between by the time it is my car.

Hello All
i was just thinking, most of the posts here pertain to pretty much the same problem as far as stalling, not starting ect.
just a guess but most no go problems are related to 5 items which i replace on my cars.
sure there are other problems that pop up.
wouldnt periodic replacement of the notorious items save alot of posts and situations that leave the faithful volvo nuts on the side of the road, potentially spewing experlatives?
I did not use spell check so take it easy on my there.
Happy new year.
Mike

Mike
Like I said below to your post.

No telling how many rescue missions this approach has saved me, one car is 2 1/2 hours from home.

Dan

What are the 5 items?

For most of our stuff, things are changed at the specified interval... or at least I play the odds. If, in practice, certain parts fail every so often... just replace them.

Costs nothing to follow up on common problems in the FAQ (like reflowing the solder in OD or FP relays)

I usually look for bargains on parts used or new ahead of time.

For cars that we take on road trips, those get a bit more special treatment.... like new fuel pressure regulators (it sucks when they fail). I also bring some spares of the expensive parts (ECU/AMM/etc). Some older parts (like tires) are hand-me downs from the "front line" cars to our "local" cars, so that the front line cars are good to go. I guess in a sense, the cost "per car" is cheaper when you have a fleet of them. ;)

Finally, some parts really should just be replaced because of age. For example, for the last few years, I've been meaning to replace what I was sure was the *original* radiator in the '90 240. About a month ago, I went to replace the motor mounts, and noticed that the radiator had just started leaking. Lucky. I bought a new radiator, and I realized that I saved *nothing* by waiting for the radiator to fail. Whether or not I spent the money then or now, I'd still be out the same amount of money in the end. I guess another more extreme example is, "should I wait for a scary rusty brake junction thingy to fail?"

In the end, a close inspection on (and under!) things will help you figure out what is needed. Suspension and steering stuff you can usually "feel" when driving. Fuel pumps tend to get noisy long before they fail. All that's left are the electronic bits... you can't tell their condition, so have some spares handy.

-Ryan
Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 324k, Dog-mobile, E-codes
1990 245 DL 137k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces, Dracos
1990 744GLE 189K 16-valve project
1991 745 GL 304k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

Got to tell you about my first timing belt change. My wife and I were on the North Cascades Highway in Washington state, miles from the nearest Volvo dealer. I made the comment that the car (1979 240) hadn't given us trouble for a year. Not five minutes later, the car died. We had enough momentum to get to the side of the road. I was a neophyte Volvo mechanic then. A good Samaritan, who used to be a Volvo mechanic, stopped and identified the timing belt as the culprit. We had it towed to a local garage, whose mechanic knew nothing about Volvos. The nearest Volvo shop was over 100 miles away. So, we stayed overnight in Twisp and caught a ride back west of the mountains with a couple of hunters. All that week, I learned all I could about changing the timing belt. We rented a car the next weekend and I replaced the timing belt in 4 hours in the lot of the service station. The station's mechanic kept popping up to check up on me. I believe he was surprised that I could do the job all by myself. Oh, I seem to recall that I didn't have the Volvo special tool (5284) either. I believe I used a long bar to twist through the timing belt for tension (something I don't recommend!). It worked for this emergency repair.

For trips, I carry a spare timing belt, the 5284 tool, RPM sensor (for 940), Power Stage, fuel injection relay, radio suppression relay, multimeter, a lot of tools, and a cell phone.

Oops! On this model (1979 240), did not need the 5284 tool.

Don't need the 5284 tool, but a charged up AAA card is a great tool to have in pocket!

When I acquire a car for a friend - typically for a child to take to college - I replace

- CPS unless it's a new white-dot unit
- timing belt unless I have a receipt for a recent replacement
- in-tank pump & screen
- main fuel filter

Check and replace/ service as needed
- plugs, wires, cap rotor
- fan belts
- brake pads
- 25-amp fuse
- flame trap

This is modified a by distance: if college is 100 miles away, do less; 500+ do more.

On my own cars for local driving I do some of the above but mostly replace as needed.
--
240s: 2 drivers and some parts cars

There is a maintenance schedule in one of the green books but I would inquire here before any major expenditures.

I did just replace Front and Rear Seals on teh engine. I happened to have the Trani down so after 300K miles I thought it was wise to chnage the rear seal while I had access. Only 1 of the three front seals was leaking but I did all three. Teh Rear Cam Puck in the back of the engine I replaced this past Summer just because I made the IPD bracket that helps holds it in and I figured why not start off all new.
Fuel Pressure Regulator.. I replaced at 200K miles and Alternator Brushes too.
The T'Stat, yeah, every 3-5 years I change it. Plugs Wires, Rotor Cap I change out about every 30K miles. So in a sense, yes I replace some stuff before I'm stuck on the road.

I have a maintenance schedule for my family's 7 volvos that is semi-annual.
The schedule includes oil and filter change, belt check, elec. system check, brake system check, all fluids topped off if low. Change tires on certain ones.

Then there is miliage/timed services such as diff/tranny fluid, ball joints, tie rods, suspension bushings, brake fluid.

And last but not least: Full system rebuilds. I do this only when it's a "newer" Volvo with an incomplete history or when one of our orig. cars hits a major milestone, ei: 100K on front suspension including struts, bushings, wheel bearings, rotors, pads, sway bar endlinks, brake hoses, etc.

Doing the fuel system including in-tank pump (inspect sending unit) fuel filter, injector cleaning, new FPR.

Basically I replace parts before they break. Only 1 car has given us a problem and thanks to the BB, I was able to solve it. All of the others have always started and ran flawlessly. I will admit that there has been a couple of times the cars have needed trivial roadside repairs but the car ALWAYS got us home with out major problems.

I do what some of the other Bricksters do and scavenge newer parts from donors in the yards. I've found rebuilt heads, starters, front bushings FPR, RSR, struts, tail lamps, IPD stuff.

When my sister bought her '87 744 GLE M46. It was an orig. owner w/ all of the records but the car was tired. It needed new wiring harness', tail lamps, marker lamps, various interior trim pieces, belts and a tune up. I took the car to my dad's; went into his basement where our cache is and pulled all of the parts I needed to "rebuild" the car into DD status. When stock gets low or I find a good buy then I build up the inventory.

I'm also trying to stockpile parts that I know aren't available anymore and the donor cars are drying up.

As long as gas is available and not too expensive than an alternative. I will be driving my Volvos till the day I die. That's a long way off.

BTW: I've found that living in the city parking in line with SUVs; you always need to keep a spare grill. D#%n spare tire carriers!

When I feel like "stimulating the economy" I buy a 10-pack of Mann filters and a full set of Mintex brake pads.

kourt

I replace anti-freeze every 2 years.
I replace belts and hoses every 3 years.
I replace engine oil every 25,000 mi. or one year, whichever comes first.Oil filter every 5,000 mi. I run synthetic lube in everything I own, including my log-splitter.
I replace ATF, or manual tranny fluid, every 50,000. mi.
I carry a spare fuel pump relay and the two spare fuel pumps along with a spare fuel filter with me and a light toolbox, VOM, Bentley manual, flashlight,some spare fuses, and a "Norwegian creeper", one of those foam mechanic's pads that keeps you off the cold Earth a little bit.
Other than that, I travel pretty light!

Sounds like you got it covered or have learned from a past experience!

I don't know about having it covered, but I have been sitting roadside a couple of times wishing I had the most rudimentary of tools with me. These wonderful 200s are getting to the point that a lot of things can statistically happen to them, and since I choose to keep driving mine, I have stepped up my "on board" inventory. Since it looks funny and is a little awkward to tow a complete spare vehicle around wherever I go, I take my best bet on what might leave me high and dry. It's always a bit of a c*&pshoot, eh?

Come on.How about a trailer that is only the rear half of a 240[trunk]painted to match your car then you can have practically all the spares you would need.Yeah,I'm likeing this idea.

I've always wanted to weld two trunks together so you have access from both front and back of the trailer. Kind of like having two trunks on one axle.

¿OLD? No!! The cars are old too!
I replace oil, timing belts, etc on schedule, other stuff if it fails or shows signs of
incipient failure.
*Exception! Sometimes I will replace an ugly old part with a prettier old part,
especially those parts readily visible, trunk lids, chrome, light lenses, etc.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Hello
i spend alot of time surfing the Junkyards. kinda like treasure hunting.
anyhow if i see a newly replaced part i grab it.
like a newer style power stage (black), new fuel pump relay, crank sensor, RSR relay. O.D. relay, AMM ect.
i replace these parts just because they are newer and keep the spares in the trunk.
having one to seven volvos in the family starting in 95 we have had three breakdowns.
one timing belt slipped, towed one mile home to fix.(my car)
one timing belt jumped a few teeth, fixed on side of road.(my car)
one blew out rubber plug on radiator, now that should have had a zip tie on there to hold it in. fixed on side of road. (daughters car)
most of the parts i mention all are a dollar or three at the mans mall.
always take/took car of wife/kids car better than mine.
dont make sense to me not to do this.
thats my experience.

Mike and I think alike, I do the same thing with my wife's and daughter's cars. No telling how many rescue missions this approach has saved me, one car is 2 1/2 hours from home.

I have a small box of spares and my junk yard tool kit in the trunk. Like a good Boy Scout be prepared!

Dan

i don't, but i will inventory from junkyard shopping many many parts and always carry in the trunk the handful of critical ones which can ruin your day.

I don't either. I'm always trying to see how long they will last and learn what makes 'em die. Nor do I carry parts, or tools* beyond the Volvo kit in the trunk and a test light in the glove box . Which of the eight we have would I outfit with spares anyhow? Have a cell phone. Who says Pontiac has a corner on excitement?

On my daughter's car, we found it had gone 100K in our ownership without plugs or wires - I replaced them, but I think the only thing solved was getting the plugs loose before they became permanent in the head.

*(except on long trips)
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." (W. C. Fields)

I'm with Art, call it lazy, but with 6 cars, 4 on the road, I just barely keep up with things that go wrong (plus I have another life off the BB).
I have never had a bad ignition wire, one failed starter (after 400K miles), a couple alternators. Never seem to get around to needing a fuel filter, but the air filters do get dirty, and I feel guilty and replace them.
O2 sensors definately fail.
But the bottom line for me is, there is no way to predict the next failure at the age of my cars (all well over 200K).
--
84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 93 945 Turbo AW71, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47

I guess I'm in the "experimental" stage too, at least as it pertains to my timing belt. I replaced the engine in my 87 about four years and 70K miles ago with an engine from a 92 with only 75K on it. At that time I replaced the belts tensioner, water pump, seals and any other part I could get my hands on. I kinda sorta remember that maybe the newer engine had the longer lasting belt, but I'm not sure...How long are they supposed to last, anyway? I'm planning on changing it and the other belts as well as the anti freeze when the weather improves.

Maintenance items when it is supposed to be done. Not changing parts just to change them because they are old. Volvo ball joints tie rod ends,harmonic balancer,motor mounts,etc most volvo rubber parts unless they break as the quality of the replacement is really not up to par as you no.

When i purchased my 88 240 in 2002 with 48k on it for 500 bucks,nice.
I saw the belts were replaced(continental)(volvo belts were good for 100k) and assumed the T-belt was changed also,but never checked. So 3yrs later at 70 k when i went to change all the belts and fuel filter it still had the original Volvo t-belt on shiny and as slick as babys behind but with all the teeth intact. So 70 miles 17yrs on the T-belt !!!!

I hope I don't jinx myself, but my 90 has 98k on all of its Conti drive belts. Including the t-belt!!
--
95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale or parts car), 90 244 DL 300k :)

I should have said that just because I do try to stretch the life of replaceable parts, I don't recommend it to others. Your t-belt reminded me. I figured with no seal leaks, I'd just let it ride, knowing it wasn't going to cost me a new motor or anything. Well, the eventual breakdown was not in a safe place close to home. Just the wait for the tow was scary.

Conti belts are what I use, too. I think it is a rare car, even rare 240 Volvo, that serves its second or third 100K miles in the same type of duty as the first, so comparing the life of replacement parts to the life of the original is not always fair. The clearest example of this is the life of exhaust parts once an older car is relegated to short trips.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Marriage is a wonderful institution, once you are ready to be institutionalized. - R. Cooke

I am more willing to let parts on my car get older before replacing them, like the timing belt. I bought my car a few years back and had no idea when the TB was last changed. I looked at it a few times, it looked good then drove it 50K miles before I decided I had pushed it far enough. I changed it a month ago and it looked great but finally realized I would rather replace it in my driveway and not on the side of the road somewhere. The old belt is in my trunk but I have no intention of reusing it unless I am forced to someday on the side of the road. My next TB change will hopefully be in the driveway about 50K miles from now.
Dan