Hi:
I have a 1991 Volvo 240. I'm looking for a decent and honest garage that can do Volvo repairs. I'm near Galludett University which is approx. a 1/2 mile from Union Station. Florida ave and NY ave. area

Any assitance would be appreciated

I got a lead on this shop. Can anyone provide me any feedback on it:

New Concept Auto Repair
2210 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
202 832-6720

It's just off of Rhode Island Ave. NE and East of North Capital Street NE

Thank You

Thanks to all for the tips.

I may reach out to some of you local D.C. folks for some questions

Mr. Tool

Mr. Tool-

I'm right around the corner from you (4th and K NE), and would be happy to help you if you're interested in doing some of the work yourself. I'm not a Volvo 2xx expert (I've only had the thing for three weeks), but I've already replaced the entire front suspension (I have a 12-ton shop press), done the timing belt, pump and tensioner, new intake and throttle body gaskets, new oil trap and PCV lines, and new rear shocks and springs. Gearing up to do the rear bushings next week.

If I have to take a car to a shop, I either go to 10th ST Auto (at 10th and Maryland NE) or Capitol Hill Auto (6th and Independence SE). They're both pretty good, though I have had small issues with each (CapHill *LOVES* to leave hose clamps loose and 10th ST uses RTV as their all purpose fix). I'll ping my friend who had a 142 and had found some crazy old Volvo mechanic up in Silver Spring (I think) to work on it. No one else in the city would touch the carbs.

Let me know if I can help out.
Z
--
93 240 170k, 97 850GLT 165k

Wish I could help, but I don't get to DC often and do not know any shops that far north. The only Volvo specific shop I trust is in Woodbridge VA, maybe 25 miles to the south. The guys there have been in operation for decades and were Volvo techs at Don Beyer back when 240s were about the only thing Volvo sold. They are honest.

Woodbridge Motorcars: 703 494-9215

Don't know if that helps. Otherwise, pretty much any shop in the world can do the basic maintenance and repairs on a Volvo 240 - they exude "car-ness." Meaning that you can look up textbook examples of basic automotive systems and quite often, they could be pictures of a 240. There are some make/model specific quirks, and it definitely helps to know the car well when dealing with serious electrical gremlins, but if you just need mechanical work done, anybody can do it.

Maybe you could tell us what the problem is that you are looking for a mechanic and we could better advise?

From personal experience (not with this shop or any DC mechanic) if the there is a trusted experienced Volvo specialist...he is never too expensive or too far away if you do not do your own work. A mechanic that has worked on lots of RWD Volvo's like charges actual time worked instead of book hours so on those times where they have the "Volvo special tool ####" or a homemade version of same, they will save you HOURS of shop time over a mechanic not familiar with the archaic suspension and incomprehensible (to someone used to using a scanner) ODBI codes.

Besides, you could just go to the mall while the car is in the garage in Woodbridge...I here it is safe again.

Uncle Mr. Tool,

Unknown as to the auto repair facility you list. I'd not ever been to the D of C.

You may want to use the i-net and search for opinion on the shop and the BBB.

On the board of brick matters (brickboard), we have (http://www.brickboard.com/SHOPS/) for shops posted by brickboard users.

Else, we have http://www.volvomechanics.com/,

Specifically, for you in the D of C, (http://www.volvomechanics.com/near/washington-dc/).

You may want to search this site for other repair facilities that treat Volvos in nearby states (MD, VA, and so forth). Also, like I already wrote, research the shop by name. Use Bing (A Washington State product), Google, and look at other import auto sites. Like if the repair facility website says they treat BMWs or another make in addition to Volvos, search the enthusiast boards for comments about that repair facility and opinion review, ratings, and rankings like the Yelp website.

You also have the brickboard and, of course, you have the Bently Volvo 240 service manual, so, why not ask the brickboard for ideas to help you solve your problem? I can only imagine auto shop labor rates and parts markup in the D. of C. is wholly outrageous.

Don't exclude looking at a local Volvo stealership, I mean, the Volvo dealership. You have several in the D. of C. area and maybe one can help while not costing you half or more of your mighty, if awesome, 1991 Volvo 240 (I have a 1991 240 allslow, my babe).

Caveat emptor.

Hope that helps.

Questions?

Buttermilk.
--
And Sourdough.

Fairfax Circle area Virginia
Mark at Swedish Imports is a great place to have your Volvo serviced
he is not cheap but very good.
he will take time to review your options when a repair is necessary.

Swedish Import Service - Mark Weisman - 703.591.2264 - 3160-A Spring St