Volvo RWD S90-V90 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 10/2017 S90-V90 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

posted by  vp965 on  Wed Oct 4 17:10 CST 2017
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Fri May 2 15:40 CST 2014
[RELATED]

1998 V90, 155K miles, mostly unknown history. Body and interior in a somewhat rough shape, but it drives fine, transmission shifts smoothly, exhaust looks normal (no smoke). Coolant is dirty, but no oily stuff or anything indicating head gasket problems. The dipstick tube is smoking however (PCV problem, apparently), smell gets into cabin, so its rather noticeable. I'm going to check the condition of the PCV inasmuch as I can. New(ish) alternator, radiator and engine mounts. The timing belt is way overdue (last record of change at 70K in 2004). Check engine codes P0130 and P135 indicating problems with oxygen sensor circuits (oxygen sensors appear original). The car was likely used for short trips, so not many miles (60K in the last 12 years...) and has probably been neglected so some extent. I'm looking for a parts car to source the tranny (as far as I can tell, transmission fluid looks good and the thing shifts good as new) but the engine also strikes me as running more smoothly than the one I have (240K on mine, plagued with coolant leaks I can't fix without getting the head off, and transmission not working). The asking price is less than half of what I was quoted for the transmission repair on my car. I'm thinking it's worth taking the risk for that alone (still a lot of work to restore my ailing car but I don't mind the work). Anything else I could check to figure out whether the engine is worth working on? Will try to get underneath and check for leaks, but all looked OK on a cursory view.
--
'98 965








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

    posted by  analogdad on  Tue Oct 17 09:41 CST 2017
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Wed Jul 16 11:22 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I've been thinking of doing the same for my '96 965, which may need the head gasket replaced. There are two 960/S90 cars in my area (NYC metro) for sale in $400 to $1500 range with claims of good running condition and mileage less than 150K. I'm considering this option because I know I can swap the engines w/minimal problems. But messing with the head on the 2.9L six intimidates me.
    BTW, one thing I'd look for is a car that failed state inspection for bad parking brake. The labor cost on this repair is so high that an otherwise solid car would be priced very cheap.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

      posted by  vp965 on  Tue Oct 17 19:37 CST 2017
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri May 2 15:40 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Bit the bullet and got mine for $650, including the title transfer fee and tax. PCV system appears to be clogged, the oil trap is beyond cleaning (ordered new one), oil looks pretty dirty (am going to seafoam it then change, or maybe it actually deserves to be changed right away). Some signs of minor oil leaks, no coolant leaks I could see. Coolant has too much water. Parking brake barely working (could be old shoes or the cable, or just out of adjustment...) So, rough shape overall but we'll see if I'll be able to get the essential parts working with a minimum amount of reconditioning. The tranny seems good so far, will do a fluid change and see how it behaves.
      --
      '98 965








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

        posted by  analogdad on  Sun Nov 19 20:40 CST 2017
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Wed Jul 16 11:22 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        I found a ’97 S90 with 160K miles to provide a replacement engine for my busted 965. The car was used for short trips for past five years, but the inside of the cam cover was pretty clean so I think engine has not accumulated too much sludge. It ran well and service records showed it received synthetic oil for its first 70K of life. Coolant, unlike the mess in my 965, was clean and green. Got it for a good price - $400 - as PO had broken the windshield by opening the hood with a broken hinge. I lack the room in my garage to pull and replace engines, but have a reliable shop lined up to do the work. This will cost me some $$ here in NYC suburbs, but I figure my wagon is worth saving.
        Also, regarding parking brake cables – I replaced mine last spring and it was definitely a character-building experience. I found one Brickboard post really helpful, but it no longer turns up in searches. I plan to repost it along with the lessons I learned during my adventure.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

        posted by  Adirondack Blues on  Thu Nov 2 20:05 CST 2017
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Mon Sep 8 12:11 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Tranny - I would do a fluid flush via the oil cooler lines and drop the pan and replace the filter. Also check the bushings on the gear selector linkage. The transmission on these cars are pretty bulletproof.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

        posted by  Adirondack Blues on  Sat Oct 21 18:48 CST 2017
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Mon Sep 8 12:11 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Replacing the parking brake cable assembly on a S/V90 is a pain. The head gasket job was almost easier. The dealer recommended procedure is probably to drop the fuel tank. I did mine without, but it took the better part of a weekend to finish. Somewhere online is a nice write up that can help.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Not a parts car anymoe S90-V90 1997

          posted by  Lavesh on  Tue Oct 31 11:11 CST 2017
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Sun Sep 23 12:35 CST 2012
          [RELATED]

          My indy mechanic had to drop the fuel tank. He did not realize that the setup of a 900-series had changed by the time of the 1997 S90. I trust him. But I had to make 3 visits until it was all fixed.

          First to get an estimate (shoes good, just needed cable and expander). Second to find out Volvo changed the setup sometime in the mid-1990s and part that came in was "correct" but wouldn't work out. Third, to actually finish the job (in 5 hours?).

          Sooo glad this wasn't a *dealer* work order!

          Dealer would have been: "Sir, the total comes to $2,000. Sir, here's the printout. No sir, you can't talk to our tech. about the job. Have a nice day, sir! Did you like our service dept.? Please fill out a survey. Please give us 5 stars. That's the only acceptable rating per corporate. Please sir, we're begging you! I even wore a tweed suit and panty hose because we are a luxury marque that believes in stratospheric customer service standards!!"

          Indy: "Well, it came to a ridiculous $600, all labor, really. Sorry about that. I had to do xyz, then abc, then 123. I'll be able to do it in 3 hours for the next customer with a '97/'98 S/V90. Errrr....on second thought, you're probably my ONLY customer still driving one of these Swedish Crown Vics. Whew."








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

        posted by  oldduke on  Wed Oct 18 06:32 CST 2017
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Sun Feb 2 13:04 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        hi vp - curious about the hellacious $$$ parking brake repair job on your volvos parking brake. looked at it on my 92 245 and seems pretty straight forward. handbrake lever cable connects to spring loaded cable which splits to both rear parking brakes which are little shoes in a drum in the hub. is yours the same ? never had to service mine. what would a shyster charge to fix this item. cant be as bad as the monsterously malodorous marathon of swapping out the 240's notorious blower motor. wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy. thanks tons oldduke








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

        posted by  oldduke on  Wed Oct 18 06:30 CST 2017
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Sun Feb 2 13:04 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        hi vp - curious about the hellacious $$$ parking brake repair job on your volvos parking brake. looked at it on my 92 245 and seems pretty straight forward. handbrake lever cable connects to spring loaded cable which splits to both rear parking brakes which are little shoes in a drum in the hub. is yours the same ? never had to service mine. what would a shyster charge to fix this item. cant be as bad as the monsterously malodorous marathon of swapping out the 240's notorious blower motor. wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy. thanks tons oldduke








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    looking to buy a parts car S90-V90 1998

    posted by  Adirondack Blues on  Thu Oct 5 07:03 CST 2017
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Mon Sep 8 12:11 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Re: coolant leaks. Take the head off and replace the gasket. Do a valve job while you're at it and your car will run much better. Or just buy a reconditioned head, which is what I did. I was afraid of the job at first, but it wasn't that bad -- just long. I would be much faster the second time around.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.