Hi,

I am have been using my mom's '92 960 as my commuter for work and school for about a year now and it now has 96K miles (144K km.) on it with no problems at all. It has always been a dealer-serviced car before I got it but having asked the dealer how much it would cost for the scheduled maintenance at this time almost choked me - (Can$ 575 plus taxes of our taxes of 14.5% or a shade under $638!!!).

I figured I could save a lot by doing most of the needed maintenace myself after work and school. Could anyone help me with a list of what things I should do from the dealer service manual?

Many thanks.

Frank
Vancouver

Since I'm intimately familiar with the 92 960 maintenance and I will assume that this car has no different schedule than the yankee cars, here's what I think.

Actually 96K is a rather odd maintenace interval. If the car has been serviced regularly, it should have had a tune-up at 90K and the timing belt changed at each 30K after the 40K internal, so it would need one at 100K, if my calculations are correct. This interval is absolutely imperative to maintain. If there is no evidence of the tensioner being changed, I would recommend doing that too, regardless of it's condition.

I agree with the others that new fluids all around would be good, including brake, cooling, transmission, and engine, with synthetic in the latter two. I use Mobil 1. Im not sure I'd change the fuel pump prophelatically, Much, if not all the basic tune-up can be accomplished by you. It needs no valve adjustment, so just change the plugs, air filter, flame shield..I think that's it. Certainly inspect the top and bottom radiator hoses for cracks and fatigu. Change out the thermostat when changing the coolant (Volvo only)
--
John Shatzer, '92 965 @105K; one of a few still in captivity.

Do you have the detailed estimate from the dealer?

How about the records of past work?

The most critical item is to make sure the timing belt system is OK. If the idler and tensioner were replaced within the last 50K they will be OK for another interval. The belt is really quite easy to change. The $30 or so you will spend buying the Volvo manual for the engine will be the best $ you can spend if you want to DIY. Follow the links to manuals in the 799/900 FAQ to find the source. (The only "special" tool needed is one to compress the tensioner. A LARGE "C" clamp worked OK for me. Plus a nail of the proper size to hold it in until the re-instalation is done. Proper size is one as large as possible that will still fit the hole as a lesser one will bend under pressure from the tensioner.)

The work involved in changing the timing belt is little enough that you don't need to change other parts "just to be sure". ie. The water pump can go until it starts to leak!

Having all the "vital fluids" in good condition is important for the longevity of the car. The extra $20 it will cost you to use genuine Volvo coolant is well spent in my opinion. (If the existing coolant is clear, not cloudy, and is pure Volvo it will be fine forever.) (Don't forget to flush the brake fluid as well.)
--
'96 965 with 16' wheels at 96K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

100 miles,
1) change bearing on the the tensioner $145 part
2) When was ur last Belt change?
3) drain coolant
4) change Trani oil with Synthetic and change engine oil with Synthetic. Use mann filter.
5) Let somebudy else change the fuel filer, Hard to take off.


Any strange noises?

many thanks to you both.
Frank