Ok so i dont know if 740's are just crap or what but i bought mine with 165 k on it and i paid 1600 for the car. Within the past two months ive had problems with it stalling out, only running on 3 cylinders, OIL Leaks like crazy and it burns oil.

I dont know what the problem is and i am thinking of seling it.

Can someone "A" Tell me how much this car is worth selling.

Or B tell me if it worth fixing up? I just am a kid living out of home and i need good advice or im gonna be homeless.

"I don't know if they are crap or what" blah blah blah.

Anything mechanical that's not maintained will become "crap" sooner or later. That's one funky attitude you have toward things mechanical. Everything has a reason, no need to use pointless rhetoric like that.

"I don't know what the problem is and I'm thinking of selling it".

DUH, there is probably no single problem, besides the previous owner ripping you out of your money. The oil leak is likely due to plugged crankcase ventilation system -- see the FAQ. It will at least get maintainable when that gets fixed.

If you think it burns oil, please share with the brickboarders what symptoms do you associate with that. Black smoke out of the exhaust pipe? Oil on the back of the exhaust pipe? How would you know otherwise, given that you loose oil via the leaks?

Are you positive it ran on less than 4 cylinders? Why do you think so?


Anyway, the first 2 things you want to do are:

- Replace the crankcase breather insert (flametrap) and clean all associated parts (replace the vacuum hose from the 3-way nipple to the manifold, clean the air/oil separator box); total cost should be about $15 for parts, including a can or two of the carb (or preferably fuel injection) cleaner spray.
- replace the oil and the oil filter, for the oil use (preferably) a 10W30 Mobil One synthetic - buy two gallons at Walmart, it will probably puke one of the gallons out within a month, but it should get quieter (less oil out) within another month or so.

Plan on spending about $100 in parts, assuming you do your labour, every month for the next 24 months. Otherwise sell it, because you won't be able to keep it up and running. Not to mention that probably the front suspension has become unsafe at this age w/o proper maintenance. You won't be able to cheat on that $100 figure, and treat it as a conservative one.

You will need to buy (or find somebody who'll lend them to you) a decent set of sockets (for all drive diameters - 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2") incl. deep drive sockets and 6-point ones. That's about $140 initial investment - a Husky set from Home Depot did the trick for me. You'll need a torque wrench occasionally - rent it at AutoZone. You'll need a u-pull-it type of junkyard to get some parts for swapping (mainly engine sensors, but not only). You'll need a lot of FAQ reading. If you're in Ohio, I'd be happy to lend a hand.

Cheers, Kuba

It'd be usefull if you posted a bit more info on this car, and what you've done so far to address your problems.

I own a 1986 740 GLE that I paid $1,000 for with 163k miles on it.
It's had a few problem, but it was a very nice car. I've never had much money to put into it and when my problems started to accumulate (at 235k) there were too many to deal with. It was cheaper to buy a new one for $2,900

I'm not a volvo mechanic, but it sounds like your rings are bad, fuel injectors may be clogged, spark plugs are bad, and your gaskets are blown. Your valves might also be bad.

I'd say try taking it to a mechanic for an inspection and find out what you're up against before you decide to dump it. In your situation I'd recommend finding an older volvo, particular the old 140s - built like a tank with an absolute minimum of electronic components to go bad.

If it has the 16v engine (B234F) by the "GLE" then get rid of it ASAP unless you are a full DIYer to this car. Needs major R&R...

Greg Mustang
Montreal - Ottawa
Canada

Cursive, Volvo's are not cheap. I wonder if in your situation you might be better off with a cheaper domestic vehicle, an Escort for instance. The 700 you have was probably neglected by the PO, and you may be looking at big bucks, especially if you cannot do much of the needed work yourself. If you really want a Volvo (and I certainly can understand that), you might consider getting a 240 that appears to have had good preventive maintenance. A 240 has less overall to go wrong with it, and used parts are more readily available.

Sorry you are having such a bad experience. You did not say what year your car is. I just sold an '88 740 wagon in excellent shape (except it leaked a bit of oil) for $1500. Unless your car was much newer, and the body and interior in really good shape, you would be lucky to get a grand for it.

if you do a search in the archives you will find most answers. didnt you look for these problems before you parted with the cash? i never bought a older car that did not need some fixin. sounds like previous owner neglected the vehicle.