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Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

posted by  someone claiming to be Guest Poster on  Tue Oct 26 14:24 CST 2004 [RELATED]

Hello:

I am going to look at a 1985 740 Turbo tomorrow. The man selling it says that there is an oil line that feeds to the turbo unit that leaks because it has a bad seal, and it causes the car to smoke. Is this a comon problem? Is it one that can be fixed with a reasonable amount of cost/effort? I am worried that I'll get the car hoping to fix a simple leak and then find out that the smoking engine is not due to the bad turbo seal.

Thanks








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    Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

    posted by  Shifted on  Tue Oct 26 15:20 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sat Nov 19 19:05 CST 2011
    [RELATED]

    Unless this 85 is real cheap (< $1000 or so) I would really invest in something newer. Between the turbo seal? and the headgasket and the rotten wiring harness etc. etc. you could be looking at major bucks just to get it in shape.
    85 or older better be in darn nice shape (near perfect) to make it worth your while. Look deep.

    Shifted
    --
    '87 745t 214,000; '93 Toyota MkII; '73 Suzuki Jimny (Brute) LJ20 360cc








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      Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

      posted by  someone claiming to be Guest Poster on  Wed Oct 27 02:56 CST 2004 [RELATED]

      You nailed it. He is asking $900 O.B.O. for the car! Unless the car is pristine I will not bother. If it is pristine and this seal is the only issue I'll focus on the guy selling it. If I get the feeling that he is a good guy, and not bull-shitting me, I may take a chance on it. I’ll offer him $700. I’ll Buy it, fix the seal, get some new plugs, and off I go. On the other hand, if I pick up on any deceptive body language, or if I get the feeling he knows that the seal is not the sole reason its smoking, I’ll walk away.

      On this model are there any other frequently broken things I should worry about?







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        Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

        posted by  Shifted on  Wed Oct 27 13:26 CST 2004
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Sat Nov 19 19:05 CST 2011
        [RELATED]

        Pre- 88 and the original wires under the hood will be rotting; ask if they have ever been replaced. A harness can run anywhere from $100 (ebay) to $450+.
        How many miles are on it? Watch for shot suspension parts, any rust starting in the floorpan; usual stuff I guess but check good. Even a busted taillight can cost big bucks to replace. Also check and see if the intake side of the block is bone dry, any oil or gunk there and you can bet the headgasket is about to take a dump. Engine and tranny mounts; see if the engine fan sits right in the center of the shroud. Take off hard and listen for clunks in the driveline, problems there mean a bad center bearing, output shaft bushing and/or u-joint(s). If you can manage it a compression test would be great.
        Check out this link, if you already haven't; lots more good stuff there. http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/BuyingUsed7xx.htm

        Shifted
        --
        '87 745t 214,000; '93 Toyota MkII; '73 Suzuki Jimny (Brute) LJ20 360cc








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    Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

    posted by  porkface on  Tue Oct 26 14:30 CST 2004
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    take it to someone who speaks volvo and pay them for a used car checkout. after you hear from them, then decide on the car. an 85 can have a ton of miles and more problems than a leaky return-i hope-tube seal. good luck, chuck.








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      Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

      posted by  johnstanleyho on  Fri Oct 29 12:58 CST 2004
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      last visit: Tue Aug 5 23:38 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Dear friend, I have a 1985 760 with 225k and it is a real good car. This is a car that will nag you with a lot of little fix its, but I find it pleasant to work on, inexpensive and more than worth it to keep. Mine is a manual shift, has trouble passing Cal smog, has an updated Mitsui turbo, sway bar and good front end, upholstery upgrades from U Pick Parts- but it is fun to drive, the safest least expensive sport sedan that I can tinker with for dirt cheap (e.g., turbo $85, 4spd trans w/ od, pedals, driveshaft $200., 1990 engine 140k $125, leather seatblack $35, ac compressor and tubes $50. Just can't touch that with any other car that has parts that last. So if you like to tinker, go for it. If you need more reliability go 1989 and later under 150K or very well maintained. 3 years ago I paid $2400 for my car(mint paint/ wheels) and I am still happy. Now I have two. Good luck







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      Question regarding a 1985 740 Turbo 700

      posted by  someone claiming to be Guest Poster on  Tue Oct 26 14:33 CST 2004 [RELATED]

      Good guidance, thanks, I've never met a Volvo with LOW miles! If the seal fix is easy enough I would just do it and see if it worked to stop the oil, but then the guy wouldn't want to sell!







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