Hi board,
She hit almost dead center in the front. The radiator bent back and hit the fan(shattered the fan shroud). The air intake hose is bent,and of course, the plastic box that holds the air filter is history. The whole front center panel is bent back at about a 45degree angle. Impact missed the bumper. Just skimmed the top of it.

From my preliminary investigation it looks ok underneath. She drove the car, after the accident, until she noticed overheating.

It looks like I can just pull that panel out and replace radiator, headlights, signals, ac condenser, etc. Ill be taking a closer look tomorrow. what should I look for in the way of more damage that would make this not such a simple repair.
,
What a phenomenal car.

Thanks

Lawrence

Sounds like the best repair for her would be called "Schwinn". (smile! she's OK)

My son's girlfriend crashed his/our '90 244 DL last Tuesday. Rearended a Honda, which proceeded to hit the car in front of it. The crash did almost the same damage to the 244: splintered fan shroud, busted air box, crumpled rad support, buckled hood. The condenser sacrificed itself to save the radiator. The impact also bent the driver's side fender a little. The only hidden damage was two busted motor mounts! That sudden deceleration apparently put a lot of stress on the rubber.

This is the SECOND Volvo 240 and third car this boy has crashed (he wasn't driving, but his girlfriend is a logical extension). He is more hazardous to Volvos than east coast rust.

Radiator bent back into the fan? And she drove it?? Sigh... not the first inexperienced driver that has caused some harm from ignorance. Hopefully she didn't drive "till it stopped." If it was still running, it might be saved without a blown headgasket. You'll find out, I'm sure.

You'll need a radiator, the top support, the panels behind the headlights, maybe the inner front fenders (probably not, they can straighten), the lights, grille, maybe some bumper trim. Yeah, you've got your work cut out for you, but it is a decent car to fix on your own.

I don't know where you're located but I'm parting a 1989 240 sedan. It has the world's ugliest hood (peeling paint like alligator hide) and the grille is spoken for, but I have almost everything else available. My prices are very reasonable for BRickboard folks. Let me know if you are interested. I'm in Connecticut. Email to: myvwsgotme@snet.net
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!

Thanks. I really appreciate the response.
No problem with head gasket. Daughter has been drilled , and drilled about the importance of not allowing car to overheat. She had the presence of mind to realize that is was time to shut it down when needle started to rise.
Ive got a pick and pull near me that has everything I need. Reasonable. Ill keep your offer in mind though.

I just finished a clutch job on a nissan 200 sx, now this. Never a dull moment.

Really, really, much appreciated.

Lawrence

I had to do this a little over a year ago when my sister rear-ended someone. She didn't hit as hard as your daughter did, but it was still an over-the-bumper shot and all the front end sheetmetal had to be replaced. I cut the entire nose section off a similar-colored 240 (cut by the quarter panel rivets) for $20.

It will take a few days, but there is not really anything hard about the job. Plan on replacing your water pump too, it probably shifted during the accident, and you will have easy access to it with the radiator out.
--
Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

" until she noticed it overheating " !

Volvos are tough but they like their fluids.

and aluminum heads warp ! Do a pressure test on the cooling sys ASAP .

If your daughter turned it off quick enough you may be OK

If not , Head Gasket, & poss cracked/warped head.

If your radiator is shot and you want to check things out

while waiting for another ,take a bicycle tube and cut it on either

side of the valve, long enough to make it comfortably between your thermostat

and the water pump. Clamp it off and apply pressure , and let it set.

good luck

Thanks for the info. Im pretty sure the head is ok. Its time to get out the crow bar and get busy. I think Ill begin tomorrow.
I will report back on the outcome.

THanks.

Lawrence.

My eldest daughter pulled the same stunt about a year ago, fortunately her daddy owns a Volvo repair shop. If you haven't figured it out yet your daughter did you a huge favor by not damaging the 1/4 panels. The upper core support is a bolt in affair as is the hood which I am sure probably looks like a taco. The panels that the head lamps bolt to are screwed in as well as tack welded in place down in the corners. If your situation is similar to mine you may be able to just bend/lever them back into place and then the new upper core support will unitize the whole thing. My daughter did not damage the radiator (how, I do not know) but she needed one anyhow and we managed to find all of the parts at the local pull it yourself boneyard for less than $200.00. Hood, upper core support, both headlamp assys, both turn signal assys, radiator, the center brace that the horns bolt to, both head lamp doors, and other assorted bits and pieces. Started out at 8:00 am and including running to two different boneyards, had her back on the road by 2:00. Remember though, I have an entire Volvo repair shop at my disposal. Aside from not destroying the bumpers I would have to say our single biggest stroke of luck was finding another 240 that was pretty much the same faded shade of blue as hers. Good luck Dad, aren't kids a blast?

Mark