My 92 240GL was making some horrible noises, so I took it to a Volvo dealer. Of course they returned a "to-do" list about a mile long that adds up to more than I actually paid for the car.

Here's a list of what they said needed fixing and the cost for it. What I want to know is how much of this could be done by a non-volvo mechanic or myself for substantially cheaper and how much of this can wait. I'm not that smart with this, but it seems to me that fixing the transmission mount (the source of the noise) and the timing belt, are the biggest problems right now.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Here's the list:

MASS AIR FLOW METER $493.06
RPM SENSOR 165.00
CLAEN AND ADJUST THROTTLE BODY 109.00
FRESH AIR THERMOSTAT 107.00
TRANSMISSION MOUNT 160.00

UNRELATED LIST
PINION SEAL 200.00
FRONT ENGINE SEALS,WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT 671.00
A/C COMPRESSOR 1225.00

Hi:

I think I've heard of your dealer: :Ben Dover Volvo!

Many of those things are E-Z DIY and the prices are ridiculous!

Get a used mass air flow (last 3 digits of the number on it are what you need to match it)-- go local at your boneyards, or contact a place like Erie Vovo. Think $100 or less, and a well-trained monkey could put one in-- I bet I could get my 3.5 year old girl to do it!

RPM sensor-- $50 part, a bit fiddly to access it (behind the motor on the bellhousing of the transmission).

If I could clean and adjust throttle bodies for $109 a pop, I'd quit my day job! 30 minutes, and a $0.75 gasket. E-Z DIY!

Fresh air thermostat-- $11 part, a little fiddly, but not hard. .3 hrs, worst case! This is probably why you need a mass air meter, though. Many here just disable this thermostat and block the little flapper in the airbox to fresh air all the time...

Transmission mount is $6.95 in aftermarket, really a half hour job once the car is jacked up.

Pinion seal is $8, anything more than an hour's labor is rape!

Timing belt with seals should not be more than $250.

Compressors are available online for $249. That car takes less than 2lbs of 134a, you'll want an accumulator ($45) and a new orifice valve ($5) and a bunch of o-rings and oil. NOT a good job for a Volvo dealer.

A '92 is too old for dealer service. Find a trusted local import place, preferably with Volvo experience. A good independent AC place would be the best way to get your AC rehabbed. Investing $200 in decent tools, a floor jack and some stands would really put you on the road to independence.

The timing belt isn't crucial on this car (especially if you have roadside assistance or a towing endorsement on your car insurance). The engine is non-interference, so if the belt breaks you just have it towed in and fixed-- no engine damage).

Good luck!
--
Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/109K mi

Yeah, I double-checked the name again to make sure it wasn't the Ben Dover dealership. I'm pretty sure it is. That's why I posted here. I may not be totally savvy with vehicles, but I know a rape job when I see it.
The problem is that I'm in Alabama and the car is in Texas. I don't really have access right now, so it's touch-and-go. I feel like I could do these things if someone walks me through it.

Here's the deal. The only thing really bothering me was the noise from the transmission mount. That was why I took it in. Other than that, the car has been driving fine. All the other stuff (mass air flow, rpm sensor, thermostat, adjust throttle) I can handle, I believe.

Can anyone volunteer to walk me through those 2-3 things?

Also, since I'm not where the car is, would it be horrible to pay the $160 (rape, I know) to go ahead and do the transmission mount? Any chance I could talk them down? I can be back out there over the weekend, but not before. How much time would go into this and what basic tools would I need?

I see-- the geographic constraints can be a problem! I would go for the motor mount and then get the car out of their hands!

Some very good points raised here-- the car will not run at all if the RPM sensor is bad (although they can be intermittent).

The car would run like someone put the engine in backwards if the air mass meter is pooched (the poor man's diagnostic is to unplug it to see if a non-running car will start).

My take is that none of these are necessary, at least right away.

Two approaches to consider:

1) how much to have the car shipped to AL from TX?

2) is there a local Volvo indie repair shop in the same city in TX that is willing to pick it up and do the necessary work?

Otherwise, get the tranny mount done and get the car back-- then do the simple stuff yourself and get a trusted independent shop to help you with the things you can't do...

Good luck!


--
Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/109K mi

Christa, I think they are shaking you down.

Mass air flow; Why do they feel you need a new one? Is the car running OK?

RPM Sensor; Same question

Clean Throttle body. Very simple to do yourself. Adjust? If you don't touch the little switch, there's nothing to adjust. Price of a toothbrush and a can of Carburetor cleaner.

Fresh air thermostat I think is about $15. While you are doing the Throttle body, the plumbing for the Fresh air is off the car anyway. Many of us digard this and close off the hole. It's function is to help the engine warm up sooner on very cold days.

Trani Mount; Honestly, That's the one that will get you a bit dirty. Support the trani, Unbolt the crossmember. Easy but you are crawling under the car.

Timing belt is a $22 item. A little scary for someone who is not mechanically inclined.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Excellent point. I'm not sure if any of these things are failing, but they are probably just a list of assumptions for a 92. Most of those items should work OK - when they fail, you will know it.

Otherwise, just do the preventive maintenance and use BB for help on the bigger jobs. And never, never go to the dealer again.

Good luck!
-pu
--
((1993 245 Classic, 100K)) ((1992 244, 110K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego

i am probably in the mid to low portion of the bell curve on mechanical ability on this forum, and i would say from my experience and from the help that the guys on this page give, that you could do 100% of your repairs yourself. as long as you have time and a different car to drive until you get it fixed. you'll obviously save money over having the shop do it, and the experience will save you zillions of dollars in the future. plus your wife will think you are the coolest guy in town after you successfully fix the car.