Vbelts on the car are volvo but getting cracked and glazed and the alt belt is showing a thread. The belts on FCP and EEuroparts are continental, IPD doesn't list a brand. Are these just as good or is it worth getting them from Volvo?

Coolant hoses on the car look ok from the outside but I don't see any brand markings. Hoses on FCP are Uro, FAQ says to get volvo. Just making sure that's still the consensus. There is coolant showing up on the waterpump and the block near the lower hose. (Lots of oil in this area)

All of the vacuum hoses are dry rotting on the outside and look to be original. Didn't see in the FAQ but are Volvo replacements recommended or any quality aftermarket hose?

Still need a good source for DOT 4, local parts place only had DOT 3 or generic "works on 3 & 4 systems." I put cheap DOT3 in the old chevy's and a tiny bottle of DOT4 from the Honda place in my motorcycle. Who carries large bottles of quality DOT4?


And there's still the matter of oil leaking. Only a drop or so overnight but the block is pretty gunky below the head on the right side and the front. The oil cooler (I guess thats what this is, small radiator in front of vacuum can) is also covered in oil. Not if its coming from the radiator itself or the hose connections. The whole thing and the vacuum can are covered in oil though.

For a $1000 car I'm not sure if I want to invest what I think I'm looking at investing in as far as hoses go. Especially not knowing where that oil leak is coming from. There is red permatex on the valve cover. The car also probably needs suspension work in the rear, the muffler makes a hell of a racket when idling in park or in gear. The shifter moves on acceleration, though the mounts didn't appear to be blown out when I changed the oil. And the radio just mysteriously crapped out.

Sorry for the long winded general info post, but I have lots of questions the FAQ hasn't quite touched on and I've really enjoyed driving this thing for the past two weeks.

Thanks for the great forum,

~Richard