In the fall of 2007, I purchased a 1991 blue 740 sedan. It was love at first sight, and I first named him Little Boy Blue, but then decided on Nigel because it was shorter. Nigel was my saving grace; he was the replacement for my 850 GLT wagon, Kismet, who was totalled three months prior. I had also been laid off during that time, and Nigel's responsibility was to ferry me back and forth from my new job and to school and back. Like most old bricks, he was grouchy and from time to time would pull a "no start" episode. Since I lacked advanced DIY skills and tools, I was at the mercy of the local auto techs. I found one that was very skilled and loved to joke that Nigel was prone to no-starts after a wild night out with the boys(I live in a small town with lots of Bricks). I was at a loss when this tech moved to a shop that didn't service Volvos.

Fast-forward to the past two months. I took Nigel to a new tech who tried his darndest to get him started and couldn't revive him. Upon the recommendation of a neighbor, I took him to a local shop in town that had a Volvo tech on staff. Since they lacked the brains to pop the hood and read the engine sticker, they told me that the timing belt had slipped, and that Nigel would need a valve job. I knew better. I may lack DIY skills, but I know that B230F engines are mostly bomb-proof. I had Nigel towed out of there.

I got on the internet and found a Volvo shop several towns away. I called the tow truck again, and had Nigel towed in. I called ahead and spoke with the service manager. They addressed the timing belt issue in short order, but couldn't revive Nigel after his test-drive. They revived him, drove him, and he shuddered and belched black smoke from his tailpipe. He threw a code for the RPM sensor. He had several episodes of not being able to be revived, and at one point they called to let me know this. I would not let my boy go down without a fight, and so they fought on. At one point, there were five techs working on him and trying to pull codes from his ancient OBD. Finally, after much hard work on the part of the techs, Nigel roared to life, and the service manager told me the entire shop staff cheered. They had never encountered a Brick as stubborn as Nigel, but they finally got his number and brought him back.

He's now resting comfortably in the driveway with a new O2 sensor, new RPM sensor, new timing belt kit, new crankshaft pulley, fresh oil and filters, and a new lease on life. I will be eating lots of Top Ramen in the coming months, but there was no way I'd walk away from the little car that had seen me through a very dark period in my life three years earlier. It wouldn't be right. I'm glad I listened to my gut and had him towed out of town for his surgeries.

There is one very grateful Volvo owner tonight, one very operated-on Volvo in the driveway, and one group of Volvo techs most likely enjoying a few brewskies and recalling the 740 that really tested their wits. We're all a little better for the experience.
t
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Volvo newbie. Show me the ways of the Volvo!