Most reliable 80's Volvo 240's

IF you are worried about emissions testing, go to a centre that runs the car
in drive on a set of rollers... The only time i've seen a car standing in
the shop with the car in neutral was the emission test for my diesel VW...
All they looked for is smoke at idle and smoke at 2000rpm, The Volvo and our
other VW were both done on a contraption that looked like a dyno with a pipe
attached to the exhaust system and a tether mounted to the car "just in
case" it slipped.

 

Here in Arizona the tests are done under contract and are the same
everywhere (in the two counties that do it.) The main test is done on dyno
rollers, but if the car fails some tests the car is revved out of gear to
"condition" it in an effort to get an in-tolerance reading.

Mike

 

Subject: Re: Most reliable 80's Volvo 240's

I think it depends on the individual car. My last 240 wagon got unbelievable
MPG -- something like 28-32 in the *city*. My latest 240 gets far, far few MPG
(but I stll love it!).

 

What're the years and transmissions? If there's a substantial difference
there may be something out of wack on the newer one, I'm assuming your
driving style hasn't changed. I haven't noticed much difference between one
240 and another assuming same engine and tranny.

 

i loved my 81 240,except for the lack of overdrive(automatic),but if you get
an 82 you will get the aw71 auto.overdrive tranny,you really need that extra
gear on the freeway.and you will still have the nice big metal bumpers. and it
will be close to the age of being emisions exempt. mine was always a little
tempermental on cold starts, but ran great otherwise.a couple of times when
merging onto a freeway with it floored it caught a second gear scratch,a friend
was with me,we just looked at each other and laughed.
mark

 

Subject: Re: Most reliable 80's Volvo 240's

The car that got the better MPG was a 1989. My current 240 wagon is a 1993.
Both are automatic transmission.

 

Have you checked the timing? Fuel injectors clean? How's the cap, rotor,
plug wires and spark plugs? Tire pressure? Shouldn't be much difference
between the two cars.

 

Nobody seems to be mentioning the colapsing driver's seats. I had three
late 80's 240s and the drivers seat failed miserably (and uncomfortably) in
all three. I never had this problem with my 70's 260s and haven't had it
(yet) with the 850s.

 

Ah, yes. IPD sells a repair kit, but it is still a hassle. I think all
mid-80s Volvos had the problem

Mike

 

That's an easy problem to fix though, put the little screen that supports
the foam back together and use a bit of duct tape to keep it from falling
apart. Put the springs back on and it's solid. If the wire screen is cutting
into the foam, a piece of lexan, fiberboard or even cardboard between the
foam and the screen fixes this. The whole job including removing the seat
and taking it inside to work on takes only about an hour, I've done it quite
a few times and so far haven't had it fail again.

 

I just rebuilt the driver's seat in my 89 240, with the help of a good seat
back pad from my 88 240, the dealer replaced it in 93,so it was still good
(just retired it after 300,000 miles, due to rust) I added 1 inch foam padding,
and put the seat heaters under the padding, was tired of sitting on the plastic
grates,much more comfortable, 1/2 inch padding would have been better as far as
getting the covers back on, had to wrestle with the hog rings,still have the
knuckles to prove it.
mark

 

as for the original post question, my 88 240 was the best car i ever owned,
300,000 miles on the original engine, auto.tranny, alternator, starter and
waterpump.decided to retire it after i found major rust around the lower driver
door hinge on the body,plus a couple of spots on the roof the size of a half
dollar that finally went through. so i'm using it for parts for my "new" rust
free 89 and i've needed a few parts as this one has been somewhat troublesome.

mark

 

I just cut those rings off and use nylon zip ties to put the upholstery back
on, it's a whole lot easier.

 

I've had problems with my 850 seat jamming and know of several other people
with same issue.

alan
newfoundland canada

93- 850
92-745
87-745

 

What does 'seat jamming' mean, and if it occurs how is it resolved?

 

I'd rather have the seat foam fail than the power driver's seat back develop a
mind of it's own in our 960.
mark