Update on Used Volvo (1987 760 turbo)

Well, dejablues should win a prize! Her estimate ont he air
conditioning was right on... about $600. supposedly, the line wore
through, and it needs a new accumulator, line (which needs to be
handcrafted) freon and labor=$580. Good job, dejablues! Not great for
me....

More bad news, though....

My regular mechanic's (who deals with a lot of old volvos in his work--I
live in a hippy neighborhood) inspection recomends that I get a new
wiring harness, and that if I don't get it replaced, there is no reason
to take the car. Of course, that's massive labor costs (total estimate:
$800). What do you guys think about this assertion by my mechanic? Is
he overblowing the problem, or is this as serious as he says? It makes
sense, since many of the recent problems in the car have been electrical
(oil light stays on, for example).

So, for the 1987 Volvo with 212,000 miles on it, we've got $1400 of
repairs (so far--the inspection is not completed yet). My buddy is
asking $2000. Is it worth even negotiating a lower price with the
problems mentioned, or do I give up on owning the "Swedish Love
Machine", that I have been coveting for so long. :-(

Your advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Right now, I'm severly bummed... :-(

Thanks,

Mike

 

fugehdaboutit.

 

:`-(

Just to be clear, in your opinion, it's not even worth negotiating down
the price?

Thanks,

Mike

 

IMO, no. The vehicle sounds like a major money sponge. 212K miles puts a lot
of parts near (or over) replacement time, and some parts for a vehicle that old
get hard to find. Electrical problems are beyond 95% of most mechanics
ability, from what I've seen. Replacing the harness might work, might not. If
the main harness has rot, there could be other wires ready to make a short
circuit, or connectors that are corroded and in need of replacement. You could
end up with a lawn ornament (or a nice torch like I had with my last van that
had electrical problems.) I would not get involved in such heartache. BTDT.


If you are looking at something this age and this many miles, at least look for
a car that is in perfect condition (a sign of continuing care), or is becoming
a popular classic that will build in resale value.

 

I believe it wasn't until after 1988 or 89 that Volvo fixed their wiring
harnesses - I have heard people call the older ones "biodegradeable"... this
can't be good.

And from working on the electrics on my old commuting car, a 1991 Golf, I
can say that electrics in cars are a bitch to work on (And i'm an industrial
electrician for heavens sake!) because they are so backwards and plainly
weird.... Tho Volvo stuff looks better designed then the circuits in the old
VW's, but there is bound to be more complexity in a technology laden 760,
then in a stripped down base model Golf.

Our 960's electronics have yet to fail... the only electrical issues we have
are a power drivers seat that just can't get to where you want it thru
memory (it tries, but it seems to get stuck and you must finish the process
manually with the seat movement buttons), that and a failed FM radio (I
believe the tuner chip has failed, as all the connections to the radio, and
internal to the radio circuitry check out).

I'd consider a 940,960,or 850 if you want a Volvo... or a post 1989 740/240.

And make sure it's well taken care of.

 

Give it up, and find a better Volvo. With that many miles (212,000?),
if the turbo has not been rebuilt recently, that is another service
that you are looking at in the near future (between $1200 - $2000).

 

That's the thing.... t5he previous wner HAS really babied it. She looks
beautiful!!! Not a speck on her.

Alas, this car is like my ex wife, beautiful on the outside, ugly on the
inside! ;-)

Thanks,

Mike

 

| Well, dejablues should win a prize! Her estimate ont he air
| conditioning was right on... about $600. supposedly, the line wore
| through, and it needs a new accumulator, line (which needs to be
| handcrafted) freon and labor=$580. Good job, dejablues! Not great for
| me....
|
| More bad news, though....
|
| My regular mechanic's (who deals with a lot of old volvos in his work--I
| live in a hippy neighborhood) inspection recomends that I get a new
| wiring harness, and that if I don't get it replaced, there is no reason
| to take the car. Of course, that's massive labor costs (total estimate:
| $800). What do you guys think about this assertion by my mechanic? Is
| he overblowing the problem, or is this as serious as he says? It makes
| sense, since many of the recent problems in the car have been electrical
| (oil light stays on, for example).

Bad wiring harnesses are a known problem with Volvos of this vintage - 800
bucks is a fair price....

The problem is probably MORE serious than he asserts - changing the harness
is soomething that must be done....

| So, for the 1987 Volvo with 212,000 miles on it, we've got $1400 of
| repairs (so far--the inspection is not completed yet). My buddy is
| asking $2000. Is it worth even negotiating a lower price with the
| problems mentioned, or do I give up on owning the "Swedish Love
| Machine", that I have been coveting for so long. :-(

Find another one that has had the harness replaced and has a working A/C
unit - you should be able to get one that doesn't require massive repairs
for the same money.....

PC

 

| :`-(
|
| Just to be clear, in your opinion, it's not even worth negotiating down
| the price?

NO - the problems you've reported indicate systematic neglect....find a car
that has been better maintained....

By the way, your "buddy" ain't a friend of yours.....

PC

 

| That's the thing.... t5he previous wner HAS really babied it. She looks
| beautiful!!! Not a speck on her.

Nope - caring for the "innards" is far more important than caring for the
cosmetic thingees......!

Your "buddy" ain't a friend of yours trying to sell you a pig in a poke that
probably needs even more extensive work than you've uncovered so far - and
I'll bet he knows it, too!

| Alas, this car is like my ex wife, beautiful on the outside, ugly on the
| inside! ;-)

Put a new harness on her and you might try to get her back.....

PC

 

Wow! Strong words... That certainly tells me a lot. I do know that he
has been putting money into the car for years. He would mention all the
repairs that he'd do as they happened. I also have all the service
records, and he has put a lot of work into the car, maybe not the right
work, but work nonetheless. Maybe his mechanic is the real villain....

One thing is for sure, once I saw that the Volvoites turned against the
sweet Swedish Love Machine, my infatuation was broken, and I was truly
convinced that this was not the right way to go.

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

You can get a harness for the car from Dave Barton, or on the IPD site adds,
or eBay. I got mine for 150$ through the IPD classifieds , replaced it
myself in 3.5 hours (I am certainly not a mechanic, and it was not hard at
all) and it solved just about every electrical issue I had. Any 7 series
Volvo of that era had terrible harnesses, and if you find a car that still
has the original (can't imagine it would be running, but anyway) plan on
replacing the harness.
Just to add, I bought my 87 760Ti wagon for 1k. Florida car with 205k miles
, zero rust, everything worked on it, but it needed lots of TLC to get it
where it is today. But it is an awesome car now, and I am glad I spent the
money on it.
http://home.earthlink.net/~sticklad/earthlinkvolvo.html

If you go for it and drop the needed repairs into it, you'll get alot more
years out of it. It may not be entirely practical for you at this time, but
old cars need lots of work anyway, so good luck in your quest.

cheers

RS

 

ROFL....I think I met her once somewhere...

RS


Proconsul wrote:

 

Now that is one NICE looking motor. Good work.

Taff.......




www.sounds-pa.com | www.thecomputerworkshop.com

 

Why, thank you. That was last summers shot. It is actually looking a bit
nicer now. I've since done the IC pipes in blue, as well as added some
matching silicone vacuum, washer and air-horn lines. I know it's only window
dressing, but the wow factor when I pop my hood is pretty fun. Sorta like
the look on their faces when I take them for a ride and spool up that Stage
1 turbo. Yup.

I'll have new pix up in the next couple of weeks after I clean up the top
end a bit more. Stop by again sometime.

cheers

MP

 

pretty sharp car! unless the OP is a hobbyist and has other transportation,
i still wouldnt recommend it. with 212k miles on it, the engine could
possibly go any time. thats a lot of miles, no matter who makes the car.

 

Rob, By March of 89 the wiring was re-engineered.
Both my 700s have very good wiring!
I agree with everyone else,
this car would be a money pit!
If I got it for $500, delivered,
I would still think I paid too much!

Bill @ Home in Wisconsin, USA
Maroon 1989 760 Turbo wagon! w/140k miles;-}
Black! 1989 780 Turbo Coupe w/147k miles 8-}
Blue Mule 1987 245 non-Turbo w/205k miles SOLD
(Good wiring on the 87, is was built in October 87.)

Mon, 24 May 2004 17:18:18 -0400, "Rob Guenther"

 

..

The engine itself is one of the last things I'd be worried about, they just
don't "go", at least not in any way related to miles. Accessories do wear
out, but the engine won't blow up unless the wastegate or related plumbing
on the turbo fails and boost skyrockets.

 

bearings spin, oil pressure drops, rings wear out, valves recede in their
seats, carbon builds up, timing chains and belts wear and break, stuff just
happens. if the car only had 112k miles and needed little work, id consider
it.

 

Those things *can* happen, but I've never actually heard of most of that
occurring. Timing belts break sometimes if owners don't change them on time
but this car will have a non interference engine so that isn't a big deal.
Only things I've ever seen cause catastrophic failure on a redblock is
running out of oil and extreme overboost, neither of which relate to the
mileage on the car.

These engines, like anything mechanical do wear out eventually, but it tends
to be gradual and rarely before 300k. A leakdown and compression test and a
visual inspection should give a pretty good indication of the overall
condition of the engine.