Volvos, 940, 760, 850, V70, V90, WTF?

[Lukas]

Oh now I feel the need to tell my painful Volvo-story. Again... Just block me if you like, I´ll understand that... 

 

I drove a 1999 Subaru Legacy 2.0 with 269.000km on the clock until the end of 2012 when I sold it because it was getting tired.

But it never let me down and was a great, 100% reliable car. 

 

I´ve liked the first-generation Volvo S80 since they came out because of their great comfort and I even like the styling. Beautiful

executive cars. So I thought I´d buy one and I did. It was a 2000 Volvo S80 2.4 petrol with automatic transmission and one previous

owner (professor, 74 years old). It had 203.000km on the clock but this did not put me off because my Legacy was a perfectly reliable

car with 270.000km. So I thought the S80 will be like it. Oh was I wrong...

 

Look at how proud I was after buying it! 

 

 

Soon after I had bought it, I looked at the receipts that came with the car and I discovered two invoices from the ÖAMTC (austrian AA)

for a vehicle recovery. So I knew that the car had to be rescued by the breakdown-service at least twice. I started to worry. 

 

But it ran fine and I was absolutely enthusiastic about this car. Best seats I ever experienced, cosy feeling, nice velour, great comfort,

fantastic sound system. After a month, it suddenly shook and rattled while I was on a sunday trip to an old castle. But I was brave

and drove it home. It made it home and to the next garage. They told me the ignition coil is kaputt, so it only ran on 4 cylinders. After

that was repaired, I felt confident again.

 

But after some 1000km the ABS/ESP light came on, disappeared again, came on suddenly without any warning and disappeared every

time like nothing happened. The ECU did not tell any fault codes. So I ignored this problem. But once after a longer drive, I felt the need

to pee so I parked it at a roadhouse. When I came back relieved, it didnt start anymore. Rrrrrrrrrrr. But no Wroooommm.  So I called

the ARBÖ (austrian AA). After one hour, the breakdown-service came and told me it must be a faulty sensor. He towed the car to my

prefered garage, where they changed some sensors the ECU said they were wrong. 

 

 

The car ran fine again, so I collected it and drove it home. In front of my parents house where I wanted to make a short visit, it refused 

to start again.   So I called my mechanic and he told me I should try to check the fuses. Somehow, some fuses were burned. So I

changed them and drove off. 

 

From there on, at every second start, some fuses burnt so I had to constantly change fuses to get going every second time. I had it at

the garage, they told me one of the two main ECUs may need changing. But they could not tell me which one exactly and one is 1800 €,

so I drove off. After changing some fuses of course. No faults indicated by the ECU. 

 

After a few days, I drove around a bit and suddenly it said "Kein Öldruck, Motor abstellen" which mean "no oil-pressure, stop the engine".

I stopped and suddenly the warning had gone. The engine sounded fine, there was enough oil in it so I drove off. Without any warning 

light or message from the on-bord-computer. Except the ABS/ESP light flashing. 

 

The next day, the engine refused to start again. Rrrrrrrrr, nothing more. I changed all the fuses like I always did but nothing happened. 

Had it towed to my garage again. They told me there must be a fault with one of the ECUs and the´d recommend to sell it fast to an 

export-dealer. Which I did. It was very cheap and sold as "Defekt", with means "at fault" or "mechanically damaged".  I lost almost 5000€ 

in 5 month. 

 

When the dealer collected it, it started fine and drove perfectly. He laughed because he thought I had sold it too him too cheap. A week 

later, he phoned me and shouted at me because the car had stopped working in the middle of a big junction in Vienna and would not start

anymore.       

 

So it was a very painful affaire. I loved it when it drove and I hated it when it refused to start. She broke my heart and if I´m honest, I still

love her a bit... Just look at her, she was such a beauty! 

 

 

I want another Volvo S80. Now! But there are 18 computers in it    so there is a big chance that the next one will hurt me again... 

[Lacquer Peel]

That's heartbreaking Lukas.

Buy an S80 TDI with the old VAG diesel, or a newer model.

My neighbour runs an over 10 year old S60 D5 as a private hire taxi and it's been faultless.

[Lukas]

 

 

That's heartbreaking Lukas.

 

 

 

 

 

Buy an S80 TDI with the old VAG diesel

 

Are they less troublesome? I know the engine lasts forever but the CAN-Bus and ECUs and so on are still there, arent they? 

[Lacquer Peel]

I think you're right, but the engine and its simple electronics should be separate.

[Richard]

I paid about £70 for a knock off cable and software for post-1999 Volvos. It also has parts catalogues and other information for all post-1975 Volvos, even though it can't talk to them. I wouldn't try and run any modern car without access to something like that.

[danthecapriman]

The logic behind the model numbers was actually pretty easy. Though there were exceptions to the general rule like certain models of the 760.

But, most of the early cars were badged up exactly as what they were. This stopped in the 80's.

 

The first number is the basic body design code.

Second number is the engine basic type.

Third number is the number of doors/exact body type.

 

So, for example, a Volvo 142 is a 100 series body, with a four cylinder engine and a two door saloon shell.

A Volvo 265 is a 200 series body, with a six cylinder engine and a 5 door estate shell.

 

A lot of this can also be decoded from VIN numbers, as later cars did away with the final number and instead of a Volvo 744 they were just badged as a 740. On the VIN it will have the exact type number still. My old 740 saloon had the number 744 - a 700 series body, four cylinder engine and four door saloon shell.

 

Trim levels traditionally (I think!?) started at DL, GL, GLE, GLT and some models had a GLS aswell. All dependant on what bits were fitted and how much you payed.

Later on (80's onwards) there was an SE added, which was designed as a pick and mix type spec. So you could have a few options from each of the normal specs, whichever ones you wanted or didn't want. So one SE could be rather basic but the next SE could have a lot of extras fitted.

 

Engine codes were again all based on type, size and exact fittings.

 

A B230E engine is a 2.3 4cyl red block engine fitted with Bosch Kjet injection system.

A B21A engine is a 2.1 4cyl red block engine fitted with a Solex carburettor.

 

It's probably different on more modern Volvo's though!

[Lukas]

On modern Volvos, its

 

C = 2-door (C30 or C70 for example)

S= 4 door saloon (S80   )

V = 5-door estate (V70)

 

XC = Cross-country, so Crossover-Estates and SUVs

 

But that´s not right anymore, because of the small compact-hatchback V40, 

[cms206]

I've had ten Volvos now I think; IIRC the xx2/3/4/5 suffix was dropped for MY82, becoming 240/260, 340/360 instead of 242/244/245, 262/264/265, 343/345, 363/365. The 760 replaced the 260 using the same hopeless PRV 2.7 mill for MY83 IIRC. Most Volvo dealers still tended to refer to 744/745s etc and they were referenced as such on the tyre pressure charts affixed to each car.

 

In my experience 700s tend to be a nicer drive than 900s, though have many of the same issues.

 

A basic rundown of 700s which I know more about...

 

740GL - 2.0i or 2.3 carb, AW 3spd+OD auto or 5spd manual

740GLE - 2.3i, ZF 4spd auto or 4spd+OD manual

740SE - 2.0i only, basic trim, gearboxes as GL.

740 Turbo - 2.3i turbo, gearboxes as GLE.

 

AFAIK the 2.4TD was only available as an option on the GL?

 

760GLE - 2.4TD, 2.7 V6, 2.9? V6 petrol, AW 3spd+OD gearboxes. Spec slightly higher than 740GLE, extra chromework.

760 Turbo - 2.3i turbo, 4spd ZF auto or 4+OD manual. Trim as GLE but not badged as such.

 

4-pot engine options were designated B200E, B230E, B230ET (injection), B200K, B230K (carb).

 

Never been a huge fan of the 2.0, most of mine have been 2.3s but both will do mega miles. The D24 powered examples are even longer lived but not much better on fuel.

 

The last RWD Volvos were the S/V90, the 400-series were the first FWD models.

 

I'll tidy that up when I can see it all, Tapatalk is being a twat.

[320touring]

you've been SVM'd

[Lacquer Peel]

I'd have another D24 Volvo just for the noise and smoke.

 

[Lukas]

Today I´ve seen a white Volvo S90. Looked like the late S90, but when I saw it from the rear, it was badged as a "960". But with the white/red rear lights from the S90 and the bumpers aso.. 

 

Was there a model in between the 960 and the S90, a "facelifted S90" with the look of the S90 but named 960? 

 

Enlighten me please. 

[garethj]

Do any of the 6 cylinder diesels have an intercooler, or were they all the same until the FWD cars changed to the 5 cylinder diesel?

[Richard]

Today I´ve seen a white Volvo S90. Looked like the late S90, but when I saw it from the rear, it was badged as a "960". But with the white/red rear lights from the S90 and the bumpers aso.. 

 

Was there a model in between the 960 and the S90, a "facelifted S90" with the look of the S90 but named 960? 

 

Enlighten me please. 

 

Yes there was.

 

Do any of the 6 cylinder diesels have an intercooler, or were they all the same until the FWD cars changed to the 5 cylinder diesel?

 

 

Yes, the 6 pot could be N/A (maybe not in the UK), turbo or turbo with intercooler.

[garethj]

Cool, thank you.  How do you tell (from an ebay ad) if it's got an intercooler or not?

[Lacquer Peel]

All UK 940 TDs I've seen have an intercooler.

 

 

D24TIC (big pipe on the right leading to the inlet manifold)

 

 

D24T (no big pipe on the right)

[Chas4545]

Never ever had a major problem with any ovlov but avoid the thottle body issues well documented on some models.

5 cylinder good, 4 not so much. Never had an S80 cos many bad stories put me off. Some cheap 6 speed v70 autos appearing now especially if lightly damaged.

I had a chance to buy a 242 years ago and didnt. Bugger.

740 petrol still makes me drool.

Best seats ever made.

S is saloon v is van .

[Lukas]

 

 

Never had an S80 cos many bad stories put me off.

 

Quelle surprise.   I should have read more on the interwebs before I bought it. 

 

Are the seats in the older 700/900 as good (cosy, comfortable, relaxing) as they are in the newer FWD-Volvos from the early 2000s?

[Lacquer Peel]

I can only speak for 940s, they have very comfortable seats but they aren't as spacious as FWD Volvos.

[danthecapriman]

The seats in the old Volvo's are fantastic! They are the best, most comfortable car seats I've ever sat in. A good thing when you've got a bad back like me. I could drive my old 740 (with leather seats!) anywhere for hours and hours and feel no aches or I'll effects what so ever at the end of the journey. I can't do that with any other car I've got, been in or had since, except maybe the Mercury. I need to take a quick break and have a walk around in other cars.

 

I'm sure Volvo spent a lot of money developing just the seats in the old rwd cars, far more than any other manufacturers bothered doing at the time, and it really shows.

[gordonbennet]

Why the hell am i reading the updates on this thread, even more pissed off with mesen for flogging that 940 td estate now.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Just to add to the confusion didn't late 760 and all 960/S90 saloons have independent rear suspension and 740's and 940 s live axles to the end ?

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

I've just bought a 2006 V70 2.4 auto in mingebag spec. It's enormous, comfortable, drives ok and to my eyes looks great. Steady 28mpg at the moment which might explain why there are so many on the market. My advice if you want one is don't get caught up in looking at high spec cars, the S spec still has AC/climate control, cruise and all that, just cloth seats which I actually prefer. It's not a quick car though, by anyones standards.

[cms206]

Just to add to the confusion didn't late 760 and all 960/S90 saloons have independent rear suspension and 740's and 940 s live axles to the end ?

That is correct... ish. 760 saloons got IRS, the estates didn't, but later 960s/V90s did. The 940 style front was also introduced for MY88 on the 760, before finding it's way onto the 940 and phase 1 960; curiously the US got 940s with the facelift 740 front. Also despite looking similar, you can't graft facelift 760 front metalwork onto a 940 'cos it doesn't fit.

[purplebargeken]

I only understand 740 and 940. Oh, and 66. All else is a mystery. Not sure if 440 counts but what the heck.

[HMC]

^^ That late 960 estate IRS has composite transverse leaf spring of all things to suspend the back end--

like a corvette YO!

[xtriple]

I loved my V70. It was the most comfortable thing to sit in ever. But, electronics started playing up....

[Lukas]

What year whas your V70? Let me guess... from 2000 onwards? 

[stillOrange]

My S90 has this transverse leaf thingy. It looks so out of place! Green shiny composite amongst all that metal...

[xtriple]

What year whas your V70? Let me guess... from 2000 onwards? 

2003/4.

[Lukas]

Oh, typical! Did you "only" have different warning lights lighting up and disappearing again or did it stop and make more trouble like my S80 did?