Volvo 940 Torslanda - dampness investigations etc

[Shite Ron]

An excellent purchase, these are probably the  last decent cars made. Very good visibility, good load capacity, amazing turning circle and nice to drive. Not the most ‘sporty’ but very good. I bought an ex. painters one for £170 a few years back which gave a few years good service before I replaced it with a 740GLE as I was so impressed with the 940. Both were used for towing the trailer and general tip runs, great cars, highly recommended. I still have both and whilst the 740 is the more stylish, the 940 shows no signs of rusting at 26 years old!

[purplebargeken]

Spoilsport lol.

Can't wait to see the piccies

[BorniteIdentity]

Shame it's not that gorgeous pink colour they did.  But that's valu at £300.

[Cookiesouwest]

Yes amazing value. Local dealer has one on forecourt for 3500! 56k on clock and tidy. 300 is a steal.

[Marm Toastsmith]

I spy with my little eye...

How to move this thread to the main forum? If someone does it I’ll post pics of the dirty bits.

[Shirley Knott]

Well played, I had one of these up until September last year and aside from some issues with water ingress it was an absolute joy to own.

RE former use as a builders van, my 940 had lived a sheltered life but the V70 I replaced it with had likely been used for that kind of thing, it was literally full of dry cement when I got it. After a clean you'd never have known. As others have said, Volvo made proper cars back then and they made other supposedly premium brand stuff I've tried from the same era (VW/Audi) feel like plastic children's toys!

Looking forward to more pics!

[Marm Toastsmith]

28 minutes ago, Shirley Knott said:

Well played, I had one of these up until September last year and aside from some issues with water ingress it was an absolute joy to own.

RE former use as a builders van, my 940 had lived a sheltered life but the V70 I replaced it with had likely been used for that kind of thing, it was literally full of dry cement when I got it. After a clean you'd never have known. As others have said, Volvo made proper cars back then and they made other supposedly premium brand stuff I've tried from the same era (VW/Audi) feel like plastic children's toys!

Looking forward to more pics!

So far I’m really impressed, drives lovely and obviously very well built. Nicer than 240s and 740s I have nearly bought in the past! Seats are brilliant, half cow and half velours. It’s quite slow for a turbo, and tired in a nice way like an old pair of jeans.

Interesting you mention water ingress, there seems to be a slightly damp patch on the drivers side floor... It’s on the list to investigate, but I might see if I can fix the radio first.

Will post some pics in a bit, been hoovering it out all afternoon, time to do the washing up now...

[Shirley Knott]

Does the car have air conditioning? Hopefully so as a wet drivers footwell is usually a sign of the heater control valve leaking, they all do that to the extent that the part is now *hilariously unavailable aftermarket or otherwise for non AC cars. I actually ended up having to adapt a MK1 golf HCV to fit and sorting out a new cable system so it would work, stripping out most of the dash in the process. It took weeks and the part being NLA left a sour taste to the extent that it was one of the major reasons I sold the car. Fingers crossed that's not the case...  Either way it's all doable if the worst comes to the worst, the parts only cost £25 in total 

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

Well... we'll have to see about all that. Sounds a bit of a nightmare - but good to hear you've been there, and if it's a common issue then... Where to look first I wonder?

Anyway, some (pre-cleaning) pics.

[Marm Toastsmith]

During 3 hours of hoovering: Dog, sand, pebbles, rubble, etc.

Not sure what the bit dangling off the side of the drivers seat is.

[big_al_granvia]

Tidy old workhorse. Nice patina

[Marm Toastsmith]

Dicky seats appear unused. Spare wheel well beneath has some surface rust and lost paint but everything seems solid.

[Marm Toastsmith]

These pictures struggle to illustrate how much cleaner it is after 3 hours of hot Henry action. Still filthy, mind. Might have to dig out the wet carpet cleaner. Seats have come up alright though, and the really sticky stuff on the boot carpet (Gripfill?) picks off ok with a little effort... just all very time consuming.

Perfect lockdown activity really.

[Kiltox]

Hacksaw blade drawn across the carpet will shift that faster 

#dodgyTradeValeting

[Marm Toastsmith]

This thing does nothing. Actually it sort of faintly glows. Code?

[Marm Toastsmith]

Oh, and is that an air con button?

[GrumpiusMaximus]

My aunt had Dicky seats in her Volvo (which I think was a 740) when I was a kid.  My cousin and I used to love sitting in those whenever we got the chance, just for the sheer novelty.  That takes me right back, seeing those again...

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

My aunt had Dicky seats in her Volvo (which I think was a 740) when I was a kid.  My cousin and I used to love sitting in those whenever we got the chance, just for the sheer novelty.  That takes me right back, seeing those again...

Funny... my aunt had volvos. I used to wash her 340glt regularly for pocket money. She gave me a (very generous) fiver for doing the inside and outside. Cleaning this took me back there. I’ve definitely identified an old Volvo smell today too, which is making the experience all the more evocative.

It’s lovely getting a new motor.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Class! I’d say turning up the boost is more important than any more cleaning. 

[Shirley Knott]

8 hours ago, marm said:

This thing does nothing. Actually it sort of faintly glows. Code?

I believe so. That's great news, heater control valves are readily available for aircon cars!

[Dippy]

Great car, a wet drivers floor could also be rear wash wipe pipe broken as this is quite common.

I got a bluetooth stereo for mine off ebay and also a wiring adaptor so I managed to fit it in 5 minutes, the first time ive not had to modify wiring. Total cost less than £15.

[Marm Toastsmith]

21 minutes ago, Dippy said:

Great car, a wet drivers floor could also be rear wash wipe pipe broken as this is quite common.

I got a bluetooth stereo for mine off ebay and also a wiring adaptor so I managed to fit it in 5 minutes, the first time ive not had to modify wiring. Total cost less than £15.

Fingers crossed it’s not the heater core, eh? Looks a pretty gruesome job...

I’ve got a selection of suitably retro car stereos here but I wonder about the original one. I bet it just needs a code, apparently you can get them from Volvo. Might make a few phone calls tomorrow before I order an adapter or chop off the original connector...

9 hours ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

Class! I’d say turning up the boost is more important than any more cleaning. 

Hehe, no you can do that when it’s yours . I’m more in the mood for an unhurried bus at the moment.

Anyway, as we all know cleaning an old car adds at least 3bhp at the wheels, so once I’ve finished my muesli I’m I’m gonna wash it, wipe over the inside, and think about a polish.

I ought to lift the front carpet too and see if I can see what’s what. My mate said it was bone dry inside so it’s either a recent development or (more likely) has been happening for years without him noticing it.

[Marm Toastsmith]

15 hours ago, Kiltox said:

Hacksaw blade drawn across the carpet will shift that faster 

#dodgyTradeValeting

Can confirm - top tip. 

[Marm Toastsmith]

Been busy this morning, will post pictures later...

Water on floor is brown, foamy, and plentiful... I’m guessing/hoping washer fluid?

Noisy PAS pump and slightly heavy steering probably explained by almost zero fluid in system. I wonder if it’s leaking... Is it safe to top up/check level on my very steeply sloped driveway? Reservoir itself is smallish so I can’t see any reason not to...

[Marm Toastsmith]

It’s much cleaner now. Washed the outside, interior has all had a quick wipe down (even door shuts etc.) Car has just about reached “non horrid” status. Smells a bit less funny, I think. Paint looks great when wet - it’s a fab colour but covered in small scratches - it really needs a good polish.

Drivers carpet etc is out of the car and drying. Was pretty wet. I’m fairly confident it’s not coolant because there was loads of it and the coolant level is fine. So that’s good. Couldn’t quite tell whether after a wash maybe it was slightly more damp down there... Are there drain holes anywhere to check? Can’t work out how to get in to the scuttle area...

Topped up the PAS (actually over-filled slightly), turned the steering from lock to lock a few times and the fluid ended up full of bubbles and at the minimum level. Steering seems a bit less noisy and lighter though. No obvious sign of leaks yet but I’ll keep an eye on things.

The more I fiddle with it though the more it throws up a to-do list. Will update in a bit. I’m still very much in love but I’m wondering slightly whether it’s going to love me back.

[Marm Toastsmith]

I forgot to put “fix radio” on this to-do list. God knows what else.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Bloody hell, they arrived quick...ordered last night around midnight... wonder where the rest of the order is though?

[HMC]

On 4/25/2020 at 9:39 PM, marm said:

These pictures struggle to illustrate how much cleaner it is after 3 hours of hot Henry action. Still filthy, mind. Might have to dig out the wet carpet cleaner. Seats have come up alright though, and the really sticky stuff on the boot carpet (Gripfill?) picks off ok with a little effort... just all very time consuming.

Perfect lockdown activity really.

Great purchase! Somehow missed that your bought this, very classy.

[KitKat]

Bargain!! That's remarkably similar in options, trim spec, engine and condition to my current 940 LPT. Its like an old pair of boots, tatty and tired but comfy and  capable. It does most things you ask of it far better than it has any right to. Trust me, it'll grow on you. 

When my 940 eventually dies, I'm buying another. 

[KitKat]

I never knew they made a 940 Torslanda either, I thought the Torslanda was 240 only.