Hello, I just purchased a 97' 850 GLT Wagon automatic with 158K on the odo. Everything seems to be working just fine and the car appears as if it was well cared for and possibly garaged. Anything I should do right of the bat or anything I should check for? How about a maintenance schedule? By the way, this is my first Volvo, I have only owed GM and Ford cars before. Thanks!

locate your local salvage yards.

Visit them and determine which one has the most carcasses of your volvo model. You could then use salvage yard for inaminate parts (interior and exterior body parts). If you do your research on how to test a particular electrical part and feel confident with a meter you may be able to avail yourself of the assortment electrical componants available at the yard.

Salvage yard mo: buy one significant part along with a freezer bag full of small parts such as high value relays, trim parts, electrical switches, vacum line fittings...ect.... Most of the time they will not bother with inventorying whats in the bag and will just charge you a token amount of $ for the contents of the bag.

Oh yeah, on the matter of maintenance, if you live where road salt use is common take a close look at the condition of all your calipers and rotors. Evluate when the timing belt was last changed.

Back to the salvage yard, other small parts: set of injectors (get overhauled, keep in reserve) fuel pressure regulator (get several) ignition coils, test before acquiring. original volvo plug wire set(s). The long 10mm bolts/fitting used to adjust belt tension on the alternator, PS pump, AC compressor, mas air flow sensors, flywheel position sensors blah blah blah..................

Thanks for all of the tips on what to acquire in the salvage yard. However, I was looking more for advice on oil change intervals, auto trans flushes, tune ups etc. Can anyone help with this sort of info?

Do you have the vehicle´s maintenance records? When was the last time the timing belt was changed?

This post has been edited by axelm: Jan 18 2007, 06:44 AM

I'm not sure, the records stopped around 30K but it appears to be fine as of now.

It is a good idea to change belt and check or replace tensioner as a preventive measure. If you brake the belt will have to spend a lot of $$$$$ to have it running again. Every 70K you should change it.

Hello,

It is a good idea to acquire service manuals so this way you have reliable sources for your needs. I use a Haynes manual along with a Mitchell On-Demand CD I got from eBay. The Mitchell system is more reliable because it's a professional source (shops use Mitchell). You can usually get a Chiltons manual from your local library also.

I am trying to find out how to flush my automatic transmission at home and not having much luck. Here are some other sources I use: www.volvospeed.com (aka Bay13); www.volvoforums.com (no hyphen...and this site is having problems at the moment); FCP Groton for parts (reliable and reasonable).

I have a '93 850 non-turbo A/T w/146K miles but my Mitchell CD may have your model on it.

I do oil changes between every 3k-5k. The interval is specified by manuals and perhaps the owners manual but it is also dependent upon personal preference. Also, with 158K miles on it it's a good idea to not use any excessive additives, cleaners, etc. right away, until you get to know the machine better. With high mileage cleaners and additives may have adverse effects. And they are right...it's a VERY good idea to change the timing belt unless you know for certain that it's been changed recently. And make sure to get the timing belt cover back on. I learned why it's important...because it prevents costly engine repair from things getting into the belts/pulleys. I checked and my Mitchell CD has your year and model. I'll check back on here and see if I can help more.

Those junk yard tips were great by the way! Thanks...

good luck and happy hunting!

jeff

Just a rule of thumb I go by whenever I buy a used vehicle.

I always change the oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs (cap and rotor also if so equipped), Spark plug wires (if they look rough), brake pads, and other small odds and ends found during such routine maintenance.

I usually do this withon one week of purchasing a used vehicles, so that I can start from scratch with the products I prefer, and know (almost from day one) when to do routine maintenance items such as these.

At least then I know where my maintenance schedule stands and I don;t need to guess about when the oil was changed before I bought it and such. Replacing the brake pads gives me a quicker understanding of other parts to look at that are not always so easy to do before you buy the car, and I will know right off if there may be future items needed in the near future.

You dont have to do this of course, it is just what I do to feel more comfprtable with the car I am not familiar with yet.

It also gives me some idea of how repairs on the car may go (whether things are going to be difficult or not) depending on the engineering of the vehicle.

I'm with blakbyrd: I do all of the routine tune-up stuff upon acquiring a vehicle. I would only add fuel filter to blakbyrd's list...I did mine just because it was easy and relatively inexpensive. My auto has really nice line lockers right on the line, really easy...just be sure to relieve the fuel pressure first if you do this!

jeff

That's the usual problem when we buy things used.
:)

Cheers.