YACT: 2 questions

[kyzen]

I presently drive an 89 Volvo station wagon, obviously the epitome of style for a 21 year old guy, but it was free, and I was tight on money when I got it. It's had some troubles before, but nothing as bad as today. This morning, it died. I started it, backed out, switched to drive, got about 8 feet forward, then it stalled. And it wouldn't start again. I'll turn the key and it will sound normal for the first second, but then it will either not catch at all, or it'll turn over a few times, shaking the car pretty bad, then die. Forgive my lack of detail, but my car knowledge is pretty minimal.

So, my first question, is - given the minor detail I provided, any thoughts on what's up with my car, and what the rough cost would be to replace it?

Now given the fact that this car is well on it's way to dying, I decided I should probably start looking into a new car. I'm looking for something that gets decent mileage (my car presently gets 16-18 mpg, when it's not sitting in my parking lot). Unfortunately I need an automatic because of my job.

Price is a concern, so I'll probably be looking at new cars. And I do want to move away from the whole station wagon thing. A normal looking car would be swell. Any suggestions?

 

[Titan]

is it a 240? Me and my dad have owned 6 of them from years 86-91. And repair them frequently. The AT forums equivalent for volvos is brickboard.com.

If it's turning over but not firing, it's probably somrthing with your fuelsystem, pump, filter, low on gas. If you tried to start it a lot you have to let it sit cuz it may be flooded. Check your sparkplugs aren't burnt out or smell of gas.

Could be many things, but prolly isn't bad since it's turning over. Usually it's electric things that keep it from turning over at all.

If the engine is shaking bad, it's probably got a lot of crud in there. Needs a good oil change with some cleanser. If the oil on your dipstick is pitch black, that is bad. Shaking could be a sign of cracked engine mounts, but chances are it's cruddy fuel and engine block and should be cheap to fix.

 

[nateholtrop]

Try to find a dealership that is having a push/tow/drag it in special. Go from there.

 

[NutBucket]

Junkyard parts and fix it! Stalling eh? I wonder if its the dizzy wiring harness since that sits a hot place with little airflow. check it out!

 

[natto fire]

I had an '87 740 that did the same thing. I believe it is called Volvoitis. Anyhow, I took it to a shop and told them to check the injectors, wires, and computer. They said they were all ok, but the car always did that. I tried to sell it, but no takers, ended up taking it to a junk yard. I freaking hate Volvos now.

 

[Titan]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
I had an '87 740 that did the same thing. I believe it is called Volvoitis. Anyhow, I took it to a shop and told them to check the injectors, wires, and computer. They said they were all ok, but the car always did that. I tried to sell it, but no takers, ended up taking it to a junk yard. I freaking hate Volvos now.

Volvoitis? I never heard of that. Granted I live in VT where volvos grow on trees and a shop within 10 miles of my house only works on volvos.

Sensors in the catalytic converter and air mass flow controller can screw with your fuel delivery when the engine is cold. Those are more expensive. Last winter after sitting in below 0 weather, my '91 240 started up, ran rich, and then died with black smoke coming out the tailpipe. Burnt out my plugs. My check engine was on, and the air mass controller was busted, so without that regulation in the cold, i killed my plugs. Which is prolly why my block was so dirty when I got the car. My older '86 240 almost always stalled when it was cold, I had to keep the gas on, but one the engine was warm, it started fine. Some sensor for that one.

My opinion, if the body isn't falling apart, keep it. The only insane things to change on a volvo are the heater core or the blower motor. If those go, junk it.

 

[NutBucket]

Heh, that heater core is the truth. I helped a friend change one once in 765. Not fun AT ALL.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Heh, that heater core is the truth. I helped a friend change one once in 765. Not fun AT ALL.

My buddy had an '81 240 with a bad blower, we never even attempted to fix it. Just roll the windows down a bit to create a draft and turn the thermo up all the way to defrost the windshield.

 

[kyzen]

And here I was thinking it was just me

 

[LeiZaK]

Get a Mazda 3.

 

[Ornery]

You have to first decide if you want to keep it. Sounds like you don't, so why throw money at it? Ain't worth much, whether it's running or not, is it?

Price is a concern, so I'll probably be looking at new cars.

That makes like zero sense to me. Never owned a new car in the thirty years I've been driving. I take full advantage of the fact that domestics have poor resale value. I also stay the fvck away from FWD headaches. Once I choose a car, I keep it till it dies. Almost never sell a running car.