Quote:
Originally Posted by Othen
I am a Volvo owner again! My very first brand new car was a Volvo 240 estate, way back in 1985. I liked that car and drove it for several years until my job moved to Cyprus.
I've always fancied owning a similar car and today bought a 244 saloon from a chap in Brum, here is a photo:
I quite like the green colour, although I'm not sure about some of the additions, and I have a few questions that perhaps other forum members might be able to answer:
1. I'm guessing the black stripes are not original, would that be right? You may notice the chromed surround to the windscreen is not fitted, the PO has supplied it (it is on the back seat at the moment), it is in good condition, but needs some clips to re-fit it - from where might I obtain the right clips?
2. I suspect the wing mirrors are not original, would that be correct? Actually I don't mind them, and if I removed them I'd probably be left with a couple of holes on the wings, so they will probably stay:
3. I also suspect this Volvo badge on the front of the bonnet is not original?
4. The same for this spoiler on the boot:
5. ... and this one on the back of the roof:
6. I quite like the wheels, and they have been recently repainted. I have no idea whether they are the originals or not, but they look the part:
Underneath the car looks as solid as a rock - there is no sign of corrosion anywhere and the exhaust looks quite new. The brakes have been replaced all round (pads and discs), and the PO tells me he has changed the springs and dampers (to adjustable Koni ones) all round - I'll jack it up and have a look tomorrow.
The car runs pretty well, it cruised the 65 miles back from Brum at good motorway speeds, steers and handles well and brakes in a straight like. The auto gearbox seems fine (as fine as a 3 speeder can be).
Most things seem to work apart from:
1. The rev counter.
2. There is an annoying rattle from somewhere below the instruments at low speeds - I'm thinking this may not be unconnected with the rev counter not working.
3. The fuel gauge seems a bit inaccurate - it was still reading a quarter full when I ran out of gas 2 miles from my home (fortunately a passing police speed camera van operator stopped to give me a hand). It may be the float was just stuck because the car had been off the road for a while - it registers okay now I've filled up).
4. I have a question about the heater fan - should it work without the ignition being switched on (it does)? I suspect it should not, and someone may have wired it to a permanent live feed - the same seems to be the case for the Sony radio - so these two issues may not be unconnected.
I'll probably find lots of other things that need sorting when I have a chance to look over the car, but that is all for now.
I think this will be just the right car for me: a strong runner with a MoT and no rot whatsoever. It will be 40 years old in a few months, and so may be registered as an historic vehicle in April 2021 (no more road tax!), which is a bonus.
If anyone has a moment to comment on my questions I'd appreciate that very much.
Alan |
Nice car, though some of the bits are definitely non-standard.
Taking them in no particular order:
The alloys are Volvo "Virgos", normally found on GLT models so perfectly acceptable as an "upgrade". They will take 195/65/15 rubber if you need to replace the tyres.
The heater fan, wipers, horn and radio are normally on an accessory-live circuit: with the key in the ignition turn it to position 2 and they should operate; position 3 brings up the warning lights for ignition etc.
The door mirrors, stripes and roof-mounted abomination are definitely non-standard; the boot-spoiler might be a dealer-fit part - I don't know but have seen a couple of 240 saloon with something similar.
The front fog lights are after-market - you'll probably have to trace their wiring to find out where they're powered from. The rear fog lamps should come on with any lights - DRL, side, dip or main beam at that age.
Thetwin-tail pipe extension is also an after-market bit, as are the "Volvo 244GL" legends on the mud-flaps.
There's a panel-lighting rheostat on the instrument binnacle.
The headlamps might benefit from new reflectors; there are threads detailing the replacement process.
The indicators/hazard lights/seat-belt warnnig do share a common relay - check that it's properly seated and that the seat-belt buckles are properly seated in the latches and the latches are properly earthed
Courtesy light door switches do fail; remove them one by one, spray with contact cleaner and re-fit.
Do the timing belt - as it's a B21 engine you won't need the crankshaft locking tool - and replace the auxiliary belts at the same time.
If it's a B21A it should have a Pierburg CDSU175 carburettor so check the needle, jet assembly and diaphragm are OK and keep the dashpot topped up with ATF or 3-in-1 oil. If it's a B21E it's fuel-injected so carry a spare fuel pump relay.
Check the sun roof opens and, more importantly, closes flush to the roof; if it sits down at either or both rear edges then re-open it a couple of inches and re-close it with one hand helping to lift and guide it into place. Then take off the winding handle and give it a spray of silicon or white grease.
Oh, and enjoy driving it!