[lobster740]

1990 Volvo 745 GLT 2.3 16v (B234F), manual transmission with o/d. 125k miles.
No AC, has manual temperature control. Tow bar and electrics fitted.

No MOT - project vehicle for spares or repairs - IMO it’s too good for breaking and would be an achievable winter project for someone with more spare time than me!

Please see attached PDF file for photos.

I have owned this car since 2014 and had it on the road from 2014-2016. It was taken off the road in (late?) 2016 for MOT work and to investigate issues with the heater system discharging coolant into the cabin.

Some renovation was carried out in 2017 and then other projects, work and family demands got in the way again. I restarted work on getting it back on the road in July 2019 and have been trying to devote time to it wherever possible, however unfortunately health problems have led me to make the decision to reduce my ‘fleet’ to manageable levels.

The ‘management’ are also very keen for me to find a new home for this vehicle ASAP.

The current situation of the vehicle is:

SORN (obviously)

Interior and cabin heating system dismantled (all parts and fastenings have been bagged and labelled). Ingress of coolant in the cabin has been traced to the heater water valve, which appeared to be an aftermarket plastic unit and has quite clearly failed. This non-AC valve type is the ‘unobtainable’ sort, so I have acquired a couple of VW Golf Mk1 heater water valves to modify accordingly (as suggested by numerous forum users as the best fix).

In order to eliminate any issues with the heater core/matrix, this was removed in Sep 2019 and cleaned, flushed and pressure tested by Dave at Ready Rads in Highgate, Birmingham, who pronounced it to be a good ‘un with no cold spots showing up and no leaks under high pressure. Have obtained new genuine Volvo hoses and clips to connect the matrix back to the bulkhead / heater control valve, as well as a new gasket for the heater air intake under the windscreen cowling panel. Heater pipes have been checked for blockages and cleaned.

Carpets and underfloor padding have been removed and cleaned to remove coolant residue. The carpets and seats have not yet been refitted due to the need for welding to both the drivers’ side footwell and the passenger side footwell. Both of these areas have been previously repaired prior to my ownership, however whoever carried these welded repairs out had plated over the floorpan holes from the underside of the car, (which appeared sound from beneath on initial inspection). Removal of the carpets and sound deadening revealed that old rust had not been removed, and hence damp and coolant had penetrated into the metal from above. Unfortunately on the passenger side, the corrosion had penetrated into part of the chassis rail and front n/s jacking point, a section of which will need to be replaced.

Otherwise, the structural condition of the car is sound - the rest of the underside was de-rusted, coated and undersealed in 2017 whilst the exhaust was being replaced, and the battery tray in the engine bay also had some welded repairs.

Bodywork is pretty good - panels are straight and no evident rust issues to body panels. There are a few minor scratches and stonechips here and there, two obvious scratches on the n/s rear corner where a shopping trolley rolled into it..

Black leather seats from an early 940 have been acquired to replace the saggy grey velour items.

New tailgate gas struts have been fitted. Car also has fold-down Volvo dog guard fitted. Car also comes with original Volvo GRP / plastic tailgate load tray and has a tow bar with 2 x electric sockets.

The car started and drove as recently as August 2019, when it was last moved into position for renovation to take place. I have bought a haul of service parts which would be included in the sale if a reasonable offer is received, and are listed below.

Front wheel bearings, brake discs / pads / calipers were all replaced by me in 2017; a necessity due to the brake back plates having dissolved.

Rear half shaft flanges, brake back plates, calipers, discs and pads were also replaced by me in 2017, together with handbrake shoes and springs.

Receipts retained for all parts purchased / fitted in my ownership.

Brake fluid flushed and changed in 2017.

Centre and rear exhaust pipes and boxes were removed in 2017 and replaced with new items due to rust issues.

Some electric circuits were only working sporadically when recently running - I think that the likely cause of this is water / coolant having dripped into the fuse / relay tray from the heater ducts. Battery is approx. 3 years old.

Mechanically, the only issue I’ve previously had was a failed clutch slave cylinder which was replaced in 2015. The engine would benefit from a service and a cam belt change and balance shaft belt change, but does run as previously stated.

Parts offered with car:

2x Champion front wiper blades (new)
1x Bosch rear wiper blade(new)
2x Pagid front brake hoses (new)
1x front R/H side light / indicator unit (new)
1x Prospark ignition lead set (new)
4x Volvo genuine spark plugs, p/n 272464 (new)
2x power steering and fan belts (new)
1x engine oil filler cap (new)
1x Bosch oil filter (new)
1x thermostat (new)
1x Fram fuel filter (new)
1x Beru rotor arm (new)
1x air filter element (new)
1x amplifier bypass lead (new)
1x dashboard adapter plate and audio harness (new)
1 x rocker cover gasket

I have also got 4x Kumho Ecowing 195/60 R15 H 88 tyres, which I bought from blackcircles in July 2019, total cost £165. These can also be included with the sale should a satisfactory price be agreed.

The car currently has 2 x Vredesteins on the front, which were new in 2015, together with 2 older tyres on the rear - these have cracked and are only suitable for scrap.

I am happy to discuss genuine, sensible offers. The car needs to go, so I am not willing to break or sell individual parts.

I will, if time allows, attempt to carry on with putting the heater system back together - I know from doing lots of forum research that people can be put off by this issue!

Feel free to ask any questions - PM me if you would like to discuss...

Andy