New 940 soon to be owner

[tom9]

Looking to buy a 940 and I've got my eyes on a car but the speedo is broken and it could do with a cambelt among a few other bits. Otherwise, it's had about £1,500 spent on it in the last few years with a brake system overhaul, new clutch, rocker cover gasket etc.
The car is just under £1,000 so I'm not expecting perfection!

Has anyone had their speedo fixed before and if so where and what was the cost of doing it?
Also, how much should I be looking to pay for a cambelt and and waterpump replacement? Am based in Kent so would be keen to hear of any good specialists in the south east.

Thanks!

[bob12]

Hi Tom .. welcome.

A lot depends on model/engine/year/condition etc. If you have details put them up. Also if you have the reg it is useful to go to the DVSA website to look at the cars history at: https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk...026.1470071071

I don't have a 940 but a 745 which in many ways is the same as a 940. There are many on here who have 900 Series and I am sure they will give you lots of good advice.

Do you intend doing the fixes yourself. Many, like a new cambelt and water pump, are easy and parts are not that expensive.

As it's a UK 900 Series it is highly that speedo/cluster unit will have been made by Yazaki. They have their own age related problems repair isn't cheap, but that's a last resort. If you look under the FAQ's sticky above you will find many tips.

Best of luck ... Bob

[tom9]

Originally Posted by bob12

Hi Tom .. welcome.

A lot depends on model/engine/year/condition etc. If you have details put them up. Also if you have the reg it is useful to go to the DVSA website to look at the cars history at: https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk...026.1470071071

I don't have a 940 but a 745 which in many ways is the same as a 940. There are many on here who have 900 Series and I am sure they will give you lots of good advice.

Do you intend doing the fixes yourself. Many, like a new cambelt and water pump, are easy and parts are not that expensive.

As it's a UK 900 Series it is highly that speedo/cluster unit will have been made by Yazaki. They have their own age related problems repair isn't cheap, but that's a last resort. If you look under the FAQ's sticky above you will find many tips.

Best of luck ... Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your reply!

The reg for the car is L154 DKM. It's just clocked over 200k miles.
I'm not very mechanically minded so a cambelt change is beyond my remit!!

It is a Yazaki unit so will do some more digging.

Cheers,

Tom

[volvo always]

Hi Welcome.

Lots of advisories over the years on tyres, exhaust, windscreen, so run on a shoe string.

So long as the oil has been changed regularly then great. It's hardly been anywhere since 2013, so expect other things to need replacing.

Try and find out if the owner has receipts for oil and filter changes or any service history.

I would expect the radiator to need a replacement.

I have a 1996 940 LPT auto and that's on 2003,000 and no issues. Engines are great provided they are looked after, everything else is replaceable. Better if you are more hands on as garages £30 an hour upwards in labour.

Cambelt go genuine Volvo. Water pump SKF from memory. Ask here. Volvo replacement pump nowhere near as good as original volvo.
FRF Volvo are a good main dealer with trade prices for us volvo users quoting" C3". Based Swansea.
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=57125

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...=57125&page=80

Cant quote cost for waterpump and cambelt on my 940 as had lots of things done together. My 240 cambelt cost £60 labour to change around 4 years ago.

Have you driven the 940 and given it a good looking over?

James.

[tom9]

Originally Posted by volvo always

Hi Welcome.

Lots of advisories over the years on tyres, exhaust, windscreen, so run on a shoe string.

So long as the oil has been changed regularly then great. It's hardly been anywhere since 2013, so expect other things to need replacing.

Try and find out if the owner has receipts for oil and filter changes or any service history.

I would expect the radiator to need a replacement.

I have a 1996 940 LPT auto and that's on 2003,000 and no issues. Engines are great provided they are looked after, everything else is replaceable. Better if you are more hands on as garages £30 an hour upwards in labour.

Cambelt go genuine Volvo. Water pump SKF from memory. Ask here. Volvo replacement pump nowhere near as good as original volvo.
FRF Volvo are a good main dealer with trade prices for us volvo users quoting" C3". Based Swansea.
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=57125

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...=57125&page=80

Cant quote cost for waterpump and cambelt on my 940 as had lots of things done together. My 240 cambelt cost £60 labour to change around 4 years ago.

Have you driven the 940 and given it a good looking over?

James.

Hi James,

Thanks for your reply and all the pointers. The MOT has had the same bits on it for the last 5+ years so it definitely needs new tyres and a few other bits.
I don’t know if this photo will upload but this is the work that’s been done over the last few years. The guy selling has said there is no other history with the car, just MOT receipts.
I’m thinking that given its £900 or so, I can’t expect a 1 owner car with full history.

I will call that dealership about the cambelt - thank you. A local garage has quoted me £280 to replace both parts (including parts labour and VAT).

Going to view and drive at the weekend. The seller has been pretty honest with describing it and taken time to answer any questions. He’s sending me a video shortly.

Have tried to upload the last service docs. I realise it will require a service if I buy it which I should be able to do myself.

Many thanks

Tom

[griston64]

If the water pump is good and it's a Volvo one you don't need to replace it with cam belt.

I bought a Volvo cam belt from main dealer last year and it was £21 + vat. Tensioner is more pricey if gen Volvo but again if it's smooth no need to change

I wouldn't expect to pay much more than £100 from a good independent garage for just a cam-belt change

As an aside a 940 with over 200k on the clock and no history I would be looking at more like £500 tops

[tom9]

Seller has sent a video which I’m unable to upload. Car starts ok but runs quite loudly (is this normal?)

[tom9]

Here is the link to the car in question:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...had=New&page=1

There is an old cambelt change sticker from 92000 miles, hence why I am assuming this needs prompt replacement.
It also needs: new tyres, speedo fixing, glovebox doesn't shut but not the end of the world, mirror casing replacing (can't be hard), service, heated seats don't work, radio code needed (could replace with aftermarket?)

On the plus side, it has had £1,500 spending on it (see photos above) and had just had a new battery.

I don't think I will get it for £500 sadly and there aren't many cheaper ones on the market. I'd also like a manual which this one is and it's recently had a clutch.

[omc 47]

Originally Posted by tom9

Seller has sent a video which I’m unable to upload. Car starts ok but runs quite loudly (is this normal?)

Mmmnnn....depends if it's got an electric cooling fan or viscious fan attached to the water pump.
Viscous fans were fitted to non aircon and were noisy when revved and electric to aircon, many may say different but my experience comes from standard 940's also the down pipe attached to the turbo can work slightly loose giving a bit of a fluffy bark but that's probably not the case... ..best wishes for your future ownership.

The Volvo 9 series were the last of a breed and everything comes to pieces for repair just like a mechano also there are very few hidden gremlins to haunt you.
Plus a wealth of good advice on here too.

[volvo always]

Originally Posted by tom9

Seller has sent a video which I’m unable to upload. Car starts ok but runs quite loudly (is this normal?)

They are quite agricultural but how noisy?

They should sound smooth, with no misfire and idling nicely. Can you upload to youtube?

You really do need to give it a good drive and look over.

If your spending another £400 on it with cambelt, tyres, and anything unknown you could buy a better, less mileage one for £2000, if you keep looking.

Mine cost me £250 4 years ago 184k not much history, but it was £250 with 8 months MOT so not bothered. I have spent a further £1000 on it. Exhaust, cooling system, service, new disks/pads all round. waterpump/cambelt. Myself got AC re-commissioned with new condenser and used compressor.

If I added up the full cost, could of bought a late 98 model 940 with good history and less miles.

Not too bothered as its a workhorse with not great bodywork/not mint and so don't mind using as a workhorse.

James.