1986 Volvo - Information Please

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Frank starr - 28 Jun 2004 02:24 GMT

There's someone in my area selling a 1986 Volvo Turbo Diesel for
$1295. The dashboard needs some "cosmetic work", and the a/c may only
need new freon. The fellow tells me that once he got a conversion van
for his wife they "laid it aside", but he says it's still a good car.
My mechanic, who doesn't do diesels, says they are expensive to
repair, and mostly have to be taken to dealers for repair work. Anyone
have different opionions or experience?

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Ted Azito - 30 Jun 2004 03:43 GMT

> There's someone in my area selling a 1986 Volvo Turbo Diesel for
> $1295. The dashboard needs some "cosmetic work", and the a/c may only
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> repair, and mostly have to be taken to dealers for repair work. Anyone
> have different opionions or experience?

These cars had very poor engine life as the engine would lose
compression at arounf 100,000 miles. This was a six cylinder version
of the famous VW inline four in Rabbits. The Rabbits' diesels were
very reliable.

Almost all Diesel Volvos were converted-several swaps exist- or
junked by now.

This engine is not difficult to work on-it's fully mechanical and has
a Bosch pump. Other than short cylinder life, it's a good engine and
if they had a fix (different liner and piston?) it would be very
reliable.

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Paul Spencer - 30 Jun 2004 08:22 GMT

>> There's someone in my area selling a 1986 Volvo Turbo Diesel for
>> $1295. The dashboard needs some "cosmetic work", and the a/c may only
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>if they had a fix (different liner and piston?) it would be very
>reliable.

I would add that, if the a/c has not been used for a while, it is very
unlikely just to need new refrigerant. It will almost certainly leak
and need new seals. You won't know about anything else until it is
topped up and tried.

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