Volvo 740 turbo-diesel

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Keith Porter - 09 Nov 2006 02:13 GMT

Hi I just aquired an 85 Volvo 740GLE turbo-diesel with only 133000 miles on
it. It has a few problems but I think they are easily fixed (mostly electric
switches). I was wondering if anyone out there that has one could give me a
idea of what kind of fuel economy I should expect with this car and if there
is a way to time the fuel distributer without a gauge. Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks in advance, Keith.

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James Sweet - 09 Nov 2006 02:44 GMT

> Hi I just aquired an 85 Volvo 740GLE turbo-diesel with only 133000 miles on
> it. It has a few problems but I think they are easily fixed (mostly electric
> switches). I was wondering if anyone out there that has one could give me a
> idea of what kind of fuel economy I should expect with this car and if there
> is a way to time the fuel distributer without a gauge. Any help would be
> appreciated. Thanks in advance, Keith.

I knew someone who had one for a while, it was an automatic and got
about 27 mpg on the freeway and 23 around town. Supposedly those with a
manual transmission do significantly better however the very few I've
ever seen have all been automatics.

Make sure you keep up on your oil and timing belt changes, at 133K that
motor is probably pretty tired unless it was well maintained. The one I
worked on was on its second motor at 160K. I've heard tales of them
lasting well but when people drive them like a gas engine and neglect
them like you can a gas Volvo motor, they die an early death.

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Roadie - 09 Nov 2006 15:08 GMT

> > Hi I just aquired an 85 Volvo 740GLE turbo-diesel with only 133000 miles on
> > it. It has a few problems but I think they are easily fixed (mostly electric
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> lasting well but when people drive them like a gas engine and neglect
> them like you can a gas Volvo motor, they die an early death.

At 133,000 miles I would want to see a complete maintenance history
that shows consistent oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles using
diesel rated oil and some indication the owner knew enough to drain the
fuel filter regularly. Otherwise it will probably be well worn out and
not worth bothering with. It would also be worth having a competent
mechanic who knows something about diesels to give it a pre-purchase
inspection.

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Roadie - 09 Nov 2006 16:01 GMT

> > Hi I just aquired an 85 Volvo 740GLE turbo-diesel with only 133000 miles on
> > it. It has a few problems but I think they are easily fixed (mostly electric
> > switches). I was wondering if anyone out there that has one could give me a
> > idea of what kind of fuel economy I should expect with this car

On the road you should get above 30mpg and in town around 25mpg.

>> and if there
> > is a way to time the fuel distributer without a gauge. Any help would be
> > appreciated. Thanks in advance, Keith.

Not that I know of.

> I knew someone who had one for a while, it was an automatic and got
> about 27 mpg on the freeway and 23 around town. Supposedly those with a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> lasting well but when people drive them like a gas engine and neglect
> them like you can a gas Volvo motor, they die an early death.

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M-gineering - 09 Nov 2006 08:23 GMT

7-8 l/100 kmh (manual OD)

and if there

> is a way to time the fuel distributer without a gauge.

afaik either a dial indicator with an extension, or a timing light with
a piezo pickup

warm it up gently, and change oil frequently

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