So...

I ended up falling into a 93 850 sedan with 130k on the clock, bought from an indy shop (ashburh european in Sterling, VA). So far, it seems like a very good car, but I've got reservations and questions, having never owned a Volvo before.

The trans, when driving around town, seems to shift an awful lot... upshift, downshift, upshift, downshift. on the highway, it does very nicely (super smooth -- I can see getting some tickets in this car ;-)) I just read a bit about the trans issues -- in the 93 specifically... how can I avoid becoming another statistic? is the frequent shifting a symptom of anything? Should I use "3" around town?

I didn't get an owners manual with the car, so there's all sorts of fun in trying to figure out just what the car is trying to tell me... for instance, I'm getting a light on the dash, most times at startup, lasting for 10-30 seconds. it looks like a lightbulb with radiating lines, and it's sort of orange-ish. WTF is it? Fluid levels are normal, and I cannot find any burnt out bulbs.

Is Valve tapping normal? it's not "pronounced", but I can hear it. It sounds to me like a lifter.

other than these issues/questions, this really does seem like a nice car. it's very smooth, and it's got some good guts when you get into the throttle. I guess I'm just a bit nervous since it's my first experience with this model of car. I know that some Volvos are legendary for their durability, but it seems like some are legendary for their faults as well...

any way...

Blue skies!

--skip

The tapping you are hearing is most likely the injectors, all 850 injectors make a clicking sound. Also a friend of mine who owns a small chain of independent tranny shops (he's good and he's honest) told me some time ago that it is much easier on an auto transmission to drive it in the selector position just below OD while driving about town. The OD is there to get the fuel mileage required by the govt. So I always drive in 3 around town and 4 on the freeway unless traffic is slow and heavy, then I back it down to 3.

I think the 850 is the last of the great Volvos before Ford pollution set in...

96 850 Turbo

Welcome to the brickboard,

I have A 93 850 glt 5sp w/101k on it, that year has had tranny problems
but it could be a sensor or the pmp switch,

the tapping you hear could be the fuel injection rail, Mine taps like crazy
has been for years.

good luck

get your timing belt changed asap if its need it, 93 have a 50k interval
unlike 70k for later models

You can order the glove box "kit" (manuals) at:

http://www.volvotechinfo.com/

Valve tapping is common. Just search on "valve tapping" (below,
to the right). An oil change often helps. Sometimes some oil
seals need replacement since they distort and oil pressure drops
to the head. Thats from the top of my head, like I said, do a
search and you will find plenty on this.

Does the transmission have a sport/econo mode switch near the
shifter? Sport mode might shift more often. My wife has a 95
and the auto tranny on her car seems reluctant to down shift --
I'd rather have it shift more often.

As far as legendary goes, many people think it mean drive and forget
the car. Thats not the case. they need to be maintained pretty much
buy the book. Do that and it will last a long time.

Note the timing belt needs changes more frequently on 93s. Something
like every 50K miles. You may be due. There would be a sticker on
the timing cover indicating last time it was done. Don't put this off
if needed since a failed timing belt will cause major damage (the valves
will hit the pistons -- it is an interference design). That really
is the first thing you should look into (I think).

The trans does have a "sport/econ" switch -- it shifts even more in econ. This could just be an issue of "it's working normally" and I'm just not used to what "normal" is in this car.

As a mechanic for 5 years, I'm ok with maintenance making it last. Saturns are the same way -- change the oil every 3k, and it'll run forever. wait until 4-5k each time and it won't make it to 80k.

The timing belt was done at 100k, so I've got 20 until it's due. How bad of a job is it? a quick look says it's not -horribly- cramped in there. Any special tools required?

Blue skies!

--skip

No special tools other then what is mentioned at the Bay 13 site.

I've done it twice (two 5 cylinder volvos in the garage). First time
took about 4 hours and second time about 3. It is not really all that
difficult.

Hi Skip,

You'll find all the info for the timing belt replacement at this link:

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/timingbelt.htm

Welcome Skip,
I won't comment on the shifting, perhaps it's very different from your last car. The indicator on the dash sounds like a burnt bulb indicator (?), the valve tapping is normal however. I like to think the 850 is legendary for it's durability although I'm sure there are people here who will tell you otherwise.
I remember finding a site last year with the owner's manual on line. But I can't find it now unfortunately.

Goood luck
--
'98 V70, '95 850 GLE 10V

http://new.volvocars.com/ownerscircle/

You can go there and register your car and in the glove box section has all the manuals online.