FB--I have a 97 GLT wagon with the light pressure turbo that I shipped to Norway in 2001 for my wife to drive. While here in the States I let me Number One son drive it, a marine engineer working for the Army Corps. He took it mountain climbing, knocked a hole in the oil pan, and toasted the engine which only had 33K miles on it, along with the turbo. This by a man in his forties. There are some things that just stun you, and that was one of them.

The advice to buy a wrecked car is sound, but may take you some time. It might be better to just find an engine or a rebuilt one. You're not going to find a wrecked 850 today with low miles on it. In 2001 it cost $5000 to replace both engine and turbo in my GLT at a Volvo shop. The engine alone, a rebuild because Volvo does NOT sell factory new engines, was around $2500. The high pressure turbo engine was around $3700 as I generally recall. If you buy a wrecked car be prepared to change out some things besides the engine, because of the so-called engine management system, which Volvo changed as the years wore on. If your daughter toasted the engine like my son did mine, then you also have to get a new or rebuilt turbo, which may or may not come with the engine you get. Definitely check on that one. The turbo alone is over a thousand. I would not install the old one in the new one even if it wasn't screaming while the engine was.

And yes, after I had the new engine installed, I bought and installed a skid plate. The oil pan is brittle aluminum, about one-sixteenth of an inch thick on the bottom, and definitely needs protection. If you're going to keep the car for another hundred K, shop around for a rebuilt one, and change it out. I tried to find out who rebuilt the ones Volvo sold, but hit a stone wall. Obviously the lowest bidder on the rebuild contract. There are people sitting out there with your engine, rebuilt or with low miles on it. Do some searching and posting, and you will find it. Phone Volvo Houston at 1-800-468-0041 and get the price for your engine so you will know where you're at price-wise. Some dealers will quote you full retail, others will quote you a discounted price. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount by telling them you're a VCOA (Volvo Club of America) member (they usually get 10% off) to see what the lowest price is. It only costs twenty bucks to join.

All the best in finding an engine or a wreck. Dick