Hi everyone

I have a 1992 240 wagon with a driver's side airbag. The owner's manual says to have the airbag serviced after 10 years...has anyone been through this? (I do not know if it was serviced, as I didn't buy the car until 2005.) Is it worth it? Should I just disable it?

My concern stems from the fact that I have been in an accident where the airbag deployed, and it caused my only injury. I have permanent eye damage and now have a high risk of developing glaucoma from the blunt-force impact. (For the record, I was not in a Volvo, but a Ford...ick...and I was the passenger, not the driver)

I would only consider disabling it because airbag technology has come a long way since then, and earlier airbags are actually known for doing more damage than good. Anyone been hit with a 240 airbag?

Any advice would be helpful...

Sometime ago Volvo extended the service interval on airbags to 15 years.

I know, a moot point as your car is now 18 years old....:)

Personally I wouldn't disable it since Volvo has such an exemplary track record regarding safety.
--
95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale), 90 244 DL 300k :)

I wouldn't worry about it. I was in a head on collision in November 2006 driving my 1991 780. It basically destroyed the entire front end of my beautiful "Sophia." I saw the air bag deploy but never felt it. Volvo seat belts lock up so quickly that you may not go forward enough to have contact with the air bag. As a caveat, I do have long arms and legs so the seat is not up very close - but it's not all the way back either. In summary, my airbag worked fine after 15 years - but I probably did not need it.

Patrick
240, 940, V70, 780, 780, S90, 1800E

duplicate

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B20 blocks are different castings, as you say, but a whole lot of B18 blocks have been bored to B20 size without problems. That's a full .167 over, off the top of my head. I've built a number of B18s using custom pistons that are .112 over.

It's always possible to encounter a void in the casting whenever doing an overbore. I have had one block go to junk that way. In any case, .030 or .040 over leaves plenty of metal -- you're not getting anywhere close to the water jackets.

i've emailed volvo and the answer is there's nothing in terms of servicing you can do about the airbags.

weird...the manual says "the airbag module should be replaced approximately every ten years and that the other components in the system (wiring, connectors, etc) should also be inspected at this time." And then it says that it can only be done by an "authorized Volvo dealer."

I guess my next step is to stop at a dealer. I have been putting it off because dealers are generally wicked expensive and not worth the money...

Oh well. Thanks for your response anyway!

knock yourself out. here's the email i got from volvo usa in verbatim.

=================================

*****,

Thank you for contacting Volvo Cars of North America.

We apologize, but there are no diagnostics available for air bags and/or specific recommendation for replacement.

Drive Safely,
Anne
Volvo Cars of North America

Original Message ----
> From : *****
> To : customercare@volvocars.com
> Subject : airbag life span in 240 [INTR:292210]
> Date : Fri, 15 Aug 2008, 02:37:45 PM EDT
>
>
> Howdy,
> i have a '91 240 with driver's side airbag. i heard that volvo
> specified these airbags to have a 15 year life span and that they
> should be tested or replaced at the end of that. would you confirm
> that? and if i need it tested and/or replaced, who should i contact?
> what's the approx associated cost? thanks.
> *****

The vinyl cover of the one in my '91 is ripped on the sides, so I found a '92 in the boneyard that had a good cover on the SRS module. $30. New one is $650 or so. I would imagine that it'll still explode on command ;)

I don't think there is any way to check to see if an air bag is functional unless you set it off. They are a single use item and an expensive one at that. Volvo probably recommended a 10 year replacement period to compensate for possible deterioration. Like with timing belts, it is suggested you replace them after a number of miles even if they appear okay.

Save your money. Replacement may be more than the value of the car.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb but electronic ignition and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.