I'm getting ready to drive from Minnesota to New Mexico (~1200 miles) with my '92 245. It runs good but does not get driven much. I'm doing the basics, timing belt ( it is about to age out), alt, ps, a/c belts. Checked over the front end, brakes and greased the front wheel bearings. Changed the oil. Treated it to a new air filter. Replaced the busted odometer gear. Crank position sensor is about 5 years old. Fuel pressure regulator is about 2 years old. Plugs and wires have about 10,000 miles on them.

What would you take for tools or spares ?

Thanks

Greg

Hi Greg,

Bring something to clamp off your heater hoses in case your heater core
decides to fail.

Bill

The car ran great all the way down here and continues to do so. But its days maybe numbered, the master cylinder is leaking. It is '92 with ABS and the master cylinders for those cars appear to have been discontinued for quite some time. No new or reman parts are to be found.

Anybody found a work around for this problem ?If not does anyone in northern New Mexico want a mostly functional 1992 245 for parts ?

Thanks

Greg

If your 245 is in a good state of maintenance AND gets driven regularly (even if it's not too many miles) I wouldn't worry too much.

Just take the parts that have a tendency to fail without any warning, like the already mentioned fuel relay and alternator carbon brushes/voltage regulator.
BTW, how are your fuel pumps doing, esp. the one in the tank?

I would like to add a thermostat and some coolant, as I once had one fail on me mid-drive without any signs.

I also had a waterpump starting to fail during a long trip, but it warned me with a slight rumbling sound (bearing play) at idle. As it did not leak, I continued the trip keeping an eye on the temperature gauge, arrived without any problems and had it replaced locally two days later.

Tools: limit them to what you need for small repairs.

Have a nice trip!

Do the necessary work before the trip, then get AAA Premier membership with 200 mile free tow. No need to bring a trunk full of parts and tools.

The only thing I would add is a fuel pump relay. I just through mine in the glove box so it's always their.

RonJ

You're getting great advice, Especially the wire and zip-ties. I always carry them plus a little of all the essential fluids.

For safety I stow away a reflective vest and a pair of work gloves.

Check the condition of and air pressure in the spare tire and consider carrying some tire plugs and a 12V compressor. The plugs are a quick permanent solution and are a better option than running a spare for very long.

Of course, the best tool these days is a mobile phone.
--
XC60 / Odyssey

You've done a lot. 1,200 is not asking a lot of your young beast. I’d go with trying to intimidate the Volvo gods in case they get restless so they’ll go pick on someone else's trusty 240 rather than yours. Throw the old belts and maybe a few other good used spare parts in the back in a large box with a random selection of tools, including a BMF sledge hammer and crowbar just to make it perfectly clear you mean business if they should decide to misbehave. Make tools mostly metric so they won’t think you’re bluffing. For me this is a well proven technique. The day I forget is the day they do a gotcha. Have a safe journey!
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Back in 1971, with my '62 122S, I went to the Volvo dealer parts department in advance of a 1200 mile trip and asked the same question. Looking exasperated the parts manager told me"take a fan belt". my interpretation was, if its in good shape, you'll make it. if not, you'll have to figure it out.

Yes there's a 100 things you could prepare for, but in many circumstances you won't have what you need. sorta like life... you may not have the parts, but if you have the tools...

There were no zip ties in those days, so off I went with a fan belt and my tool box, nary a hiccup, made it there and back, 2400 miles.

If you don't get around to checking the brush lengths in your alternator, bring a spare regulator.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.

Thanks Art. Do you pick the quip at the end of your messages to suit the content ? If it, this one is completely appropriate. The brushes are relatively new (less than 10K miles) but that is a spare part I do keep on hand and will throw them in.
Greg

As many tools as I could reasonably fit among the luggage. My knee-jerk answer is all my favorite or go-to tools when I am home. Thankfully, I have not had very many breakdowns along the road or while away from home. I carry a Husky wrench and socket set and another toolbox with pliers, screwdrivers, pry bar, and other assorted tools plus fuses, miscellaneous electrical fittings and plain metal wire for tying loose things together if something breaks.

The most important accessory that I found helpful is zip ties. What I do not take is the heavy tool chest.

Usually, taking tools with me is an insurance policy against breakdowns. The one time I did not have tools with me, I was fortunate enough to breakdown near a parts store and bought the few tools I needed for the repair. I look at those events as opportunities to buy new tools.
--
94 940 n/a 320k+ and rolling, owned 18 yrs; 05 XC90 2.5t for the wife; sold 92 745T; sold 88 764T