Fellow Bricksters

Its been a while since I've been on the board. First time on the 700series side. I was the proud owner of an 86 240, but after 270,000 miles the repair bills got too high for a college guy. So, I purchased an 89 760 GLE with 105,000 miles on it from a local dealer for $3500. This car is a dream come true. Its got everything, leather, sunroof, power everything, etc. Even the leather is in good shape. The V6 engine accelerats like a dream and drives even better. I can't believe I found this gem. It has all of the books (with the services stamped by volvo), and even the original sticker off of the car. If this one is anything like my 240, it will last a lifetime. Please excuse the ranting, I just wanted to share my joy.

congratulations on your purchase. i have the same car but 2 years earlier with 125,000 miles. mine is still running strong with no major problems. i was wondering if you have calculated your gas mileage yet? does anybody know what the average fuel economy is on a B280F? i've just recently been getting 21 mpg, it used to be 15 mpg. how is it possible for it to get better, because i didn't do anything to the car?

Congratulations! My 89 760GLE has 184 000 miles and the untouched engine sounds like new so you should have a lot of troublefree miles ahead of you if you just take good care of it!

I'll give ya $3550 for it, sight unseen.........ENJOY yer new ride!--PD

Congratulations! Look up 700/900 FAQ particularly as it pertains to your car. You may want to put in some time and money to check a few things, bring them up to specifications if needed and do a bit of preventive maintenance. On the other hand, it sounds like your car is in such good condition that you may only want to put in new synthetic lubricants and fluids. I have seen Mobil 1 synthetic cheapest at Walmart. Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil will pay for itself, likewise Mobil 1 ATF in automatic transmission and power steering, and Mobil 1 gear oil in differential. Valvoline synthetic brake fluid is readily available and cheap to flush the braking system. Volvo coolant C is a safe bet. I have had good experience with Texaco Dexcool (orange) also available at Walmart and discount auto parts. All instructions are at 700/900 FAQ. Enjoy your nice new ride. Best regards.

I read the recommendation to change everything to synthetic, including the brake fluid, and feel it would help to share a philosophy learned from a German car list.

Synthetic (DOT 5) brake fluid is not recommended for normal passenger cars for two reasons. The first is because it is not supposed to mix well with DOT 4/3 fluids and, unless the systems is flushed incredibly well, you are likely to end up with swollen seals or gummy o-rings before too long.

The second reason is that, unlike mineral oil based systems, synthetic is not hygroscopic and doesn't mix at all with water. Many people think the miscibility of DOT 4/3 fluid to water is a bad thing, but it's not. If you flush your fluid every year (or two at maximum), the amount of water absorbed through condensation is minimal and the water is carried out in the old fluid. With the synthetic, any condensation or contaminants go to the low point of the system and sit there, forming rust on whatever carbon steel surface they are in contact with, like caliper internals. Nearly all race cars use DOT 5 but they blow the lines down between major events on a regular basis. The higher end DOT 4 fluids have a fairly high boiling point and can be kept in the system for a year without aiding in the rust cycle as mentioned above. Most tracks require you to have renewed your brake fluid within 6 months to pass tech inspection anyway.

I know there is going to be someone who wants to respond, "I've been running synthetic brake fluid for 20 years and my brakes work fine" or the like. I'm not telling anyone what to do, just explaining a very common philosophy I've heard from many people who have been involved in racing and dealer service networks. If you disagree, use what you'd like. I'll put Castrol LMA DOT 4 in my cars and sleep like a baby.

Now if I can find and fix my a/c leak before summer's gone, I'll be a truly happy brickster.

Hello Mike:

Thanks for your post. What you are saying, does it apply to Valvoline SynPower (synthetic formula) DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid? I think Valvoline claims otherwise right on the bottle. I do not remember these problems brought up at 700/900 FAQ where they compare brake fluids. As I remember, ATE came out more or less on top in that comparison, but Volvoline SynPower came close and it is cheaper and readily available at discounters nearly everywhere. Again, thanks for your post. Please, let me know your answer. Best regards.

Rafael,

I wasn't aware there was a DOT 3 or 4 synthetic. I had only heard of DOT 5 as synthetic, but the water absorption problem may or may not be the same. I'll look for it in the store and see what it says. Let me know if you find anything else out about it.

Sorry if I've only added to the confusion.

Hello Mike:

Like you, I generally used Castrol brake fluid. Reading 700/900 FAQ, I came across a brake fluid comparison in which Ate Blue and Valvoline SynPower synthetic DOT 3 and 4 came out looking better than most. I have to mailorder Ate Blue so it becomes rather expensive for me. Still, I sent for some together with a brake pressure bleeder from Motive Products that works very well. That Ate Blue went into the 960. Valvoline is readily available at Pep Boys and Western Auto where I bought it on sale for about $3.50 per qt. It went into the 760T. If I had not bought the Ate Blue already, I would have put Valvoline in the 960 too. I can thoroughly flush brakes on both cars with two or three quarts at reasonable cost. Based on information in 700/900 FAQ and on the Valvoline bottle, I think this is a good brake fluid to put in street cars. So far, it seems to work well in the 760T. Nonetheless, all additional information, comments and recommendations are welcome and appreciated. Best regards.

Check out the 700/900 FAQ via the features pull down menu. There are many good tips there on buying an older car.