....and it done blowed up REEEL GOOOD Bubba!

Ok, it is 07.15 am Saturday. Gotta tag team legs of travel around town to get to a car I can use to collect my Mom from the airport in 3 hours. I will get back to the project later tonight. I should be able to get the head off for some kind of prelim cause of death. So far, it is in the air. Exhaust manifolds are down. Intake appendages are down but that damned grounding nut!!!!!????

What I know so far......

#1 The Orange "DexCool" type coolant sucks shit. It is weeping from at least 6 different locations, including several relatively new parts. This is a characteristic of the chemistry, because it is doing the same thing in my wifes 940..... DO NOT USE THIS STUFF!!!!

#2 My Excel spreadsheet of 20 different parts shows little difference in cost between FCP Groton and Import Parts Specialists. Groton has a SLIGHT edge overall, but the guys and gal at IPS are just so damned NICE and pleasant to deal with, I think I'll stick with them.

More later......

(copy RWD and Opinions)

Hello Dear Mullah:

Sounds like you are fuquad. I am sorry about your saga of troubles with the 960. As you know, I once hoped our cars could be made reliable even if it took plenty of preventive maintenance. Like Steve says, perhaps you can find a good used engine for a reasonable amount of money. On the other hand, you will probably be happiest when you stop spending time and money on our magnificent piece of Swedish engineering. Please, post what you find the trouble to be, and let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. Best regards.

Rafael

Time for an engine from a 97+ 960/90 wreck? The used market value on these cars is low, and the body repair cost high, so I would not be surprised to see some great low-mileage late model totals in yards out there. Engines should not be too expensive compared with the rebuilding grief, and may add another 100k to the car's lifetime.

My thought, too. As mentioned elsewhere if you can find a wreck with a stamped service log...

Has there been a discussion about used 960 motors and their prices at some time in the past, or is it just my imagination?

A search on "copartfinder.com" found something like 38 960 motors available. I wonder if a Volvo rebuild would be too pricey to justify for a car with >100,000 miles on the clock. I don't think even Volvo offers anything but factory rebuilds for these motors, and I recall they're out of Sweden, too.

If it were car #3 with 2 drivers, I might try the 5.0 Ford transplant. but there are so many potential problems it would be difficult to justify in a 2 car/2 driver household.

-Bill the Cat

Mullah:
We're with you in this. BTW, where is the coolant leaking in the 940?

I am running the Dexcool in 2 of our three 740Ts and have not had one problem. Sorry about the cylinder troubles.

Yes stick with IPS - closer.

As for Dexcool - I'll haggle with you, but that's rather pointless in your pre-dick-iment.