For an 89 740T:
Would it be any help to add an underhood vent, basically a duct from maybe behind the spoiler to direct air at the turbo?

The machanic I --used-- to go to, removed the splash pan, saying I didn't need it.. Is this true? Does the lack of a splash pan adversely affect anything, besides letting dirt get up under the hood?

It's real job is to catch the nuts and bolts you drop while working on the engine and make it hard to retrieve them.

Interesting- my mechanic (only wworks on volvos) swears by the splash pan. He says the dirt and extra road grime causes premature wear of the belts, hoses, etc. under the hood. However, other then that it serves no other functional purpose. Unless you are going to take your volvo off road...........haha

Get a new mechanic.

The splash pan aids in cooling and keeps road crud from getting up on engine and pulleys/drive belts. The airflow under the engine is such that airflow through the radiator and onto the engine and down and out is better with the splash pan.

I did. Me. He had been my mechanic for four years, then he charged me $400 to replace the ignition module (that's when he took off the splash pan), then told me that I had a turbo to ex mani leak, and that would be $500. I couldn't afford that, went into it myself and found that it was bad exhaust mani gaskets. (I have a hearing loss) So I fuggaddabouthim. And I feel much better, thanks.

PS- now where can I find one, besides the dealer?

IPD

Get a new mechanic.

The splash pan aids in cooling and keeps road crud from getting up on engine and pulleys/drive belts. The airflow under the engine is such that airflow through the radiator and onto the engine and down and out is better with the splash pan.

I did. Me. He had been my mechanic for four years, then he charged me $400 to replace the ignition module (that's when he took off the splash pan), then told me that I had a turbo to ex mani leak, and that would be $500. I couldn't afford that, went into it myself and found that it was bad exhaust mani gaskets. (I have a hearing loss) So I fuggaddabouthim. And I feel much better, thanks.

PS- now where can I find one, besides the dealer?

IPD