Last week I lay my hands on another Volvo and "by default" became 700 forum user. I'm getting ready for the road with it and car has some issues.
First: When the engine is running there is a noise from under the rear of the car and gas is dripping from around the gas tank, closer to the center of the car. Engine stops and the dripping stops as well. Where should I start checking?
Second: When the Brick is on the road it pulls to the right. Tire presure is even. What could it be?
Third: The transmission. It shifts from second to third at over 4000 RPM ( my 940 does it at around 2500-3000 RPM ), overdrive works fine. Do you think that flushing transmission and filling with synthetic ATF will help?

The car is 745 turbo SW '91 with 202000 km.

Thank you for any comments you can give me.

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940Turbo '92 , 740Turbo SW '91 (PL)

Dripping: check filter and lines
Pull to right: align four wheels. If this does not solve it, then your rear springs are sagging.
Tranny flush: always a good idea. Use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.
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See the 700/900 FAQ under 'Select Link' button on the top right.

Regarding the shift times, I wouldn't be surprised if that's just unique to the car. I've had a 700 and now have two 900s, and each of them shift at different stages on the RPM gauge. For example, my '93 940 shifts from 2nd to 3rd right at 3,000 RPMs, while my '94 940 shifts at about 3,900 to 4,000 RPMs. If I'm climbing a hill, it's more like 4,100 or 4,200. With the same engine, same transmission, one would think there'd be some similarities. But each car has been decidedly different.

Kinda like the gas guage. I can get 270-280 miles at the halfway point on the gauge on the '93 (19.9 gal. tank), but I only get about 210-220 with similar driving on the '94. Once it reaches the halfway point on the '94, though, it takes a long, long time before it creeps down to the 1/4 range. Gas mileage is almost identical on both cars---about 24 about town (rural area) and about 29 on long trips. So I wouldn't necessarily think that different shift times are indicative of transmission issues. I flush the transmission fluid routinely (once a year) and never notice a stitch of difference in shift times.

Dear robhub27,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. While there's a 700 Forum - for those who have that series car - I'll respond, because your car's issues are life-threatening.

Do NOT drive a car with a fuel leak: a fire is a heart-beat away!!

The leak might be: (a) a damaged filler hose; (b) a leaking fuel pump/line. The only way to know is to get under the car. Do this in the open (not in a garage).
Have a fire extinguisher handy. Have someone within shouting distance (but not very close, so they can call for help, if the worst occurs). Use a flash-light, rather than a light powered by mains electricity. Mains electricity increases the risk of a spark, that could easily ignite gas fumes.

The pulling to one side could be:
(a) the car is out of alignment
(b) one of the tires has a separated belt (this must be dealt with urgently)
(c) a bent tie rod (also known as a steering rod).

You should get the front end aligned. Most alignment places can do this pretty quickly. The alignment technician will be able to figure out if a tie rod is bent, or if there is some other major problem. If this does not restore proper tracking, have the tires switched (fronts to the back). If that improves things, then one of the tires that was on the front, is defective. Replace tires in pairs or in sets of four.

You should definitely flush the tranny. See the FAQs under SITE FEATURES.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook