I took everyone's advice about replacing the damaged strut assembly on the '88 245 (200,000 miles) I'm fixing up for my daughter. I got a complete assembly at a pick-and-pull for $50. (I nearly dropped it on my foot as I took off the three nuts holding the strut mount in the tower). It bolted right in; strut, hub, disc, caliper and all. Even all the brake line fittings loosened with no problem using PBlaster and a good flare wrench.

I drained some really bad looking oil from the M47 tranny and replaced it with 2 quarts of Type F auto tranny fluid (I decided to not use Redline MTL this time since the tranny shifted so well even with the old oil.). I over filled the tranny by tipping the car up on the left side. The tranny drain and fill plugs were a real bear to loosen. The plugs are 13mm. I pounded a six-point 1/2 inch impact socket on each and then used a 1/2"-drive breaker bar to get them started.

Today I attacked the poor starting. I had noticed that I had to press the gas pedal slightly to get the engine started. This led my steel trap mind (pretty rusty) to suspect that the throttle body needed cleaning. It was so coked with oil deposits that the throttle position switch wouldn't even close at idle, The flame trap was also coked up as was the idle air control motor. I took all of this off the engine and cleaned them thoroughly. Much of the coked oil had to be scaped off after softening with carb cleaner. Some of the flame trap tubing was also choked up. Took me all morning.

In doing all this I found the accordian shaped air hose between the AMM and the throttle body had several holes worn where it was rubbing. I went to a local indie shop and bought a new hose. Surprise! the hose was only $1 more than on-line and was genuine Volvo instead of Scan Tech!

Now the engine starts almost instantly and idles smoothly and I've still to do the ignition tune up.

Today I also drained the very black and thick looking engine oil and changed to Amsoil 10-40. I don't want anymore flame trap problems.

I also discovered that the car overheated with the AC on and the car in stop and go traffic. At highway speed, the temperature went down to normal. I am leaning toward a diagnosis of a worn out thermal fan clutch. I'll dig into this tomorrow. I'll also put in fresh antifreeze and check the thermostat.

I still need to replace the outer tie rod ends and get an alignment. The ends they sold me today were Moog brand and a bit different from what I'm used to. These are not lubed. You have to screw in a grease fitting after installing the part and then grease with a grease gun. I'm used to the sealed ones. Has anyone on the board used these Moog tie rod ends?

Once all this is done, it will be clean and wax and then I'll get my 940 wagon, which is on loan to her, back. Boy, she's 41 and I'mm still fixing her trike!