I have an '89 245 with an M47 and it is eating clutches. I bought it with a little 200K for cheap, knowing the clutch was wonky. Here is a brief history:

- 190K (approx.): Previous owner claims original clutch replaced
- 220K: I had full clutch kit replaced, flywheel re-surfaced, rear main replaced (apparently aftermarket, more on this later).
- 225K: Clutch slipping again, last shop warranties it.
- 230K: Clutch slips again. I had moved home from college and away from last shop. Notice pronounced kink in old, plastic aftermarket clutch cable. Install new OEM cable. Doesn't fix slipping but mitigates it from getting worse.
-236K: Clutch suddenly gets bad. Have Sachs kit installed at the shop my Dad's been using.
-238K: Clutch slips bad again. I notice oil now coming out of the bellhousing. Apparently "new guy" dad's shop had noticed rear main had come part way out but didn't tell anyone and reseated it. New Guy has now purchased Dad's shop and warranties clutch disk. Installed new OEM rear main at same time.
-239K: Clutch starting to slip again! No apparent leaks at this time although I have yet to drop the bellhousing again since New Guy refuses to work on the car anymore and is closing the shop at the end of the month. Legal action pending.

I've been driving manuals since I got my license in 1997. I've autocrossed, offroaded, and drag raced (other vehicles) and have never burned up clutches like this. I don't race the car, I don't tow with it, and it is bone stock. I've been watching my flame trap and it's clear.

Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm pulling out my few remaining hairs trying to figure this out. I was a Volvo technician before I went to college and this is my family's sixth Volvo and third 200 series. I feel like I have a solid working knowledge of how these drivetrains work but obviously I'm missing something here. Unfortunately, I'm an office guy these days and I no longer have the facilities to tear into this thing myself.

It's looking like I'm going to have to eat another clutch job (at least for the time being) so I don't want to keep throwing parts at it. Obviously something else is up if it's chewed up 4 clutches in under 20K miles but I can't figure out what else to replace in there. In the mean time, I've taken this car from righteous basket case to (fairly) well sorted so I really don't want to throw it away over this as it'd actually be worth some money now if the clutch would actually hook up.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.