My new-old Volvo seems to not have had a tune-up according to the receipts for quite awhile. I am not a mechanic and have only had the brakes done and too high heat gauge tested. (See volvo story about $500 Volvo from Hell.) But I am having a Volvo specialist look it over in a week. As Winter's coming on and I don't want to be unprepared (had the coolant changed already.) Should exhaust be perfectly clean at tailpipe (dark brown or light grey deposits at the most...) I did notice a newer 850 GL with tremendous smudgey tailpipe... just shows all that fancy leather interior still can't hide somethings...

I am thinking tune-up as I've seen a little bit of black smudge in tailpipe even though engine seems to run well except for a little cold engine whineing during the first few minutes of the day's drive. (tension on belts? or water pump starting to go?) I am also concerned that I've no record of a timing belt change in quite awhile (decade maybe???) 160k is what I've got. I am pleased with the engine so far: 23 mpg and no fluids lost in 2000 miles. I think it idles a bit too high though... 1200 rpm abouts making for some jerky low speed drifting on my backroad. (or is that an old clutch???)

How often do you folks "tune-up" or engine test your old Volvos??? The shop said they'd do a standard hour and half checkup and dianostic.

Also tires for winter? Glissands? Nokias? I live in salty and icy roads Vermont.

Mainly the body work is my biggest headache so far. still hacking at keeping the underpanels patched and sealed.