90, 245
150,700


I need to make about a 1,000 total miles trip in about one week. I prepared a list of what I should do to the wagon before taking that trip but ended up getting so overwhelmed with all I was figuring out about then entire situation with this particular vehicle that I am ready to call the whole trip off. I wanted to take this vehicle because it is a wagon with a roof rack and has more room for things. Not sure how to explain it but perhaps a chrono is a better approcah.


History -
I am the third owner. Sis and Bro-in law was the second, but neither do an DIY work; hence, vehicle was driven into the ground. Plugs, wires, cap & rotor, drive belts all newly replaced before I got the vehicle.

Repairs Done -
Upon inheriting the vehicle I have replaced 4 tires; thermostat; CAT; O2 Sens; caliper; battery; clean flame and check flud levels regularly; cleaned engine and undercarriage; re-soldered some relays; did a bunch of minor dash work getting lights reworking; other minor stuff.

Current Problems -
Oil leak of some type ... Symptom: oil on ground and burned oil smell after driving the car (read archives, can't say if it is a valve cover leak, a oil pan leak, or rear main seal?). Vibration when accelerating form dead stop: suspect some suspension bushings need replacement.

Needed Repairs -
Missing two trans bolts (AW70) at front of aluminum Funnel shaped thing. Intermittent squeal when engine starts and shuts off sometimes. Never found the time to check the rear axle fluid level yet (too busy all the time with some deadline on something). New timing belt due under 150,000 maintenance. Suspension needs much work, I suspect. Rear Shocks totally shot and need replacing, and suspect front not far behind. Steering wheel does not return by itself after making a turn; steering wheel gets hard to turn sometimes when going slow, like it is stuck in certain spots sometimes. AC not working properly (only cool, no cold air). Body held up well. Interior front seats need some panels replaced.

Overall -
But it does seem to run without hitch, for the most part it always starts and stops okay. Sounds okay. A little shaky on idle until warm (classic B230?). Engine compression is high close together and there are no knocking sounds that I can detect. Some unevenness of engine purr, though, like a slight shudder every once in awhile have no clue what that is, but I am content to let that develop into whatever in its own time.


Well, I got to looking into the archives about doing the front seals, rear main, and timing belt before the trip, and changing the oil in the trans and rear diff - forget it, Won't happen that quick. Did a T-belt before on our 91, 740, but never did any engine or trans seals yet. Interested, yes. But I know from experience that Murphy's law is always on my back. Something just won't work out that quickly. So, what to do? Think I will take the 740 sedan even if crowded. At 145,00 it is in much better shape than the 245. But as for the 245 and the repairs, got several questions:

It seem to me that this vehicle needs to be disassembled in just about all the areas underneath the body. After I read all that was involved in doing the rear main, the trans seal, the U joint repairs, all four shocks, and suspension bushings, it seems to me that it would just be best to get it up on stands and slowly do it all at once. The archives frequently added the phrase, "As long as your down there ... in there ... near there, etc., etc., might as well do this too. I see the wisdom in that approach too.

So, it looks like I am going to have to do without using it for some time. Here are some questions for now. I was thinking about buying one of those Motorcycle/ATV jacks for the trans. The ones with the parallel support bars and a kind of opening n the center for a trans pan or engine pan to sit in. Sears Craftsman brand has one that jacks to 17" (don't know who mfrs it for Sears, though). Costco Wholesale sells an Alltrade import that claims to jack to a 20" height. I also need to remove an engine from out the bottom of a jap car. Not sure of the height I will need to do either of these jobs. Sears also sells a trans jack for about $300., several brands. Also thinking of a better quality used trans jack - maybe an older US made Lincoln, Walker, OTC, or similar item. The ATV jack certainly seems more versatile. Anyone use both these?

Btw, how does one get the trans or small 4 cyl jap engine off the jack after you get it on - same question as to back on after off? (Sheesh, all the details to always consider. Why must these details always consume us if we go for it, or result in failure or worse, when we don't. It's becoming not much fun anymore to work on my cars.

Any thoughts? Should I just junk this Volvo wagon instead? Interested in learning but overwhelmed, due to lack of ALL the details I find that any job entails, and that can easily go wrong and will with Murphy always on the prowl.

-- diyer