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When I got my new to me 1990 240 DL sedan a few months ago, I knew it had issues from sitting and being revived by a less that stellar mechanic. I just did not realize how bizarre the problems would be.
Not being able to get the craptastic oil filter off because it was installed by a gorilla, not surprising.
Having flame trap clogged solid and all the oil leaks disappearing once corrected, not surprising.
Finding that the oil separator is brand new with a still legible Volvo label, surprising.
Unable to remove rotor because the key portion is stuck in the dist shaft, surprising. (I ending up having to smash it with the channel locks and drive the remaining piece out the key-way with a screwdriver and hammer)
Tail shaft bushing and seal shot with less than 110K miles, surprising...especially because no u-joints seem bad and the center carrier is good.
Totally shot seat foam, again with less than 110K miles, surprising.
No electrical problems outside of a marginal dimmer, surprising.
Only two front suspension bushings looking shot and all other front suspension bits looking OK (struts and/or springs are awful weak..leans like a drunken sailor in the corners), VERY surprising.
Rear trailing arm bushing on the PASSENGER side shot but not on the drivers side, surprising.
This car is a constant mystery. I also found writing in paint pen on the drive shaft so it something happened there at some point.
Every single relay needing resoldering, not surprising in the slightest.
25AMP fuse and holder in perfect condition, VERY surprising.
I am beginning to wonder if this car has had a checkered past...maybe it was someone's parts car for a while and then someone else used as a shell to fill with their donor parts? All I know is per DMV records the car stopped accruing miles more than a 1000 per year in 2001. The original owner was the owner of record for the car's entire life...they just were not the seller because of IL's annoying title jumping process.
Now for my only question of the day, if the steering moves smoothly from side to side but the strut bearing rubber tops are badly cracked, am I still good for a while? The goal on this car is only for it to last me another 18 months until I will be authorized by she-who-must-be-obeyed to start looking for a 940, non-turbo wagon.
Thanks,
Onkel Udo
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