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I spoted a nice 240 in campus parking lot and eventually met the owner last spring. I emailed her about the car a few weeks ago, as I knew she wanted to replace it after she graduated. She's still driving it but knows she has an interested buyer, if she can ever find that BMW she's wanting!
Son and I met the current owner, a student I know, for an initial look-see and test drive. Driving two blocks with a previously running engine, the temp gauge was riding high so we returned and parked it. Current owner, now a college graduate, stated "it does that but I think the gauge is messed up because it only does it when I'm going up a hill." She believed the gauge was unbalanced, because it only moved that direction with uphill travel. My first thought is a slow thermostat, as all the hoses look good (not new, but not bulging/leaking). Coolant looked good, as did all fluids. Lights, wipers, and A/C works, as does the heater -- which 'tested good' in our effort to quickly reduce engine heat. The test drive included a short hill less than 1000 feet, and a block on flat pavement, a red light, temp gauge reading high, return trip on flat pavement then downhill descent. Maybe 5 minutes total. About 3 years ago, I was driving my other son's 245 when it overheated and blew a radiator while we were sitting in construction traffic on a hot summer day.
I told her I would check on her theory of the gauge only moving when she is driving up a hill (still grinning at that.) ~>~>~> My question: won't the hose(s) have a noticable bulge before damage is done to other parts? There is no pronounced bulging of hose at the thermostat. Hoses on radiator looked good, too. She said this has been going on the entire time (less than 1 year) she has driven it. Most of her trips are less than 15 miles but she has had it on highway trips. She says she has not had any problems with the car.
Thinking back to when we looked at this new 240, I must admit, I did not check to see that if there was a fan for the radiator and if it was in motion - an oversight. I have an extra fan switch if this is the problem.
I did offer to replace the thermostat for her, as she does not have anyone in family/friends who do this sort of stuff. We know of several other age-related issues: a strut, door lock mechanism, minor interior details. She has been diligent on oil changes. At idle and driving it for two blocks - sounds/feels normal. Before we attempt another test drive in the hot afternoon, either she or I will need to take care of the overheating. Should we look elsewhere for another Volvo with this one having been running hot? She's only wanting $1000 and it's in pretty good condition. I'm a so-so mechanic - certainly not one who rebuilds engines/trannys.
We have 2xx and 7xx in our fleet at present, along with a Subaru, but this is the first Volvo we've found which is younger than our sons ;-)
Info on the next Volvo: 1993 240
VIN: YV1AS8809P1483505 Engine: 2.3L I4 MPI
Style / Body: Sedan 4D Country of Assembly: Sweden
Thanks for taking time to comment.
Glynn
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