I see-- the geographic constraints can be a problem! I would go for the motor mount and then get the car out of their hands!

Some very good points raised here-- the car will not run at all if the RPM sensor is bad (although they can be intermittent).

The car would run like someone put the engine in backwards if the air mass meter is pooched (the poor man's diagnostic is to unplug it to see if a non-running car will start).

My take is that none of these are necessary, at least right away.

Two approaches to consider:

1) how much to have the car shipped to AL from TX?

2) is there a local Volvo indie repair shop in the same city in TX that is willing to pick it up and do the necessary work?

Otherwise, get the tranny mount done and get the car back-- then do the simple stuff yourself and get a trusted independent shop to help you with the things you can't do...

Good luck!


--
Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/109K mi