Hi, I am brand new to this forum and brand new to Volvos. I just bought a 1987 740 GLE for $500 from a Professor of Business at the university where I work. He bought it new and I picked it up today. He has service records for I think about the first 150,000 miles. I was happy to see that.
The car is gold, the exterior body integrity is solid, no dings, pings or dents. The paint is faded badly in several spots on the hood, roof and trunk. The headliner is gone, the right headlight hood is missing. Half of his white long-haired dog's hair is still in the car along with
1/8" of dander/dust.One tire is about to peel off, the window weatherstripping is shot. One windshield wiper is dead and the a/c doesn't work. Sometimes the speedo works, sometimes the radio works. The seats are dirty.
Now to the engine - looks good except just below the top of the timing belt cover on the passenger side, between the cover and the block the engine is leaking oil like a burst artery. Mechanic I talked to says probably bad camshaft seal and we'll change the timing belt and crank seal. Or maybe a bad valve gasket. The oil smells like gas and there was a residue of white film on the gas cap.
The best part - I bought this car today and LOVE IT! I read so many stories of how great this car is, and if I can stop the leak and there is no major engine damage - I am going to have fun whipping this old tank into shape!
If anyone has any tips on this model - please feel free to drop me a line.
Jamie Commerce, TX