fixup questions for "new" 88 240 wagon

I recently bought an '88 240 wagon with 234K for 1K. I have some fixup questions.

  1. I need to adjust the parking brake before inspection. Other postings directed me to remove the parking brake console by removing the two screws at the side rear, lifting the back slightly and pushing forward to clear the front hook. Looking carefully inside the console I can see that there are some slightly curved slots in the side that engage posts so the console is positioned correctly front to back. I can not lift the console high enough for the slots to clear the posts and I don't want to force it because I'm sure the console would start cracking. Is there a trick that I'm missing?

  1. I've driven the car 2000 miles mostly on short trips. On two occasions the temperature gauge has gone unusually high and has approached the red zone so I stopped for a while to cool off. Is the likely cause a thermostat that's getting stuck or maybe an electric fan that's not coming on?

  2. I'm leaking oil from the bottom. I took the car in for diagnosis/repair and the mechanic's conclusion after a visual inspection was a bad rear main seal. Both the mechanic and other NG postings say this is a 6 hour job -- seems like the (auto) tranny must be dropped among other things. I didn't get the repair done because the mechanic (reliable Volvo specialist) had no seals in stock. Is this an unreasonable job for a solo weekend mechanic or should I go back to the mechanic?

  1. I frequently but not always hear a high pitched whine from the rear that increases in volume with speed. What are the possible causes?

Thanks, Ray

Reply to
Raymond Cruz
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Remove the rear cover on the console. Just use a ratchet and a long extension to tighten the nots on the cable.

First check the wiring on the sending unit. The insulation cracks and grounds out to the block causing the guage to go high. Make sure the aux fan for the condensor is running.

diagnosis/repair

Park the car for a few hours. See where the stain is. If it is under the front of the engine it is the front seals. If from the rear, you must inspect closley to see if it is the front seals and it is running to the rear or coming from the transmission which would indicate a rear main seal. The rear main does pay 6 hrs. flat rate but a good Volvo mechanic can do it in 3 hrs.

I have replaced only 1 diff on a 240 in 15 years. Pull the fill screw on the rear end. Fill it until the gear oil runs out. Might solve your problem. Could be a whinney wheel bearing .

Reply to
Rod Gray

One other thing to check if it's the rear, see if it's leaking from the back of the valve cover and drizzling down the back of the block, had this happen on my 240 a few years ago.

Reply to
James Sweet

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