Volvo 240 - Upcoming major service items?

Things I would do:

Drain and replace antifreeze; replace thermostat.

Power flush / replace transmission fluid and filter.

Drain and replace gear oil in rear end.

Drain and replace power steering fluid and brake fluid.

Check condition of U-joints.

Tune up with new wires, cap and rotor.

Clean throttle body.

Check and grease inner and outer wheel bearings.

Check condition of front and rear suspension, especially struts and shocks.

As for replacement part possibilities, be prepared to replace a fuel pump relay, in-tank fuel pump, and main fuel pump.

Water pump will fail eventually, as may the alternator.

Electrical gremlins may lead to replacing a failed engine wiring harness.

At that age and mileage the list of things which could go wrong is very high :(. Keep getting your routine work like oil changes done by the Volvo specialist you are going to and simply ask them to let you know when other problems arise. Air mass meter, motor mounts, suspension rubber bits, shocks/struts, engine wiring harness, heater blower motor, and more are all possible failure candidates. Nothing to be panicked about, but plenty of things *might* happen.

John

This sounds like a list by someone who wears a belt and suspenders and is still afraid to stand up for fear their pants will fall down.

I have never done this on any of my Volvos except where listed in routine maintenance (never, except if discolored). An old thermostat may last longer than a new one.

I have never done this on any of my Volvos except where listed in routine maintenance (every 32,000 km).

I have never done this on any of my Volvos except where listed in routine maintenance, it seldom is.

I have never done this on any of my Volvos except where listed in routine maintenance (never, except if discolored, or brakes get spongy).

They usually are very cooperative and provide noise on acceleration or deceleration when they go bad. Don't ignore such warnings. It is bad news if a U-joint comes apart while driving.

Not necessary if you are not having problems.

This is important, especially if you use Cruise Control. What happens is that if the throttle body gets crudy the throttle can stick in the on position. A very bad thing.

Don't forget routine replacement of filters and plugs.

Routinely check seals for leakage. I do this by checking my garage floor. If I see one drop, I get it fixed.

This is seldom necessary on old Volvos. On the models involved with bad connectors, the problem usually surfaced early and was replaced by the first owner. I personally have never had this problem.

If you don't have an owners manual, the USA edition is at:

It lists the maintenance schedule on page 54. The major services are at multiples of 48,000 km (valve clearance, air filter, spark plugs) and

80,000 km (timing gear belt). The routine maintenance is at multiples of 8,000 km (check throttle body, engine mounts, hoses, belts and fluid levels, and change oil and oil filter).

If you go to

they may have the manual for your model.

I have had 10 Volvos and all served me very well for over 120,000 miles and the newer ones for over 180,000 miles (288,000 kms). I sold each one and it looked and drove just like it was new.

Is this an expensive item? I've recently started to hear a loud creaking noise coming somewhere from the rear when accelerating from the stop position while on a slight uphill incline.

Han.

Typical creaking from the rear would be from the rear trailing arm bushings.

Bob

Usually bad U-joints cause vibrations at certain speeds. Your problem sounds more like worn trailing arm bushings, it's very common at that age. I would replace the engine wiring harness as a preventative item because when it crumbles enough (and if it's original it's already started) the car will start behaving very strangely and then it will just die and refuse to start eventually. '89 I think is when they updated it with better insulation.