Question about '97 850 AWD

The pre Haldex system was a viscous drive like Subaru has been using for decades. It is a very reliable system.

The '95 through '97 850 are very reliable used cars. If the original owner took good care of it, it is a great find.

Those 850's were prone to failing rear main oil seals.

Ask me how I know..

Thanks Steve. That's encouraging.

Andy I.

Thanks Mr. V. That's *not* encouraging! .......... but I appreciate the warning.

Andy I.

I've had an '96 850, and a '99 S70 - neither of which was AWD, but they have the same engine as the '97 850. The rear seal never failed on me.

AC

Thanks Aawara. That's reassuring.

Andy I.

: : I've had an '96 850, and a '99 S70 - neither of which was AWD, but : they have the same engine as the '97 850. The rear seal never : failed on me. : : AC : : -- : Email: echo 36434455860060025978157675027927670979097959886449930P | dc

My '95 850 had a rear seal leak that was fixed under warranty early on and at 140,000 miles has never leaked again. It was problem at the factory.

Thanks Steve for adding that. More encouragement!

Andy I.

: My '95 850 had a rear seal leak that was fixed under warranty early on : and at 140,000 miles has never leaked again. It was problem at the : factory. : -- : Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA, USA : Owned '67,'68,'71,'74,'79,'81,'87,'93,'95 & '01 Volvos. : The '67,'74,'79,'87,'95 and '01 through European Delivery. :

Will the owner be giving you maintenance records? A timing-belt change is due sometime around 70,000 miles.

On my non-AWD 850, I seem to remember getting the transmission flushed around then also.

AC

Thanks for your continued interest Aawara. I'll certainly look into the timing belt change. On my '93 245 Classic wagon a sticker was applied under the hood to record the change. It had the B230F engine which is a non-interference type........... always a relief to know!

Andy I.