1991 Volvo 240 from North America - Comments

In Feb. 2004, the AC condenser went bad at 148,000 miles. This was a $625 fix, and was retrofitted. The retrofitted unit blows 38 degrees. It can pull a lot of power on the lowest setting, cycling on and off, so I run it for shorter times on a higher setting.

The crank seal, cam seal, and timing belt were replaced at the same time as the AC unit because the car was smoking. $250 for mostly labor. No more smoking. Also, the hood latch became impossible. New parts and labor were only only $10 (done at the same time that the AC condenser). At the same time, I replaced a headlight and turn signal light myself because the lense had suffered considerable sun damage. $170 for parts. The handle for the driver's door had come loose. I fixed it myself for free. Also, oiled the door hinges, which had become sticky. Now very smooth.

At 130,622 miles I had to replace a lug nut. $26.00 The original hub caps kept flying off, so I got aftermarket ones, for $60 and have had no problems ever since.

I also have replaced the timing belt at 116,831, and I had a tuneup at 108,617 miles. $142.

I live two blocks from the ocean and have some rust issues. Especially the windshield seal on the driver's side. I keep this maintained with putty and paint. It's right above many electrical parts. I've had four volvos, and they all rusted in the same spot!

I had brake rotors and calipers replaced at 121713 miles. No problems ever since. $524.

Electrical issues that are more annoying than expensive. The overdrive began to stick on at $145,000 miles. The repair was $60.

You have to maintain any car. I've had this car for 10 years and have been driving Volvos for the last 20 years. Repairs are less expensive today than ever, due to availability of aftermarket parts. Don't let anyone tell you getting an old Volvo repaired is expensive. It isn't. It's worth every cent.

You can greatly improve the look of the car with a little effort. Paste wax once a month, and apply a cleaner/lubricant to all the black accents, (side mirrors, seals, etc.) If the accents look gray or old, apply a lubricant once a week for a month to build it up. It will come back! I clean the interior and carpet with dish detergent, and it all looks new. Wear has not been a problem.

I drive this car mainly to work. The speed limit is 45 or less the whole way, so I rarely go much faster. Performance is not an issue.

My insurance is $240 a year!

It sounds like you're pretty familiar with the inner workings of this car, so I hope you wouldn't mind if I asked you a question.

I've been told that my '91 240's A/C compressor is about to bite the dust as well, something that happened around the 148K point like yourself. I'm at 158K currently and haven't bothered replacing the compressor yet, because I was advised by mechanics to leave it alone until the compressor finally kicks the bucket, and use the A/C sparingly in the meantime.

I think, however, that I've reached the point where I want to look into replacing the unit. It gets into the triple digits during the summer here in the San Fernando Valley, and the 240's abundance of glass assures that the interior is never exactly cool to begin with, even in the wintertime. It can be difficult to rely on open windows.

Besides, whenever I turn on the A/C, the compressor makes very audible noises as the automatic transmission changes gears. I forget the specific relationship (Perhaps you know?), but I know that in this car the compressor and transmission are interlinked somehow and I don't feel like I'm doing the car much good keeping this ailing compressor unit. Sure, it works fine and all, but those noises are making me paranoid.

OK, here's my question: did you have your compressor replaced at a Volvo dealer, or with an independant mechanic? I received a price estimate from one mechanic in the $800 range, definately higher than what you paid, so I was wondering.

Additionally, did you experience problems similar to the ones I described to you earlier? Do I even need to replace the compressor? Should I just tough it out and roll down the windows?

Thx,

ARipburger1995@yahoo.com.

I did not experience the audible sounds you have experienced. I don't know about the connection between the transmission and the AC. I think if you want to keep your investment in this VOLVO, you probably need to keep it comfortable, and that means replacing the AC condenser. I would suggest that you try to find a mechanic from Europe. Getting the dealer to put in the AC is not something that I would recommend, simply because it costs too much. My mechanic is Dutch. He is much experienced at diagnosing aches and pains, because in Europe he worked on so many Volvos. I live in Florida. He's faster at that job, and that saves me money. I would have sold my VOLVO if I had not made the decision to replace the AC. Since my entry I have invested even more in my VOLVO.

$723 - music system and replacement window tinting (Actually it was a gift)

$1,608 - body work and a paint job.

$40 - newer more rounded hub caps from an auto parts store,

$214 tail light

$192 - tires

$140 - hood latch and cable (A must!)

$135 - drive belts and thermostat.

If your car needs something and you can afford it, you can probably have confidence that it is worth the investment. You will be more likely to keep this safe car (and all the money it is saving you in car payments, taxes, and insurance!) if feel comfortable driving around in it. Some people are taking care of these work horses and they are lasting over 300,000 miles!

I hope you can get the AC so you can enjoy driving this great car!

I have a '91 240 wagon since new, here in Canada. It has over 250,000 Miles on it and is my primary vehicle. The air doesn't work real good, but hey, I'm in Canada how hot does it really get? I have used Synthetic oil since new and it burns less than a Quart between changes. I have the car oil sprayed anually and that keeps the rust at bay. The car looks new and I have never waxed it. It has a clear coat and apparantly never needs waxing. Other than being underpowered It's a good solid car. I don't see the reason for changing it until it wears out. I'll probably be in a home by then.

Regards Robbie.

I love my 1991 Volvo 240; mileage is only 76,000 miles and in the past year I've had to replace the water pump, muffler, and computer chip (engine just "died" on the highway, but I was able to restart and drive home using the gas pedal and brakes. Before this I didn't have any major repairs, aside from replacing the freon fed air conditioner (?) which was covered by my warranty.

Aside from an oil change every three months, I really don't know what else I can do in the area of preventive maintenance. I try to have the car detailed every three to four months, but I have what looks like crazing and little pits in the original paint on the car's roof. No one seems to know the cause. Would appreciate input.

I think you should have the car painted. The body shop could buff down the problem paint and prepare the car for a new paint coat, preferrably the same color you have. You could get 200,000 more miles out of this car! Might as well look great in it. Since the body is in good shape, you could get yours done for a few hundred dollars. My body shop did a lot of prep work and that's why the paint job cost so much. Yours won't cost much at all.

I have owned Volvos for the past 35 years. A few years ago I purchased a 1998 Volvo AWD XC wagon. I love it. This vehicle replacd my 1991 Volvo 240 which I have owned for 12 years. I had no intention of selling the 240. My son got his license in April 2006 and the 240 was his car. I had the vehiCle detailed on the day he got his license and it looked brand new... leather enterior, sunroof, nice car. He has been driving it for a year now with over 225,000 miles and it runs like a charm. Actually, if it were not for the AWD on my car... I love the 240. Safe, reliable and fun. I owned a 145 wagon that had 450,000 on it before I was hit and the car was totaled. I drove the car for 6 years and the insurance company paid me more than I paid for the car. VOLVO FOR LIFE.