GreasyFingers805
New member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2019
- Location
- Ca, United States
I drive a 89 Volvo 740 GLE 16 Valve, 228.6k miles. I'm not very mechanically inclined but I try to do what I can and research a lot to have a basic understanding of things. I've only successfully changed the thermostat once and alternator belt twice myself. I check fluids weekly and get new tires replaced as needed. Oil change every 3k miles too. Pretty much basic maintenance, but I feel like I've learned so much in a year!! Then I quickly humble myself and realize there's a lot more to it. Haha.
-I have a cut and leaking trans cooler line held together by a fuel line hose and clamps. Don't know where to start to find this replacement line so I'm constantly checking it to ensure no leakage. I believe I have a part number written somewhere but not sure if right.
-Brake master cylinder is dead and car almost skids for sudden stops. Driving with 2 car spacings to ensure enough time to stop smoothly. Bled brakes and had a flush, didn't work so mechanic assumes brake master cylinder is bad.
-A few lighting problems; broken turn signal reflector, headlight, and taillight. All bulbs still function. Found some 4x6 Lumen headlight h4 sets high and low for cheap, not sure if reliable. Would prefer to get round euro style with LEDs but couldn't find them. Any idea where to get some?
-AC blows warm, good for winter and sucks for summer. Is there a way to know if it still works without spending too much?
-02 sensor code that doesn't go away after 2 attempts of fixing and failing. Replaced myself and cleared code, worked but came back after a few miles. Mechanic attempt and failed to fix?? Not sure how that happens. Said something about I put it in the wrong hole. Heyyooo. Lol. Didn't bother to go back out of anger because I found out he didn't replace o2 sensor and all he did was reset code and charge me 115. Really need this to pass smog and register vehicle. Is it a specific one? I've seen a few different ones with regina or Bosch or something of the sort. I still have original o2 that first failed a month after I bought the car.
-I might need a new water pump soon as it looks that it's starting to leak. Or are there any seals that could be worn out? Last changed 2 years ago.
-Also need to change the timing belt asap (3k miles late, last changed at 175k.) Read 50k to be safe, how far can I go before needing to change?
-Left tie rod needs replacement. Different styles apparently, any way to find out myself which one I have?
-Was also told at current mileage suspension needs work too. Front suspension noisy due to lower control arm rod and boot. LF/RF lower arm and radius arm bushings torn. Sway bar end link bushings torn. Does it need bushings and rods and control arms? Is that part of tie rods? Or is this all included in suspension and strut upgrade? l was also told it's super expensive for this car to go oem route to replace suspension and struts. Are there aftermarket parts for cheaper yet as reliable as original?
-Shift linkage bad?
-Small oil leak at front engine and distributor. Replace cam seals and plugs and distributor seals?
-Exhaust leak from manifold. Tried to tighten this, not sure if done right.
So much to do, I don't know where to start or if I'm making the right choices. As mentioned earlier I hardly know what I'm doing and most of this is getting fixed in shops. Is it worth the repairs? Definitely timing belt, brakes and o2 sensor first, but what should be next? Will a tune up fix some of these problems? Should I fix this engine and try to make it faster someway? Or should I strip it and start a new project for a v8 conversion? Just wanting a reliable, affordable, decent speed daily driver. Any recommendations welcome! Bought vehicle for 1250 about 12k miles ago and spent 750 for stereo. Tried to fix o2 sensor and trans cooler line but only got temp fixes for 350... Brake fix attempt costed another 120. About 2500 into car now. I really love this car and it has proven to be a tank on wheels. Having previously flipped and totaled a 05 scion tc, I've come to love how safe I feel in this. Just want more speed!
-I have a cut and leaking trans cooler line held together by a fuel line hose and clamps. Don't know where to start to find this replacement line so I'm constantly checking it to ensure no leakage. I believe I have a part number written somewhere but not sure if right.
-Brake master cylinder is dead and car almost skids for sudden stops. Driving with 2 car spacings to ensure enough time to stop smoothly. Bled brakes and had a flush, didn't work so mechanic assumes brake master cylinder is bad.
-A few lighting problems; broken turn signal reflector, headlight, and taillight. All bulbs still function. Found some 4x6 Lumen headlight h4 sets high and low for cheap, not sure if reliable. Would prefer to get round euro style with LEDs but couldn't find them. Any idea where to get some?
-AC blows warm, good for winter and sucks for summer. Is there a way to know if it still works without spending too much?
-02 sensor code that doesn't go away after 2 attempts of fixing and failing. Replaced myself and cleared code, worked but came back after a few miles. Mechanic attempt and failed to fix?? Not sure how that happens. Said something about I put it in the wrong hole. Heyyooo. Lol. Didn't bother to go back out of anger because I found out he didn't replace o2 sensor and all he did was reset code and charge me 115. Really need this to pass smog and register vehicle. Is it a specific one? I've seen a few different ones with regina or Bosch or something of the sort. I still have original o2 that first failed a month after I bought the car.
-I might need a new water pump soon as it looks that it's starting to leak. Or are there any seals that could be worn out? Last changed 2 years ago.
-Also need to change the timing belt asap (3k miles late, last changed at 175k.) Read 50k to be safe, how far can I go before needing to change?
-Left tie rod needs replacement. Different styles apparently, any way to find out myself which one I have?
-Was also told at current mileage suspension needs work too. Front suspension noisy due to lower control arm rod and boot. LF/RF lower arm and radius arm bushings torn. Sway bar end link bushings torn. Does it need bushings and rods and control arms? Is that part of tie rods? Or is this all included in suspension and strut upgrade? l was also told it's super expensive for this car to go oem route to replace suspension and struts. Are there aftermarket parts for cheaper yet as reliable as original?
-Shift linkage bad?
-Small oil leak at front engine and distributor. Replace cam seals and plugs and distributor seals?
-Exhaust leak from manifold. Tried to tighten this, not sure if done right.
So much to do, I don't know where to start or if I'm making the right choices. As mentioned earlier I hardly know what I'm doing and most of this is getting fixed in shops. Is it worth the repairs? Definitely timing belt, brakes and o2 sensor first, but what should be next? Will a tune up fix some of these problems? Should I fix this engine and try to make it faster someway? Or should I strip it and start a new project for a v8 conversion? Just wanting a reliable, affordable, decent speed daily driver. Any recommendations welcome! Bought vehicle for 1250 about 12k miles ago and spent 750 for stereo. Tried to fix o2 sensor and trans cooler line but only got temp fixes for 350... Brake fix attempt costed another 120. About 2500 into car now. I really love this car and it has proven to be a tank on wheels. Having previously flipped and totaled a 05 scion tc, I've come to love how safe I feel in this. Just want more speed!