I'd definitely be doing a coolant flush for peace of mind anyway, 16v heads are very sensitive.

Just having a further familiarisation session around the 740. The engine bay contains a quite a lot of genuine Volvo labels and parts etc. That’s pleasing, but could also indicate some very old parts too. But I can’t see any obvious signs of old or perishing hoses etc !!

I took a few more photos around the car.

The interior is a big plus on this car. A major reason why I was drawn to it in the first place.

I can’t say for certain that it is the original triangle, but it appears to be!

Could this be the original radiator? If it is, it’s in stonkingly good condition for a 32 year old radiator.

I just hope it doesn’t leak!! ?????????????

With regards to the radiator, they like to snap the top hose fitting off (plastic) potentially ruining your engine if you fail to notice it

That and the automatic transmission fluid cooler is in the right side tank, any leaks there and you'll ruin the transmission too (you won't realise this until your transmission clutch plates are gone)

Getting a new radiator kills two birds with one stone, keeping your engine and transmission happy for another 30 years at least

    ramrod

    With regards to the radiator, they like to snap the top hose fitting off (plastic) potentially ruining your engine if you fail to notice it

    That and the automatic transmission fluid cooler is in the right side tank, any leaks there and you'll ruin the transmission too (you won't realise this until your transmission clutch plates are gone)

    Getting a new radiator kills two birds with one stone, keeping your engine and transmission happy for another 30 years at least

    Yes I totally agree, now that I’ve noticed the original label on the rad, for piece of mind a new radiator might be on the cards.

      Whilst you're working on the cooling system, I would also replace the heater hoses, heater valve, radiator hoses, coolant tank and coolant tank hose. Also consider the thermostat and water pump too, flush the system then fill with 1:1 parts coolant and distilled water

      Doing it this way is expensive but it guarantees future reliability

      I will be looking at replacing the various coolant and heater hoses as a matter of course. Can anyone advise of possibility of locating genuine Volvo hoses? I’m guessing that my local dealership will probably be unlikely to be able to supply them now? Although I haven’t looked into what’s still available yet.

      The coolant reservoir bottle looks to be in outstanding condition, but I’ll look closer when everything is removed.

      I can supply all of the parts.

      I only use genuine suppliers

      Should also check the condition of the front strut mounts, I did pick up a 740GLE 16v with some suspicious looking pinholes sticking through the bonnet!!

      I’ve been paranoid about the sunroof since I bought the 740, when they leak, they are the worst option ever and quickly turn a great car into a musty, mouldy horror story.

      So I decided to do some tests to put my mind at ease. Firstly, I tested the outer seal around the sunroof by gently carefully pouring water into the seal channel to see if any of it drained into the inner channel and then out via the drain tubes in the A pillars.

      After flooding the outer seal several times over about an hour, all seems to be well.

      But that could also mean that the drain holes could be blocked also.

      So with the sunroof open, I poured water directly into the inner channel, and hallelujah, water drains freely from the A pillar drains behind the front wheels both sides.

      I don’t intend for the old lady to be out in the rain, but if she gets caught out, I can breathe a little easier now.

      I always cringed on sunny days following wet weather, when I would see a neighbour’s Subaru parked in the sun with all the doors open. That car would have smelt like a WET DEAD DOG.

      I’d rather catch a bus!

        Clive740

        I’ve been paranoid about the sunroof since I bought the 740, when they leak, they are the worst option ever and quickly turn a great car into a musty, mouldy horror story.

        https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/Q8SVINBI17VY/e7d070fc-8ac1-4d5d-9a69-281fed77d091.jpeg

        So I decided to do some tests to put my mind at ease. Firstly, I tested the outer seal around the sunroof by gently carefully pouring water into the seal channel to see if any of it drained into the inner channel and then out via the drain tubes in the A pillars.

        https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/HI7NNT2YJ05I/246cbf2f-1c94-4692-b7f3-cfcf3098c2aa.jpeg

        After flooding the outer seal several times over about an hour, all seems to be well.

        But that could also mean that the drain holes could be blocked also.

        https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/14AJ5066EWHM/b286ec3b-37f9-4f52-bb0f-9ccf761d97c1.jpeg

        https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/LGKTQE4C3K9W/267f24bb-e583-4d8a-8702-c12707ae105a.jpeg

        So with the sunroof open, I poured water directly into the inner channel, and hallelujah, water drains freely from the A pillar drains behind the front wheels both sides.

        I don’t intend for the old lady to be out in the rain, but if she gets caught out, I can breathe a little easier now.

        I always cringed on sunny days following wet weather, when I would see a neighbour’s Subaru parked in the sun with all the doors open. That car would have smelt like a WET DEAD DOG.

        I’d rather catch a bus!

        Good investigation and very funny hehe. .

        Your car looks amazing, you found a real gem as its getting better all the time since the previous owner really looked after it. Les.

            Ex850R

            https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/201467#Comment_201467

            Good investigation and very funny hehe. .

            Your car looks amazing, you found a real gem as its getting better all the time since the previous owner really looked after it. Les.

            Thanks, it is a lovely old thing.

            It wasn’t cheap, but the nice older gentleman I bought it from had spent a lot of money on the car, much of which was simply because he was just very finicky, and wanted it to stand out.

            And I paid less for the Volvo than I sold my old Datsun Bluebird for. So I’m comfortable with the price I paid and the more I get to know the 740, I can see it’s been very well cared for.

                Clive740

                https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/201468#Comment_201468

                Thanks, it is a lovely old thing.

                It wasn’t cheap, but the nice older gentleman I bought it from had spent a lot of money on the car, much of which was simply because he was just very finicky, and wanted it to stand out.

                And I paid less for the Volvo than I sold my old Datsun Bluebird for. So I’m comfortable with the price I paid and the more I get to know the 740, I can see it’s been very well cared for.

                https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/RP75L5XUHLSN/e968b141-27ad-4759-9904-392db580335c.jpeg

                The Datsun was a hark back to the 1600 and that was a great thing, would like a Bluebird for fun!

                    Ex850R

                    https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/201470#Comment_201470

                    The Datsun was a hark back to the 1600 and that was a great thing, would like a Bluebird for fun!

                    If the Bluebird was a manual, I would never have sold it.

                    The Volvo feels happy to be auto, but the Bluebird always felt like it wanted to be manual.

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