Could this be the original radiator? If it is, it’s in stonkingly good condition for a 32 year old radiator.
1990 740GLE 16 Valve “Eve”
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
ramrodWith 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!
Clive740I’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.
Ex850Rhttps://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.
Clive740https://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!
Ex850Rhttps://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.
Volvos come alive when manual, especially redblocks.
RoinikVolvos come alive when manual, especially redblocks.
Especially 16 valves. Livens them up so much. Although this would be a nice cruiser just to stick to automatic
Hey @Clive740 - do you want 3 spare hub caps to suit your wheels?
I found 3 surplus ones in my storage shed in Lawson which you're welcome to have as freebies. Next time I'm back on the mainland, I'll let you know and you can pick 'em up if you want 'em.
Major LedfootHey @Clive740 - do you want 3 spare hub caps to suit your wheels?
I found 3 surplus ones in my storage shed in Lawson which you're welcome to have as freebies. Next time I'm back on the mainland, I'll let you know and you can pick 'em up if you want 'em.
I’m always happy to find free spares. Thank you very much.
Sweet. I've give you plenty of warning when to drop by, since the timeframe will be pretty tight to do the pickup.
7 days later
- Edited
So I took the 740 in to my local mechanic this morning to get it up on a hoist and give it a thorough check over. We spent nearly 1.5 hours going over it with a fine tooth comb.
I’m pleased to say, the news is pretty damn good. The only things he recommends to be done in the short term are exactly what I had already identified myself.
*** His should do list;
Front and rear struts and shocks. ( car still has original OE items)
Front brake rotors are slightly warped.
Front sway bar links and bushes.
*** His could do list;
Lower ball joints. ( no play in them, but may as well while front end is out)
Other than that he struggled to find fault with the car and pointed out things that showed how well maintained the car has been.
The cooling system appears to have been given considerable attention. The coolant is correct, hoses and water pump look to have been replaced at some point and although the radiator looks to be original, it is in excellent condition. The power steering pump also looks to have been replaced/overhauled.
Steering rack has been done, also the brake master cylinder appears to have been overhauled.
He inspected the cars underbody closely and concluded, that although it looks a little dirty, it is all original and rock solid with no signs of any structural repairs. That’s always good to hear!
I will probably go further than his list in regards to brakes and suspension etc, and for piece of mind look at the cooling system more closely. But I’m very pleased that there isn’t really anything that needs urgent attention.
Another note was the exhaust is looking very old, but is genuine Volvo. His opinion is that it may still be the factory original. I wouldn’t have thought that it could be after 32 years, but I suppose it could be possible if it has had a very sheltered life. Can anyone confirm if these had stainless systems fitted in 1990 from the factory?
I’ll start stockpiling some parts now, in preparation for a mechanical freshen up in the near future.
The timing belt on 16V engines is an item which must not be ignored.
Every 80K km, it must be replaced to avoid great expense with mashed valves.
A very useful resource for 7/9 owners is this the online publication below, which covers most things that go awry with these cars.
https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/FAQSummary1.html
