timmykroek
@Ghettobird thanks Julian. Here's hoping I can keep both but either way I will have a nice R in my garage. Stoked.
94_850_t5
I've replaced 5 head gaskets on 850s and a V70, It's not unusual for you to be able to idle the car for long periods without any sign of overheating. A compression test may not provide clear evidence either. In my experience, the tell tale sign for a blown HG is indicated by cylinder pressure entering the water system, If faulty, a short spirited drive will see water pressure increase significantly pushing the water level in the overflow tank to the top as the hot gasses enter the water jacket. This can force a radiator leak, oveflow tank leak or hose leak but either way the rapidly rising water level in the overflow is usually the tell tale sign. Even your temp gauges don't always register a significantly high temp reading.
As the engine cools a small amount of water may be forced back into the cylinder and upon restart the engine will usually fire up on 3 or 4 cylinders initially.
There are some great write up online and a do-it-yourself HG replacement. Cost including head machining in a workshop etc can set you back under a grand. Depending on what other bits and pieces you'd like to replace at that same time. ie belts, pulley bearings, etc.
These are great cars and worth investing some time and dollars on, but hey, that's my personal opinion and maybe also related how much of the maintenance you are willing to do yourself.
timmykroek
@94_850_t5 thank you for the information.
You are certainly experienced in the world of 850 head gaskets so fantastic to have your advice. One of the reasons I bought the 855 is it gives me the chance to pull apart the 854 should I go down that path.
I have been using matthewsvolvosite for most stuff I am doing and it has a write up. I'm a big believer in not paying someone to do something I can do myself, but also understand my limitations.
Ex850R
Good fun too. Stand there looking at a part on the car , pull out phone for a search , fix it , new skill learned !
Plan to replace all the parts anyway. It's just a matter of time before they fail at this stage of their lives.
timmykroek
@Ex850R yeah it's a slow but steady process. Lucky for me work let's me take the hiace home so I'm never without a car should it be something time consuming or expensive.
timmykroek
And thanks to Dean the white whale is now on its way to NSW.
timmykroek
The 855 turned up today. Runs well and pulls hard. Lots of play in the front though and desperately needs the PCV done. Quickly pulled the TPS and MAF off of it to test on the 854. Definitely not the problem however the 854 TPS is no doubt shot.
Next up to sort out a compression test on the 854 and make a list of things to do on the 855.
Ex850R
Fun times!
Get a big order going from ROCKAUTO , some may jump in. They aremy 'go to' place now over FCP , PFS etc
timmykroek
@Ex850R I will check them out. Have been very happy with FCP so far over a few shipments.
I think the compression test will show the story of the sedan. Even before it overheated it never pulled anywhere near as hard as the wagon does.
Will take the wagon for a blue slip sometime soon to find out everything it needs to get rego. Just gotta let the funds trickle in to get everything done.
Ex850R
Swap the front end stuff to save cash.
Get early alloy LCAs from 93/4? 850 and just buy bushes and ball joints.
Mark at Berry Motors has good pricing too.
Mike does as well!!
timmykroek
@Ex850R thanks for the advice. Didnt even know there was a difference.
Still undecided on final plan so I will sleep on that for a couple days.
Ex850R
Later steel LCAs you need to buy the whole lot so makes postage crazy. Plenty of old alloy ones around.
nickm
I've heard differing opinions on the lower arms. And some have said don't go near them as they crack.
Check with this seller for availability and price on the 850 steel arm with ball joint. I bought a set from him and they came in cheaper than FCP when considering shipping costs.
ebay.com.au/usr/mautosau
timmykroek
@Ex850R @nickm thanks guys. I am going to swap the wheels from my sedan onto the wagon as they have good tires and then take it for a drive and see what the play is like and go from there. It may have just been a grip issue at first glance.
nickm
@timmykroek ... lower arms drop links PCV ABS and top mounts...are a given when you buy a 850 :)
Ex850R
Steel versus alloy. Same same.
You drive on alloy wheels that get more of a hiding.
They made them steel as cheaper and all in one unit plus concerns of wear in the inner bush area which for the average person is a problem.
The ones I have seen are from early 850s. They made it all the way to current day.
nickm
Triangles and fulcrum points. I'm not disagreeing Les.
Also one other issue is poly bushes will make the ride harsher.. On 17" with the 850R ride height...You are looking at getting things back not stiffening it up on the front.
Jamest5r_
Melhe hd lower arm's are just fine in my opinion and a decent price been down the poly bush route and wasn't to impressed for that area but I did make my own solid droplinks which I'm happy with
Ex850R
Trouble is @Jamest5r_ , they come from Europe or the States = $£ postage whereas the alloy ones have fully replaceableparts which means cheap to post.
nickm
I bought the Meyle.
$180 a pair plus $8.40 postage
