[abrogard]

I've got two main problems with our good old 1982 244GL - the driver side front shocker thing is buggered and it constantly loses transmission fluid and coolant.

The garage man says $600 all up to fix the shocker thing.

Is that fair enough? Could I do it myself? If I tried I'd have to get some special device, wouldn't I? Would that be expensive? Or is it something you can make up?

And the leaks are an annoyance. They are not great but they are constant. And I don't know where they are coming from. I just thought it might be worth asking if anyone has some ideas of likely places a 244 might be losing small quantities of transmission fluid and coolant regularly - and would those places be easily fixed or should I take it as a sign that I need to ditch the car?

 

[BHart]

$600. for shocks is not bad. 240s have front struts which are more complex than plain old shock absorbers.

Minor leaks are an annoyance but forgetting to re-fill can lead to needless failure. Plus there's also the green cost of spilling into the environment.

While your car is on the hoist in the shop for shocks, have the mechanic check the source of the leaks. Trans fluid may be just a loose cooler line. Coolant leak may be minor but a leaking water pump would be more important to fix.

 

[Mainzerin]

Afternoon,

I have a 240 as well and when I first got it i noticed a lot of fluid leaks. Quite frankly I took it upon myself to replace the hoses and some gaskets that I could and got rid of a few leaks. My coolant was low all the time and I re-filled and saw that the hose was disintegrating , same with the transmission hoses and with the oil it turned out that one or two seals and gaskets had to be replaced. Mind you I am not a mechanic and a girl to top it off but I got the thing done and some of the leaks gone. If you have the time do that first and if there is still leakage after that try and determine what part might not be functioning right.
Ask a friend who is a mechanic who can help you.

Hope it helps.

 

[BHart]

Men are single-minded. Women can multi task.

This might make girls better at trouble shooting since they don't get focused on one problem.

Plus, statistics show men spend a lot of time thinking about sex and get distra............

 

[Mainzerin]

Bhart,

I would have never assumed any such thing about men....LoL.......

If you have a minute to 'single task' I might have a question on a fuel pump issue....or let's say thats what I hope it is by matters of elimination.

 

[BHart]

I'll try my best. Is your 240 carb or injection?

 

[Mainzerin]

See there you go with your man-ly knowledge...I have no clue quite frankly...where in the manual can I look to figure it out which one it is.
I wanna say its injection.

Problem is in short, went to get gas yesterday drivin home through NC and the car wouldnt start. Filled up on gas and put it in level position- lo and behold cranked just fine.
Went to get gas again in VA filled her up to the rim and she wouldnt start...couldnt hear fuel pump humming at all. turn the ignition and it jumps but doesnt catch that spark. Then out of female frustration and common knowledge of 'Gravity' I pushed her up a slope...ugh....and voila....the girl started no question. And ran properly all the way home to DC.

A) does that mean I have to park on a slope from now on?
B) think its just the fuel filter thats dirty or maybe crusty fuel lines?

just replaced all the spark plugs with some solid Bosh ones and got a new starter a few months back too....

My feminin multitaskin is leaving me shipwrecked at the moment.....

 

[BHart]

Problems with rusty fuel lines would be more noticable under load or at highway speed.

You said you didn't hear the pump running when it failed to start. This could just be the relay that powers the pump. Fuel Pump Relay --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963 That's a problem with intermittent failures; they're hard to trace. Next time it fails, leave the key in the run position, open the hood and tap the fuel pump relay and see if it responds.

Some injected 240s have two fuel pumps, a main pump under the car near the tank and a primer pump located in the tank. If the in-tank pump fails, it will be hard to start. It will start eventually if you crank it long enough. You would need a fuel pressure guage to monitor what's happening when it's running well and compare it to when things are not.

You said you replaced the spark plugs. If your car has them, did you replace points and condenser in the distributor? If it's newer it could be this Ignition Transistor Units --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963 or maybe even this Ignition Switch --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963

It might be easier if it just dies completely, then you will be able to know when you've fixed the problem.

It's been said that women have more patience than men. Let's see how you do.

 

[Mainzerin]

Ach du meine Guete.....

Ok....I can definitly say that I did not replace any of the items you listed. Sorry my capabilities only extend so far. HA.....
Hmmm, I will check my manual and figure out if there are one or two pumps and then will try and follow your instructions and check out the one under the hood.
I might also try my hand at replacing the fuel filter Just in case.
Should it still come up with issues I might have to consult my local mechanic....(although i prefer not to....) or you again,...thanks for the heads up for now...I have some researching to do.....No fun without my Volvo....

 

[abrogard]

Thanks for your input Mainzerin. You got it all done? Did it all yourself? That's pretty impressive. I've done a bit of work here and there on cars but I hate working underneath and I find the Volvo engine compartment and especially the electrics a great confusing mess and a hassle.

Be better if I had a hoist and a pressure hose etc., to clean the underside.

What did you work with? A hoist? A pit? Ramps? Or just crawled underneath?

And thanks, Bhart, I'll do as you suggest if I do put it in for the shocks. I'm actually looking around (this is part of that) to see if I could do the job myself.

The poor old thing is only worth $500 or so. It's a bit of a toss-up whether or not to fix her up or buy something else.

 

[BHart]

Changing shocks means removing the front struts from the lower suspension, compressing the springs with a proper spring compressor to remove them and then changing the inserts or replacing the whole strut. Dont forget to check the top pivot bearing for smoothness.

Yes, it's an expensive repair. If the condition of the car warrants it, why not. If there's lots more stuff to fix, there's other nice cars out there.

This one looks good; http://www.volvoforum.com/volvo-sale/1348-have-sell-my-740gl.html