Lude Generation

I've just recently become the co-owner of a P plate Volvo 850 2.5 (10v). After the cylinder head gasket went, the previous owner had invested in a reconditioned head, a gasket set, and the help of an ex-Volvo mechanic to fit these items. At this stage, all that was left was to time it up, add the fluids, and drive it.

Sadly it was at this time that winter arrived last year, and so the Volvo remained trapped in a workshop on a remote Highland estate. Then, last month, just under 15 months since it had been recovered from a layby on a Motorway in the North of England, myself and some friends finished the job. After fabbing up a timing tool (not pretty, but it works!) and getting the new belts on, we proceeded to fit everything else back into the car, and finally filled it with oil and water once more.

After fitting the battery, the time had come, and we turned the car over. Nothing, it turned, but wouldn't start. After checking our work over a few times, we finally opened the fuse box - and found the fuel pump fuse missing completely. At this point one of my friends (whose workshop we were in) finally remembered he had 'borrowed' a fuse while the car was sitting there.

Fuse replaced, we tried again, and it fired up first time! 169k on the clock, 8 previous owners, no rust, and seems totally sound. Very happy indeed, now covered 1700 miles since then and has already saved me hiring a van to collect a sofa! We have dubbed him Voltan (after Brian Blessed's character in Flash Gordon, as we reckon a Volvo would probably talk like Brian Blessed).

Anyway, here he is after a clean:

Following Crazy's dream!?

Nah, it's not getting ratted, just handy to have it really. You try fitting a sofa in a lude

good point!!

You can get the mansion in one though

By any chance, do you want a tailgate with a sheet metal rear panel instead of a window?? hehe

Crazy_C wrote:By any chance, do you want a tailgate with a sheet metal rear panel instead of a window?? hehe

Tempting man, tempting

So yesterday I ordered a new rear shocker @ 38 quid to replace the one on the offside rear which is leaking. It arrived today, and looks different to the one one the car. Double checked the codes and yep, it's for an 850 estate all right - so why does it look different?

Next up is digging round the web, at which point I discover the 850 could be supplied with an optional extra - self levelling suspension. It appears whoever bought Voltan in 1997 wanted this option fitted. Now, a standard rear shock is £38, a Nivomat shock is ... £247

'Bugger that' as they say in France. So, I have elected to order another 38 quid shock, two 12 quid top mounts, and two 25 quid springs. Total cost is therefore around the £155 mark, almost £100 less than a single Nivomat shock. Given I don't tow, or intend to tow, caravans - I have to say I'm not really all that bothered at losing 'self-levelling' either

Today is the day I find out how badly 1 year in my hands has affected the Volvo I'll keep you all posted, but I'm quietly confident ... I think.

[Edit 1] - Failed

Not a bad fail though, I currently await a phone call with the full breakdown of what's a problem

lololololololololol