31 replies to this topic

[pete0r]

hi there guys.

i was originally looking at 96 n/a, but it turns out the real seals i guess were leaking. i've got a few questions:

1) regarding the real seals issue - is this a common problem? what exactly happens if you let this go? do you just start leaking a ton of oil and it's an annoyance? on an stick, does it eventually get into the clutch? any issues with automatic?

2) my dad subscribes to the belief that turbo's cause more wear and tear on a car overall. thus leading to more expensive and more frequent repairs. could you comment on this? it seems as though most of you flat out say, get a turbo or don't get a 850. wait to find a turbo for your price range.

3) is 140,000 miles really that bad? i always though volvo's lasted for-freaking-ever. i'm just concerned about the overall health of the car with mileage like that.

4) any good tips for used car salesman? after looking at the first 850, i know that it's what i want and what to look for. i plan on bringing it to a dealership that's down the road from this used car place. i pretty much want to get there, (i believe they'll let me take it to dealership, unless they just said that to get me on the lot), take it be checked out and if it checks out, buy it. no fluff, no crap. i'm already sold on the car, just not this particular car.

thanks guys

[Bay13]

You hear about the rear main seal leaks a lot, but I work at a dealer and they really don't happen that often. It is something that could need replacing.

My car has 125K a turbo and is just begining to get broken in. With 3K oil changes It will make it to 300K easy. The turbo is rarely a problem on the Volvo, it's air, Oil and coolant cooled a good combination to not burn up the bearings.

[pete0r]

You hear about the rear main seal leaks a lot, but I work at a dealer and they really don't happen that often.  It is something that could need replacing.

My car has 125K a turbo and is just begining to get broken in.  With 3K oil changes It will make it to 300K easy.  The turbo is rarely a problem on the Volvo, it's air, Oil and coolant cooled a good combination to not burn up the bearings.

great, thanks for the response.

what exacty happens with the real main seals leaking? i'm glad to hear it doesn't happen often, i guess the first car i looked at was one of the not-so many that leak

[Bay13]

It's a seal made of rubber, and in time it quits sealing, could be cause the PCV system wasn't kept clean and free, so excessive pressure builds up in the crankcase and the seal leaks.

[Plan_B]

You hear about the rear main seal leaks a lot, but I work at a dealer and they really don't happen that often.  It is something that could need replacing.

My car has 125K a turbo and is just begining to get broken in.  With 3K oil changes It will make it to 300K easy.  The turbo is rarely a problem on the Volvo, it's air, Oil and coolant cooled a good combination to not burn up the bearings.

I am not a mechanic, Bay13 is and he seems to know what he's talkin about, BUT, I have heard and seen a lot of rear seals needing to be replaced. My car had it done at 111,000 miles and it cost around $700.00. Any car with high miles is going to cost you in the long run, so as long as you are ok with that then go for it, if your not then get a new cheap car under warranty.

[Ivanfbi]

1)Well, I have a 96 GLT, N/A, and i have 120K, and the reaR, not real seal is leaking on mine, and its been doing that for over 5K, and my car doesn't really leak much of oil...I don't have to put the new oil all the time, just when I change it. To change it, you have to take off the tranny, which is a hassle.

2)The turbo volvos do run less than N/As, mostly because people don't take care of them, like if the vaccum hoses rip off, they can kill the turbo, also, the turbo wears by itself, and some not too much stuff can simply save it for longer, like BOV, wastegate...

3)I had a 740 with 357K and it was still running strong, but it was N/A. And I am sure that many people here have high mileaged turbo 850s here, way more than 140K.

4) I will leave this one for someone else to answer

[Bay13]

Any car with high miles is going to cost you in the long run, so as long as you are ok with that then go for it, if your not then get a new cheap car under warranty.

Agree 100%

[Ivanfbi]

also, i am going to change the seals, in about a month, when i will have the lift, and transmission lift...

[pete0r]

You hear about the rear main seal leaks a lot, but I work at a dealer and they really don't happen that often.  It is something that could need replacing.

My car has 125K a turbo and is just begining to get broken in.  With 3K oil changes It will make it to 300K easy.  The turbo is rarely a problem on the Volvo, it's air, Oil and coolant cooled a good combination to not burn up the bearings.

I am not a mechanic, Bay13 is and he seems to know what he's talkin about, BUT, I have heard and seen a lot of rear seals needing to be replaced. My car had it done at 111,000 miles and it cost around $700.00. Any car with high miles is going to cost you in the long run, so as long as you are ok with that then go for it, if your not then get a new cheap car under warranty.

700? did you go to a local place, or the dealer? my dealer quoted me $1200

[Ivanfbi]

lol, the seal itself cost like $30, the rest of it is just labor.

[Plan_B]

lol, the seal itself cost like $30, the rest of it is just labor.

I will look at my records to make sure on the price, what does N/A mean?

[pete0r]

lol, the seal itself cost like $30, the rest of it is just labor.

I will look at my records to make sure on the price, what does N/A mean?

base model, not turbo, not glt

[Ivanfbi]

Naturaly Aspirated

[Plan_B]

lol, the seal itself cost like $30, the rest of it is just labor.

Ivan you are the man!~, totally close, the seal was $22.74 and labor was $729.75, thats with tax and at a dealership!

[pete0r]

lol, the seal itself cost like $30, the rest of it is just labor.

Ivan you are the man!~, totally close, the seal was $22.74 and labor was $729.75, thats with tax and at a dealership!

darn

i could see spending 750 dollars.. i wonder why i was quoted 1200...

[Plan_B]

Naturaly Aspirated

Natuarly aspirated, natuarlly stupid name!

[96 t5 wagon]

if possible check the cars history (serv. records, etc.) on my wagon i went to both dealers that the car was serviced at and got copies of everything that was ever done to the car and this was after i called and talked with the service dept. about the car. just try and make sure it has regularity behind it.(oil changes, even little nick knack stuff--if it was taken to the dealer for small stuff more than likely, in some cases not all, it was taken to the dealership for large repairs ) otherwise you will be starting off in a rather expensive relationship. any VS member will tell you to take your time and find the "right one" the first time--

Edited by 96 t5 wagon, 18 March 2005 - 04:16 AM.

[Ivanfbi]

because dealers charge more for 1 hour of labor. Like a $100. Some shops do it for like $30-40 per hour, and the labor cost like 400, and it would be same quality of work..

[Bay13]

Prices are different all over the country, and around town as well. Depends on the hourly labor rate, and what work is going to be done. For instance, when I do the rear main seal I also replace the torque converter seal. I put new sub frame bolts in, new flex plate bolts. Some shops just yank the trans replace the seals and re-use the old bolts. Re-using angle torqued bolts is not a good idea.

[Plan_B]

Prices are different all over the country, and around town as well.  Depends on the hourly labor rate, and what work is going to be done.  For instance, when I do the rear main seal I also replace the torque converter seal.  I put new sub frame bolts in, new flex plate bolts.  Some shops just yank the trans replace the seals and re-use the old bolts.  Re-using angle torqued bolts is not a good idea.

I would like to know what mechanic charges $30 to $40 an hour!.

Bay13 you should jump ship and move to Oregon, we need moe Volvo repair men here.

However, I love my mechanic.....he rocks and is reasonably priced