BlackBrick

thanks!  Found the leak!  Turned out to be the actual line to the dashboard vacuum gauge that I was using to test vacuum readings!

I finally shelled out and got a new vacuum gauge tool, and sure enough, I was actually pulling 20 at idle in Park, 17/18 at idle in Drive.

I've replaced the line, and now it's just down to the dashboard gauge being off by 1.  I'll calibrate that, and then I'm good.

 

Thanks, i'll check that vacuum line next.  If the CBV or PCV Vacuum lines don't have leaks, then i have no idea why my vacuum reading is only 17.5 (in Park/Neutral).  15 (in drive)

i redid the vacuum lines a while ago, and thought I may have mixed them up.

Yeah, you're right, CBV.  I mistakenly thought PCV. 

I am looking for vacuum leaks, and my method is to take off each line while idling at the source at the intake manifold, cap it, and see if there is any change in vacuum reading.  So far there is not.
I of course won' take off the CBV line because I think that would cause the turbo to spool up, right?

Maybe my worn engine is causing vacuum to be a little lower than normal (17.5 at idle)
 

actually i was wrong, it was $250,000.  Since Volvo sold to Ford, and then Ford sold to ?, I doubt it's still valid.  Don't try this at home! ;0)

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This year all Volvo 850s are equipped with front seat side-impact airbags, optional traction control (TRACS) and a life insurance policy that pays $250,000 to the estate of any occupant who loses their life in the 850 as the result of an accident.

http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/850/1996/

original 850s had a million dollar policy payable to anyone who died in a car crash in their 850.