Rust advice needed

[abtx]

Hi!

Yesterday I became an owner of a nice '97 940 estate. I wanted one for a while, and one became available locally. 200k miles on the clock, 2 previous owners. FSH. But, obviously, a car this age comes with some issues. Most are minor things I'll fix. One thing that I need to act on and help the car fight with is rust.

The MOT has advisory `Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))`. I've attached a few pictures I manage to take.

What are the typical measures I'd need to take and how urgent you reckon this is?

[volvo always]

Great to see another 940! I have a 96 940, with 208,000 miles. Runs great.

I would use a wire wheel on a drill or grinder and grind all the rust back to as bare metal as possible. Now in warm, dry weather is ideal.

Treat the metal with a rust converter product then re paint with a rust converted primer then underseal of your product choice.

Check the battery tray/ wheel arch area. Mine is going, known rust trap

James.

[abtx]

Originally Posted by volvo always

Great to see another 940!

I would use a wire wheel on a drill or grinder and grind all the rust back to as bare metal as possible. Now in warm, dry weather is ideal.

Treat the metal with a rust converter product then re paint with a rust converted primer then underseal of your product choice.

Check the battery tray/ wheel arch area. Mine is going, known rust trap

James.

Thanks, I'm chuffed to be finally able to own one of those classic estates!

I'll start working on it asap, hopefully the rust isn't going in too deep. I'm keen to keep the car going for years to come!

Thanks for the advice

[volvo always]

A car you'll be driving for years to come. Mine was an unloved, cosmetically challenged 940 6 years ago, that was going to be broken for parts.
Tidied it up over the years but certain body panels need painting, if money was no object. Cost me £250 to buy and used as my work vehicle.

The mechanicals are very reliable and easy for DIY maintenance. The body, rust wise is better than most cars of the age they are. Every 2 years, I re underseal mine with a few cans of waxoil. Built Humber, Dinitrol, lanoguard are probably better products out there, but it keeps it at bay. Will need to get battery tray area welded at some point.

Enjoy your 940! James

[abtx]

Originally Posted by volvo always

A car you'll be driving for years to come. Mine was an unloved, cosmetically challenged 940 6 years ago, that was going to be broken for parts.
Tidied it up over the years but certain body panels need painting, if money was no object. Cost me £250 to buy and used as my work vehicle.

The mechanicals are very reliable and easy for DIY maintenance. The body, rust wise is better than most cars of the age they are. Every 2 years, I re underseal mine with a few cans of waxoil. Built Humber, Dinitrol, lanoguard are probably better products out there, but it keeps it at bay. Will need to get battery tray area welded at some point.

Enjoy your 940! James

Glad you've saved it from the scrappers! It's always a shame cars that are still good see end of their life prematurely. Especially beautiful wagons like this.

One of the reasons I got one is because of the ease of working on them. I like to dabble in DIY and an old Volvo that is easy to work on is a perfect choice for me. Paid a few times more what you paid, but it was still one the cheapest around, and other than brake disc worn (fluctuating on braking), "slight seepage from a component steering rack", and, one heated seat not working, everything is in check. The suspension and engine are spot on, like a sewing machine, no knocks and bangs. Oh, and the oil temperature gauge is going up then down, never settling. And a small dent in the rear quarter. Other than those few small issues, the car is spot on!

Re the rust routine, preventative maintenance sounds like the only way to go, just hope that I'll be able to keep at bay and MOT testers happy

[griston64]

Originally Posted by abtx

Glad you've saved it from the scrappers! It's always a shame cars that are still good see end of their life prematurely. Especially beautiful wagons like this.

One of the reasons I got one is because of the ease of working on them. I like to dabble in DIY and an old Volvo that is easy to work on is a perfect choice for me. Paid a few times more what you paid, but it was still one the cheapest around, and other than brake disc worn (fluctuating on braking), "slight seepage from a component steering rack", and, one heated seat not working, everything is in check. The suspension and engine are spot on, like a sewing machine, no knocks and bangs. Oh, and the oil temperature gauge is going up then down, never settling. And a small dent in the rear quarter. Other than those few small issues, the car is spot on!

Re the rust routine, preventative maintenance sounds like the only way to go, just hope that I'll be able to keep at bay and MOT testers happy

Do you mean water temp ?

[baggy798]

I'd have skipped on buying the car based on that 3rd picture. Did you get it cheap?

[abtx]

Originally Posted by baggy798

I'd have skipped on buying the car based on that 3rd picture. Did you get it cheap?

Cheapest around, but not cheap - 1.9k. Bought it from a garage. I should've paid more attention to the MOT advisories. I'm willing to spend some money though on welding if necessary, just hope that it will be worth it (and that I'll find a garage that will take it on).

[abtx]

Originally Posted by baggy798

I'd have skipped on buying the car based on that 3rd picture. Did you get it cheap?

This is the one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354849097...Bk9SR6LxreOgYg

I realise lots of them can be gotten quite cheap around 1k or even less. I've been checking gumtree for those cars sporadically over a year, maybe two, and the cheapest I found was 1.5k. There was another one, similar in FSH and ownership record to this one about 6 months ago for just under 3k. Having this one for 1.9 seemed pretty good.

Maybe I should've walked away. Maybe, between a pro welder and regular rust maintenance every summer or two, I did the right thing and will manage to keep the brick on the road. I got to stay positive and look for solutions to max out the chances of survival. A welder seems like a good start - see if I can restore it to the best shape possible.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by abtx

This is the one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354849097...Bk9SR6LxreOgYg

I realise lots of them can be gotten quite cheap around 1k or even less. I've been checking gumtree for those cars sporadically over a year, maybe two, and the cheapest I found was 1.5k. There was another one, similar in FSH and ownership record to this one about 6 months ago for just under 3k. Having this one for 1.9 seemed pretty good.

Maybe I should've walked away. Maybe, between a pro welder and regular rust maintenance every summer or two, I did the right thing and will manage to keep the brick on the road. I got to stay positive and look for solutions to max out the chances of survival. A welder seems like a good start - see if I can restore it to the best shape possible.

If you get it right bud and slosh oily, waxy stuff in, on and around she should be good for years .

Enjoy your ownership!👍😁