V high mileage 940

Titch1958 · Dec 9th, 2023, 01:04

Hello. I’ve had enough of my troublesome s60 and am considering a 1995 940 but it is not far off 300000 on the clock. The car is a one owner from new and there seems to be loads of history. They haven’t been able to find the timing belt receipt which is a bit of a worry but what do you all think? It’s only the S spec the sunroof sounds like it’s a bit leaky and the speedo cable has broken. Am I mad !!or should I put an offer in ? Are leaky sunroofs easy to fix? In 201& it failed on front suspension corrosion but it hasn’t failed since.

360beast · Dec 9th, 2023, 05:21

300k miles is nothing for a redblock, I'd rather a well maintained 300k mile redblock than one that's done 30k miles and not been maintained.

Timing belt is very easy to do especially as it won't have air con so one less belt to remove. What engine is it btw? If it's a non turbo don't expect to get anywhere quickly, I'd highly recommend a turbo even a low pressure one over a non turbo as the extra torque comes in very handy.

Sunroof drains have probably never been cleaned out and need a gentle clean out.

They don't have a speedometer cable so the seller is either telling porky's or is misinformed themselves. They use a sensor in the diff cover and it's all electrical, it's more likely badly corroded wiring to the diff sensor or dry solder joints on the back of the PCB.

If it failed then it had to have been sorted to pass so I wouldn't worry about it.

Check for rust in the front trays behind the battery and the washer bottle, rear and front jacking points, along the sills and in the doors along the top by the black velvet like seal and down towards the A/B pillar area of the door as they like to rust in these places.

You will want to fit a genuine Volvo oil filter as they have a non return valve to get oil pressure to a cold engine very quickly. Some people say the Mann filter has one in it too but until someone cuts one open and shows me I'll stick to my £10 Volvo ones as the extra £5 once a year isn't going to bankrupt me.

classicswede · Dec 9th, 2023, 23:23

It is only modest miles for one, high mile cars are a safer bet than low mile cars.

Cam belt is no big deal of a B230 but for the low cost of replacement you had best do it so you know where you are with it but worst case should the belt break you can just fit a new belt and be on your way again. B200 non turbo engines bend valves so you have to keep on top of teh belt with those.

Speedo is usually the plug onto the sensor on the axle. i do replacement plugs with cable for them. The sensor can also fail but not common. It can also be the clocks that are the issue

Sunroof drains can and do block. The seal of the sunroof frame to roof skin can also fail. The sunroof is not too bad to drop down and re seal

GingerMagic · Dec 10th, 2023, 11:23

I can't speak for the 940, but my 406 blocked the sunroof drains for fun.

Chucking a stiff wire down the tube probably won't work, likely to split a perished pipe further down, so not something I would suggest if you were thinking about it.

I've now taken to finding where the drains finish ( inner wheel arch on the 406 ) and cutting it back an inch to dispose of the silly one way valve that gets blocked with dirt/silt etc

Problem solved.

Forrest · Dec 10th, 2023, 15:13

Personally, if looking for a 940 for everyday use, I'd probably pay a bit more for one with a lower mileage and higher spec. However, as has already been said that mileage on its own is nothing really to worry about. More of a consideration is that servicing has been kept up to date and corrosion kept at bay.

Did poverty spec 940s come with a sunroof option? If it's a retrofit and it's leaking I would avoid.

If you are able to do some work on the car yourself then you should be able cheaply to head off the most likely causes of breakdowns. Regard the cooling system pretty much in its entirety as a service item. It is the smaller, less obvious hoses that are likely to spring a leak and leave you stranded.

Check for previous replacement of the fuel relay and crank position sensor. These are other common causes of breakdowns. They are easy and cheap to replace yourself or at least carry spares.

1995 was around the time Volvo changed to a single, in-tank fuel pump. If this is original it may be on its last legs. If the car still has the twin-pump set up noticeable noise from the main pump under the car is a good indication that the in-tank lift pump has failed. Actually, a fairly simple DIY fix but access issues are legendary.

The brakes need regular maintenance to stop them seizing up, particularly if the car doesn't get a lot of use.

The cambelt is very easy to replace yourself, as are the front oil seals which often leak. However, it does pay to get the correct Volvo special tools, especially the locking tool 9995284.

Good luck if you decide to go for it.

Rob1950 · Dec 10th, 2023, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titch1958

Hello. I’ve had enough of my troublesome s60 and am considering a 1995 940 but it is not far off 300000 on the clock. The car is a one owner from new and there seems to be loads of history. They haven’t been able to find the timing belt receipt which is a bit of a worry but what do you all think? It’s only the S spec the sunroof sounds like it’s a bit leaky and the speedo cable has broken. Am I mad !!or should I put an offer in ? Are leaky sunroofs easy to fix? In 201& it failed on front suspension corrosion but it hasn’t failed since.

I wouldn't worry about the timing belt, I've just bought one for my recently acquired 945 S. Cost £33. I'll get the garage to fit it Thursday when it goes in for a full service and a full look over. Can't do it myself - combination of too old, small garage which just fits the car in and enough of a pension to be able to pay someone else.

Mine doesn't have a sunroof but it does have electric front windows & a cassette player! Mileage 106k and FSH.

griston64 · Dec 10th, 2023, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob1950

I wouldn't worry about the timing belt, I've just bought one for my recently acquired 945 S. Cost £33. I'll get the garage to fit it Thursday when it goes in for a full service and a full look over. Can't do it myself - combination of too old, small garage which just fits the car in and enough of a pension to be able to pay someone else.

Mine doesn't have a sunroof but it does have electric front windows & a cassette player! Mileage 106k and FSH.

Make sure and get them to change all the front oil seals when doing the belt.

tofufi · Dec 11th, 2023, 06:52

My brother has a 1993 940 2.3 automatic, which is on well over 300k miles.

It's still a nice thing to drive, although does feel less 'tight' than my 165,000 mile diesel.

My brother's car has one previous owner from new and was well maintained.

Mileage alone shouldn't put you off buying it...

Dec 9th, 2023, 01:04	#1
Titch1958 New Member Last Online: May 26th, 2024 17:51 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Ipswich	V high mileage 940 Hello. I’ve had enough of my troublesome s60 and am considering a 1995 940 but it is not far off 300000 on the clock. The car is a one owner from new and there seems to be loads of history. They haven’t been able to find the timing belt receipt which is a bit of a worry but what do you all think? It’s only the S spec the sunroof sounds like it’s a bit leaky and the speedo cable has broken. Am I mad !!or should I put an offer in ? Are leaky sunroofs easy to fix? In 201& it failed on front suspension corrosion but it hasn’t failed since.

Dec 9th, 2023, 23:23	#3
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 21:49 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	It is only modest miles for one, high mile cars are a safer bet than low mile cars. Cam belt is no big deal of a B230 but for the low cost of replacement you had best do it so you know where you are with it but worst case should the belt break you can just fit a new belt and be on your way again. B200 non turbo engines bend valves so you have to keep on top of teh belt with those. Speedo is usually the plug onto the sensor on the axle. i do replacement plugs with cable for them. The sensor can also fail but not common. It can also be the clocks that are the issue Sunroof drains can and do block. The seal of the sunroof frame to roof skin can also fail. The sunroof is not too bad to drop down and re seal __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 10th, 2023, 11:23	#4
GingerMagic Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 18:24 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Bournemouth	I can't speak for the 940, but my 406 blocked the sunroof drains for fun. Chucking a stiff wire down the tube probably won't work, likely to split a perished pipe further down, so not something I would suggest if you were thinking about it. I've now taken to finding where the drains finish ( inner wheel arch on the 406 ) and cutting it back an inch to dispose of the silly one way valve that gets blocked with dirt/silt etc Problem solved. __________________ Current fleet; 1998 Volvo 940 2.3 LPT (mine) 2003 Peugeot 406 2.2Hdi ( also mine ) 2019 Citroen C3 ( wife's )

Dec 9th, 2023, 05:21	#2
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Yesterday 21:57 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	300k miles is nothing for a redblock, I'd rather a well maintained 300k mile redblock than one that's done 30k miles and not been maintained. Timing belt is very easy to do especially as it won't have air con so one less belt to remove. What engine is it btw? If it's a non turbo don't expect to get anywhere quickly, I'd highly recommend a turbo even a low pressure one over a non turbo as the extra torque comes in very handy. Sunroof drains have probably never been cleaned out and need a gentle clean out. They don't have a speedometer cable so the seller is either telling porky's or is misinformed themselves. They use a sensor in the diff cover and it's all electrical, it's more likely badly corroded wiring to the diff sensor or dry solder joints on the back of the PCB. If it failed then it had to have been sorted to pass so I wouldn't worry about it. Check for rust in the front trays behind the battery and the washer bottle, rear and front jacking points, along the sills and in the doors along the top by the black velvet like seal and down towards the A/B pillar area of the door as they like to rust in these places. You will want to fit a genuine Volvo oil filter as they have a non return valve to get oil pressure to a cold engine very quickly. Some people say the Mann filter has one in it too but until someone cuts one open and shows me I'll stick to my £10 Volvo ones as the extra £5 once a year isn't going to bankrupt me.

Dec 10th, 2023, 15:13	#5
Forrest VOC Member Last Online: Today 11:52 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester	Personally, if looking for a 940 for everyday use, I'd probably pay a bit more for one with a lower mileage and higher spec. However, as has already been said that mileage on its own is nothing really to worry about. More of a consideration is that servicing has been kept up to date and corrosion kept at bay. Did poverty spec 940s come with a sunroof option? If it's a retrofit and it's leaking I would avoid. If you are able to do some work on the car yourself then you should be able cheaply to head off the most likely causes of breakdowns. Regard the cooling system pretty much in its entirety as a service item. It is the smaller, less obvious hoses that are likely to spring a leak and leave you stranded. Check for previous replacement of the fuel relay and crank position sensor. These are other common causes of breakdowns. They are easy and cheap to replace yourself or at least carry spares. 1995 was around the time Volvo changed to a single, in-tank fuel pump. If this is original it may be on its last legs. If the car still has the twin-pump set up noticeable noise from the main pump under the car is a good indication that the in-tank lift pump has failed. Actually, a fairly simple DIY fix but access issues are legendary. The brakes need regular maintenance to stop them seizing up, particularly if the car doesn't get a lot of use. The cambelt is very easy to replace yourself, as are the front oil seals which often leak. However, it does pay to get the correct Volvo special tools, especially the locking tool 9995284. Good luck if you decide to go for it.

Dec 11th, 2023, 06:52	#8
tofufi Premier Member Last Online: Today 12:45 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bristol	My brother has a 1993 940 2.3 automatic, which is on well over 300k miles. It's still a nice thing to drive, although does feel less 'tight' than my 165,000 mile diesel. My brother's car has one previous owner from new and was well maintained. Mileage alone shouldn't put you off buying it...

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