Rust advice needed

[abtx]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

is it in the bottom of the rev counter? If so, it's the boost gauge (if you have the HPT or someone has changed the cluster) or it will be, as previously mentioned, the water temp gauge.
If it's that, the cluster probably needs repair and other gauges will follow in time if it's a PCB problem on the back of the cluster or if it's the gauge itself, likely to die completely although one PCB fault can also cause that.

Try setting the heater to hottest, directing air to the vents and fan on full with the outer drivers side air vent open - if that makes the gauge behave after running for a few minutes, likelihood is a dry joint on the cluster PCB. Open your window and aim the vent out the window or you'll cook in this weather!

Will do, thanks! Will post a picture of the gauge later on today.

[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!👍😁

[abtx]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

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

Enjoy your ownership!👍😁

Hah, I love hearing for you bruh. It's been welded before, so maybe it just needs a good clean up and brush. Will dive under her this weekend and assess. Cheers!

[baggy798]

Looks like the previous owner fixed just the rust needed to get it through the MOT then got rid of it, rather than fixing the OS sill and other bits at the same time. What else have they skimped on? Has the oil ever been changed?
😳

[abtx]

Originally Posted by baggy798

Looks like the previous owner fixed just the rust needed to get it through the MOT then got rid of it, rather than fixing the OS sill and other bits at the same time. What else have they skimped on? Has the oil ever been changed?
😳

It has full service history, so yes. Dude had it 21 years but evidently started loosing interest towards the end.

I've got a quote of 1600-2100 for welding. Has a coolant leak and will at some point need a new radiator. Other than that there are the small issues as described earlier. I wonder should I invest in the welding.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by abtx

It has full service history, so yes. Dude had it 21 years but evidently started loosing interest towards the end.

I've got a quote of 1600-2100 for welding. Has a coolant leak and will at some point need a new radiator. Other than that there are the small issues as described earlier. I wonder should I invest in the welding.

Break it for parts and spend the 1600-2100 on a much better 940!

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by 360beast

Break it for parts and spend the 1600-2100 on a much better 940!

Agreed, even at £400 pounds a day, that’s a hell of a lot of welding.

Break it and re-buy. Plenty about.👍

[360beast]

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...88#post2907288

[volvo always]

Sadly if the tin worm is extensive then even if getting it welded you will probably re-welding again in a few years in other areas as well as welded areas. Had a 1989 240 outriggers welded and 2 years later rusted out on the weld seam!

Mechanically everything is fixable, bodily less so.

I would look for a late 98 940 with a good body. All will have some rust but hopefully treated and looked after.

If you have a drive, buy yourself a welder and get practising. Wishing you well. They are a good car.

James