[guypwnz]

So it officially happened - I joined the club.

A little background of the car (sorry for some spelling and technical mistakes).

Turquoise 1997 Volvo 850R, 2.3L, brought in 1998 to Ukraine as a one-off special order. Was a gift to a then 19 yo student from his father who was a bit of a petrolhead high ranking officer in local police dept.

As almost any car that time it was heavily modified with additional music and exterior tuning. Thus little wings, carbon wrapped spoiler and other bits.

List of changes so far:
1. Added wings on skirts, spoiler on rear screen
2. Removed stock audio + radio, replaced with new speakers with podiums (will add photo later on), added subwoofer and amplifiers in the trunk
3. Seats refurbished
4. Added second exhaust pipe (see photo of this innovative upgrade)

Overall all electrics, air condition system, lights are working.

My plan is to go as much stock as possible with replacing anything that is broke with new / original / quality analog parts. And drive this car till I am 80 yo.

First diagnostics:

• steering rack needs repair;
• replace all dampers, brakes and discs. Almost entire front suspension should be repaired / replaced;
• engine and gearbox pillows are dead, right now both are just basically lying on the chassis;

What I already have done:

• Replaced battery (dead in two days after I bought a car);
• Changed dead tires (225 / 45 / R17) back to it's stock option (205 / 45 / R17 Pirellis);

Main (huge!) issues so far:

• Blue smoke, lots of it! Clearly oil in the engine, obvious lack of power. Specific chemical smell;
• Engine guard is really really greasy so potential oil leak;
• Exhaust gases get inside when condition is ON so clearly exhaust issues as well.

Next steps:

• Engine check, gearbox check. Repair what is found; Ignition kit from IPD, new filters, sparks and wiring is on the way;
• Suspension and steering repair;
• Restore exterior back to it's original condition;

(exhaust 'upgrade')

(new tires with original size)

I am planning to post all updates on Instagram so hit me up on @ukrainianbrick850R if you want to follow my pain and struggle my progress. Will appreciate any support and knowledge!

Cheers!

 

[guypwnz]

So first relevant question would be - which dampers are to fit to get a proper driving experience?

 

[WagonBoiz]

Congrats on the car, truly gorgeous and minty. My best wishes to you and your people in these wretched times. Sláva Ukrayíni!

 

[Tonyfr]

Main (huge!) issues so far:

• Blue smoke, lots of it! Clearly oil in the engine, obvious lack of power. Specific chemical smell;

Blue smoke and loss of power sounds like a bad turbo.

 

[mattj456]

My plan is to go as much stock as possible with replacing anything that is broke with new / original / quality analog parts. And drive this car till I am 80 yo.

Nice plan and lovely color!

So first relevant question would be - which dampers are to fit to get a proper driving experience?

Bilstein Touring has been great for me and a few others on here.

 

[guypwnz]

Congrats on the car, truly gorgeous and minty. My best wishes to you and your people in these wretched times. Sláva Ukrayíni!

Thanks, really appreciate! Glad to be here among Volvo enthusiasts. I hope I will manage to bring back my car to mint restored condition.

Bilstein Touring has been great for me and a few others on here.

Thank you. Just to be clear - there is no point getting back Nivomats, right?

To clarify:
Front: Touring Class Front Strut - P80 850 C70 S70 V70 for Volvo - Bilstein B4 - 22230959 - 8600901 - 106237
Rear: Touring Class Rear Shock for Volvo - Bilstein B4 - 19029450 - 9173851 - 106238

Correct? Bilstein B6 too much for a start?

 

[Tonyfr]

If you take out the Nivomats, you have to replace the rear springs because the current ones are too soft and it will drop in the rear.

 

[guypwnz]

If you take out the Nivomats, you have to replace the rear springs because the current ones are too soft and it will drop in the rear.

What springs are a good fit? (sorry if it is a silly question).

 

[Tonyfr]

I used Lesjöfors springs for my 850R wagon to keep it stock. There is a difference in the spring rate for wagons and sedans. These may work for your sedan but you can also use H&R if you can find them. This what my car looked like when I just replaced the shocks in the rear versus adding the Lesjöfors springs in the rear.

 

[guypwnz]

I used Lesjöfors springs for my 850R wagon to keep it stock. There is a difference in the spring rate for wagons and sedans. These may work for your sedan but you can also use H&R if you can find them.

Not sure I want a lowering springs. Right now clearance is already rather low and going even further is a bit too much.

 

[guypwnz]

So..

Engine and engine bay first inspection updates. As mentioned earlier symptoms are: lack of power, blue smoke, smell, white smoke from A/C.

Sorry if not I am not technically correct as I am no mechanic (well not yet at least).

Findings:
1. Compression is really great and even across all 5 pots (~121k miles on odo). At least engine is in a really good shape it seems.
2. Absolutely (!) clean sparks although not OEM
3. Wastegate turbo valve is dead and exhaust gases were bypassing turbo altogether. Thus no boost and lack of power on any RPM.
4. Radiator is leaking and mostly dead. Coolant was leaking > white smoke in the cabin.
5. At the moment looks like turbo is leaking oil. When car is cold there is no smoke / smell. After some time and running lots of blue smoke start to blow from exhaust pipes.

Next steps - turbo dismantle and new radiator install. If power is still not there - piston head removal and further inspection of the engine (which looks unlikely at the moment).

Meanwhile:
1. Ignition Tune Up Kit from IPD on the way;
2. Already received Bilsten B4 both fronts and rears. Did not install yet as still waiting for H&S sport springs;
3. RIP kit on the way;

Will add more photos soon.

 

[guypwnz]

Alright. Turbo adventure continues:

1. Turbine wheel was touching turbine housing. Will be replaced.

2. Wastegate valve was moving a lot making it impossible to gain proper pressure. Will be repaired / replaced.

Inspection video

Overall Turbine body is without cracks and can be restored so no need to replace a whole unit. Which is kind of a good news.

Stay tuned!

 

[guypwnz]

And here is a confirmation of M59 manual gearbox with LSD in place

 

[mattj456]

4. Radiator is leaking and mostly dead. Coolant was leaking > white smoke in the cabin.

If you are smelling coolant in the cabin your heater core is likely on its way out. It is not a very difficult job and will save you a lot of headache if it decides to fail completely. When you replace the heater core you have about a 50% chance of breaking the plastic coupler where the hoses go through the firewall, so it is usually recommended to replace that at the same time especially if original.

 

[Tonyfr]

When you replace the heater core you have about a 50% chance of breaking the plastic coupler where the hoses go through the firewall, so it is usually recommended to replace that at the same time especially if original.

I did a heater core replacement on mine along with the heater hoses. Hadn't planned on replacing the coupler, but it broke while removing the heater hoses.

 

[mattj456]

I did a heater core replacement on mine along with the heater hoses. Hadn't planned on replacing the coupler, but it broke while removing the heater hoses.

I was in the same boat, me and my broken car waiting for a $50 piece of plastic to come in the mail. Buy it before you need it.

 

[Tonyfr]

Yeah, I bought the complete coupler with pipes. Figured I do it with all new parts.

 

[guypwnz]

Slowly changing worn out parts (engine support, old / new)

 

[guypwnz]

Also in need to change front brakes. As I understand the best is to upgrade to 302mm from S70. Can you guys please confirm this is a correct setup:
Discs: Volvo Disc Brake Rotor - Zimmermann 31262095
Brackets: Volvo Disc Brake Caliper Bracket - Skandix 8251319

 

[ScottishBrick]

Also in need to change front brakes. As I understand the best is to upgrade to 302mm from S70. Can you guys please confirm this is a correct setup:
Discs: Volvo Disc Brake Rotor - Zimmermann 31262095
Brackets: Volvo Disc Brake Caliper Bracket - Skandix 8251319

Correct!

Should also change the front brake lines to 9191400, the 302 kit hd a slightly longer brake line. It’ll be fine just try not to go full lock