got wind of a supposedly mint 240 thats been put in a garage and sat for a while. assuming its been started every once in a while but what should i check for when looking the car over?
I refuse to engauge in a battle of wits with an un-armed opponent.
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The first thing i would do is assume that it hasn't been started for some time, a good check of this is to switch lights on an press horn, if both work, and lights bright, battery is in fair order and you may then assume its been started recently. if battery flat as pancake, well, it could have been that way for years, so you should be extra vigilante with your checks.
billy
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and if it has indeed sat for a while then what do i check? i know brakes can seize and tyres can go bad but what else? for the supposed condition of it and the price its going for even if some work was needed it might still be worthy of buying. especially if its of the earlier variety with round headlamps.
I refuse to engauge in a battle of wits with an un-armed opponent.
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I aquired a vauxhall that had sat in a garage for 13 years without being started up! All it needed was fuel lines, a tank removed & washed out,new cambelt & waterpump & wiper blades,battery & 4 new tyres due to total flat spots & drives like a dream & hasn't yet done 25000k! It was a year old when the owner fell ill & it hadn't moved untill I dragged it out covered in inches of dust!. Even the lables from the factory are still on the suspension arms & exhaust
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Obviously, (if you suspect it?s been stood un-run for a long time) the first things to check are the ?perishables? e.g rubber/compound things like radiator hoses. Steering rack gaitors, front strut rubbers, flexible brake hoses etc, then that the electric cables are sound, (mice have been known to nibble/make nests in parts of cars). Drain fuel system, re-fill with new fuel, check for leaks. Connect a fully charged battery, and turn on ignition, check for any unusual puffs of smoke appearing, if all seems well, (after checking fluid levels) remove plugs (if petrol!) put a tea-spoonful of engine oil in each bore, and give it a trial spin. If all seems free, try putting plugs back and firing it up. Let it reach full temp, all the while checking for unusual sounds/knocking, smoke/flames etc. if you are happy that its worth doing up, transport home, and get out the fine-toothed comb and replace/renew anything that looks like it needs it.
This is just a very basic list of the sequence that I would use in similar circumstances, if you can ensure the basic safety items are ok, an mot might highlight any other jobs that need to be done to get it safely back on the road.
HTH
Billy
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thanks for the replies. im going to look at it soon as i get the chance. im hoping it has been run the odd time tho as i am a bit on the lazy side lol
suppose if she is of the early variety with round headlamps i wont have a choice unless its a total heab because i love the old shape 240's and you never see them where i am. the owner runs a small restaurant and the story goes.. the mot ran out and he just parked it up. hopefully not forgetting to turn it over every few weeks.
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I refuse to engauge in a battle of wits with an un-armed
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Do not assume that the bodywork is indestructable! Rot happens underneath the rubber underseal, and cannot be easily detected by a visual. Use a good sharp instrument
Look very carefully for rot in the sills/ A pillars. Mine old one had a serious transverse rot where the box section that supports the seats met the floor pan. I had to cut out a lot amount of metal and fabricate some sections. All because the water got underneath the plastic membrain (under the rear carpet) and rotted from the inside out.
Front suspension spring cups are also known to rot out.
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pmh (was peter)
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One word - cambelt! AFAIK all Volvos of that era were belt-driven cams, and I'd whack a new belt on before even turning the engine over. If the car's been sat for 6 years the belt will have perished severely.
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leave it there and just order the pizza
old volvo......pah........... ;-)
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