Purchasing '85 Volvo 740 GLE 2.4TD

[Nevadan]

I will receive my '85 740 2.4TD in February and just want to get educated on the site prior to its arrival.

I'm VERY familiar with the 1.6TD in my '85 Jetta. I love that era's IDI engine and despite some criticism in other forums I feel if they are properly maintained (oil change, injector nozzle replacement every 100,000, valve adj., injection pump leak fixing, etc.) they would go 1,000,000 miles.

My 740 has 203,000 miles on it, drives very good right now, appears to have had the head rebuilt recently, no leaks on the injection pump and overall looks very clean.

I will post photos in February once I receive the vehicle. Until then I'll keep studying this site. I'm glad it exists!

One question to get started, what is the exact name of the service manual for this vehicle? It's referred to as the "green book" in the site, but what's it exactly, and where do I get one (or them)?

J.D.

[ngoma]

The Volvo official factory service manuals are commonly referred to as the "Green Books."

There are several "Green Books," a series, but the one that pertains to the engine is titled:

Volvo
Service Manual
Fault tracing
Repairs
Maintenance

Section 2
D24 Turbo-diesel
700-series 1982-19..

TP 30571/1
6000.11.84


The Haynes manual for Volvo 7xx series is pretty good, but lacks diesel sections.

The Chilton includes diesel sections.


You might try Ebay.

Here is a store I like, dedicated to automotive books; they have shelves of green books:
http://www.books4cars.com/index.php

The D24T is very similar to the VW 1.6, with a few extra cylinders tacked on the end. IP rotates backward, has a different cold start mechanism, vacuum pump is different, Timing belt setup different, cooling system a little different. Most of your skills and tools will transfer over easily.

[Nevadan]

Excellent information! Thank you.

One of the reasons I am purchasing the 740 D24T is because of the similarities. It's easier to diagnose and repair the things you're familiar with. And....it's definitely a unique vehicle!

[Nevadan]

I have my 740/745! This is the one that was on Craig's List in Carson City at the "Experience Cars" lot. I know there was some interest in it because the owner said he had back-up offers.

The vehicle is in amazing condition. It drives smooth and solid, the overdrive works correctly, it looks like the head has had recent work, the injection pump looks very good and may have been rebuilt in the recent past, the coolant hoses look near new, etc. etc. etc. There was a receipt in the the glovebox for a $900 brake job in January 2011 done by a Volvo dealership in San Francisco. All in all a very well taken care of car.

There's a few dents in the body and the sunroof is from a different car and the wrong color but those are minor concerns for me.

Some things needing immediate attention: the cold start thermostat doesn't work, blinker switch is broken off, new front seats (I've already got a very good set from a Pick-n-Pull vehicle), a/c compressor needs a belt and maybe more, small vacuum hose leak at the firewall, heater controls don't work and I'll do a thorough inspection of all components and systems with fluid changes, etc.

[Vomaz]

Nice looking car.. What gearbox are used? M46 od or m47?

[Nevadan]

Thanks, it is a good looking car.

It's got the 4 speed with the overdrive and it works well. I haven't figured out how to properly downshift from 5th to 4th without putting it in 3rd but I've only driven it about 40 miles on the freeway. I'll experiment more this weekend.