Volvo 850 Tdi CD Auto

[diplomat2.6]

Hi all

I've had to go through the trauma of selling my faithful 850 TDi CD Auto. It was listed on Ebay a month ago, and it sold. Unfortunately, much time was lost as the buyer didn't go through with the purchase. I now need both the space and the funds, as I have purchased a replacement vehicle. Please let me know if you would like to take it on before it goes on Ebay as an auction. I would think that the bid of £800 I received last time I listed it (May 24) was reasonable. The second bidder was £780. The car is in Rushden, Northants. It has lots of decent parts and rust issues fixed. Lots of engines and cylinder heads about on ebay.

I made a video a while ago, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6I_wXdAvbI about its extensive work. Sadly, the cambelt has lost its tension and the engine sounds terrible on cranking. It doesn't run

A file of pictures over the years can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...9H?usp=sharing

The ebay listing read as follows:

his is my Volvo 850 Tdi CD Auto. I've had it 17 years or more. I don't really want to get rid of it, as it has been a faithful servant.

Despite caring for this car over the years, unfortunately is has reached the point where I have to question whether I have the time, inclination or skill to sort this. I believe it will need either a new engine, or a new cylinder head because the belt has slipped as a result of losing tension. I'm not really clear why that is. Perhaps it is the crank pulley having come loose? The cambelt was changed around 40k miles ago, and the cam still turns. Not a failed belt. However, there are rather alarming noises coming from the bowels of the engine. There are a number of replacement engines and heads available on Ebay at the moment.

This vehicle is relisted because the original purchaser has yet to arrange collection in the month since it sold, and communication with them does not assure we that completion of the transaction is a likely prospect. Please be mindful of a the transportation costs of a non-running vehicle. Try Shiply - and you might be surprised. The car does roll easily,

The good parts
New recent suspension (Bilstein B4 all round, Eibach lowering springs)
Recent wheel refurb, and still no corrosion or scrapes.
16 inch wheels which were an optional extra
Bumpers painted recently and no scuffs or scrapes on the paint.
New rear delta arm bushes, mount brackets
Recent arm for MOT, and new Brembo discs and pads on the front
Recent new windscreen
Regular 5000 mile oil changes
All rear welding done: see YouTube video entitled "Volvo 850 Tdi Restoration (Like T5R, only noisier, slower and uses half as much as much fuel).
Autobox fluid changed every year
Never towed anything big, but it does have a towbar for a box camping trailer
Front wings in excellent condition, and cavity waxed several times in my ownership
Roof rails
Leather interior, although it has cracked in places. I still have coloured matched restoration kit.
Excellent economy when it worked
One of only a handful of Tdi CD Autos.
Lots of bills from new.
I've got a spare Volvo oil filter

The Bad Parts
Unfortunately, the cam belt appears to have lost its tension on the way home from work. The belt was around half way through its life. I suspect it is the crank pulley bolt having come undone. The last cam belt was done by IVS in Letchworth around 2019.
There was no issue prior to the failure, apart from an oil leak. A good forum member suggested that there is a fix involving a diamond washer.
Last cam belt change it had a new harmonic balancer,
As you will see, the belt is soaked in oil (video available - oil leak from somewhere)
Plenty of new cylinder heads on eBay, and it doesn't look too bad of a job. The timing needs specialist software
The fan motor has stopped working, as has the AC. The glove box is removed and the dash has curved
Headling failed and glued back. Awaiting a new headliner
Dynamat soundproofing fitted under carpet and boot
Leather cracked
It's done quite a few miles - the odometer stopped worked for several years, but now fixed
Some advisories on the MOT
Some minor bubbling on tailgate.

I rather hope that someone will save it. I think it is a viable repair and could be an excellent daily runner with a suitable investment in time.

[barkster1971]

There's one engine in Spain for 750 odd quid. Couldn't see any cylinder heads.
You'd really really have to want an 850 diesel to fix yours. Doing the maths doesn't make any sense.
GLWS