HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

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AdamG
480 Newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:43 pm

HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by AdamG » Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm

I recently passed my driving test (first try with zero faults, hehe) and started to drive my first car. Nilani, as I’m sure some of you are very familiar with, is my ‘95 Celebration #467. Although I absolutely adore the car, I am becoming increasingly disheartened by the state of the car. I have accrued a hefty list of some definite (and some assumption based) issues that need to be resolved on the car. To my current knowledge, this list is as follows;

- Seatbelt arm (o/s)
- n/s & o/s front wings (following a recent hit-and-run the o/s received some significant damage restricting the door from opening)
- glove box needs to be repaired as it hangs off
- heated seats lol
- intermediate Speedo AND Rev counter issues
- rear arches are rotting more and more each day
(Which worries me greatly about the condition underneath rear bumper)
- there’s a leak not related to the scuttle (as previously thought) and it plagues both front footwells
- some (if not all lol) seals need to be replaced
- if I’m really honest the paint is looking okay on a lot of the car, but both the bumpers, the side trims and the n/s wing would need to be replaced (preferably with original flame red parts

So, here’s my dilemma. I’m worried that, if I wait any longer, the car and its impending-rusty-demise will become so far gone that it’s not economical to rescue. Now, it goes without saying that even considering such a thing breaks my heart, but am I wrong for thinking this way?

My question is, what are some experiences you guys have faced? Are there any suggestions from some more experienced “480’ers”? And more or less, is my question rational, or downright rambling?

I look forward to your replies

Much love and a happy new year

Adam G :)

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WillC9303
Knows an Aerodeck isn't a 480
Posts: 297
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:46 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by WillC9303 » Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:06 pm

Hi Adam,

I have to say I was in exactly the same boat as you around this time 1 year ago. I even made a post similar to yours too! I bought my 1993 Limited Edition as my first car at 18 (I still may be the youngest 480 owner currently in the UK?????) and very quickly realised that it needed a LOT of work doing, including many of the things you have listed. I'll break the list down:
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
- Seatbelt arm (o/s)
Fairly common part to fail (I assume yours has snapped in some place) and not too expensive to fix or difficult to come by. I bought a replacement arm for £15 off eBay about 6 months ago. That being said, they get in the way a lot and are NOT that necessary.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
n/s & o/s front wings
Again, had this problem with my N/S front wing. Unfortunately even in 2023, 480s are still being broken for spares instead of being saved, so there are plenty of good wings out there (just maybe not in the colour of your car)
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
glove box needs to be repaired as it hangs off
Yup, been there done that. Probably easier to buy a replacement glovebox, but what I did was create my own brackets out of scrap metal, drilled a screw hole into them and glued them onto the broken edge. Sounds janky, but it was one of the first fixes I did and it still holds!
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
heated seats lol
Again, same here. most common part to fail is the small thermostat buried in the seat. I believe Skandix still sells them for 30 a pop, but Jeff came up with a much better solution of just buying heating pads off eBay and wiring them up. However, even when working perfectly, I have heard comparisons between the heated seats and a hamster breathing on your backside - so it's up to you whether you think it's worth it. (I gave up on mine)
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
intermediate Speedo AND Rev counter issues
Thankfully for me, I have never had that issue with mine. I believe it is a cheap fix. There are plenty of threads (and expertise) on the forum in dealing with this. There is also a bloke in the Netherlands (Robert Brink I think?) who specialises in that sort of thing.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
rear arches are rotting more and more each day
If you have the money for welding, just get it done. If not, then sand back, coat in Hammerite (or thick black enamel paint as I temporarily did) and then wax. Should last a while until you can find a better solution. Also, make sure you keep the wheel arches clean as dirt traps moisture.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
there’s a leak not related to the scuttle (as previously thought) and it plagues both front footwells
If not the scuttle, then check the door seals. I would've suggested a leaky moonroof, but I don't think the Celebrations had those.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
some (if not all lol) seals need to be replaced
You may have just answered your own question (above) :wink:

Just go through the list one by one. Some of the things you've put are really minor (i.e. heated seats and seatbelt arms). Those come when everything else is sorted. The rust I would definitely focus on first, especially seeing as we are in winter, followed by the speedo and seals.
All of these are REALLY common 480 problems and the vast majority I have experienced myself, even though I haven't been an owner for that long!

Happy New year & congrats on the driving test pass :D

William
William

1993 2.0i Limited Edition

AdamG
480 Newbie
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:43 pm

Re: HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by AdamG » Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:15 pm

WillC9303 wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:06 pm
Hi Adam,

I have to say I was in exactly the same boat as you around this time 1 year ago. I even made a post similar to yours too! I bought my 1993 Limited Edition as my first car at 18 (I still may be the youngest 480 owner currently in the UK?????) and very quickly realised that it needed a LOT of work doing, including many of the things you have listed. I'll break the list down:
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
- Seatbelt arm (o/s)
Fairly common part to fail (I assume yours has snapped in some place) and not too expensive to fix or difficult to come by. I bought a replacement arm for £15 off eBay about 6 months ago. That being said, they get in the way a lot and are NOT that necessary.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
n/s & o/s front wings
Again, had this problem with my N/S front wing. Unfortunately even in 2023, 480s are still being broken for spares instead of being saved, so there are plenty of good wings out there (just maybe not in the colour of your car)
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
glove box needs to be repaired as it hangs off
Yup, been there done that. Probably easier to buy a replacement glovebox, but what I did was create my own brackets out of scrap metal, drilled a screw hole into them and glued them onto the broken edge. Sounds janky, but it was one of the first fixes I did and it still holds!
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
heated seats lol
Again, same here. most common part to fail is the small thermostat buried in the seat. I believe Skandix still sells them for 30 a pop, but Jeff came up with a much better solution of just buying heating pads off eBay and wiring them up. However, even when working perfectly, I have heard comparisons between the heated seats and a hamster breathing on your backside - so it's up to you whether you think it's worth it. (I gave up on mine)
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
intermediate Speedo AND Rev counter issues
Thankfully for me, I have never had that issue with mine. I believe it is a cheap fix. There are plenty of threads (and expertise) on the forum in dealing with this. There is also a bloke in the Netherlands (Robert Brink I think?) who specialises in that sort of thing.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
rear arches are rotting more and more each day
If you have the money for welding, just get it done. If not, then sand back, coat in Hammerite (or thick black enamel paint as I temporarily did) and then wax. Should last a while until you can find a better solution. Also, make sure you keep the wheel arches clean as dirt traps moisture.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
there’s a leak not related to the scuttle (as previously thought) and it plagues both front footwells
If not the scuttle, then check the door seals. I would've suggested a leaky moonroof, but I don't think the Celebrations had those.
AdamG wrote:
Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:19 pm
some (if not all lol) seals need to be replaced
You may have just answered your own question (above) :wink:

Just go through the list one by one. Some of the things you've put are really minor (i.e. heated seats and seatbelt arms). Those come when everything else is sorted. The rust I would definitely focus on first, especially seeing as we are in winter, followed by the speedo and seals.
All of these are REALLY common 480 problems and the vast majority I have experienced myself, even though I haven't been an owner for that long!

Happy New year & congrats on the driving test pass :D

William
Thank you, William!

I think the damaged front wing partnered with the poor state of the rear arches is just throwing me off. I don’t currently have the money to have the rust repair work done proper, but am tempted to perform some temporary fixes. I think the repaint is the part I’m worried about (I’m not sure if I’ll have to have the entire car redone due to colour complexity).

I really appreciate your message,

Adam :)

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by dcwalker » Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:33 pm

Congratulations on passing your test, Adam, and do not despair of NIlani - as Will has said all the items you list are common issues that make owning a 480 such a barrel of laughs... ;)

I've messaged you; let's see what can be done...

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by MisterH » Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:35 am

Hi Adam, congratulations on your test! I passed my test just over two years ago (in the 480 no less) and can understand your wish to just have it working.

For the speedo have you done the classic plug cut out yet? There is a connector in the engine bay for the speedo, this is usually pretty rubbish and doesn't need to be there, so just cut it out and solder the wires directly together. If this has already been done, check the connectors on the back of the dash, give them a good clean with WD40 and apply some silicone grease. If this makes no difference then it is probably something more complicated but nothing about these cars is really unfixable.

How badly have the rear arches got to? It might be worth sticking some Bilt-Hamber on them just to stop them getting worse while you can get the cash or skills together for a proper job

Hope this helps you to be more positive :D
Ben
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: HELP!! My optimism is rapidly depleting!

Post by jifflemon » Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:20 pm

Prioritise, that's the essential bit.

A missing belt clip is annoying, but it's NOT going to stop the car, or make the car any worse.

My focus would be on:

1. Leaks. Absolutely need to stop them, as they will make things worse in the long run.
2. Bodywork - But functionally so. I think everyone on here has had a respray or is planning for one in the future......
3. Speedo/Infocentre. Critical because if infocentre isn't working, you'll not know if you're running out of fuel or overheating.....

Or read this

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