Laurie - '94 480 GT - Racing Green Metallic

[jifflemon]

Service parts are easy to find. VERY easy to find. Had a quick look through the website, and most of the items returned with a 480 search were either not 480 items, or were listed as "Expired! Will not come again!"

I really need to try and do an update to this post, because it looks like polar parts (who were used for he majority of stuff in the thread, have given up on us

[Laurie945]

It's sad, and extremely frustrating, all at the same time. I tried to get the two push clips off the plastic cover on the rear screen today to get the light seal back into shape, but fear of damaging anything, and the scarcity of parts, I stopped.

Can Opie be trusted for parts? I've got a belt squeak on start up, which must either be the alternator belt, or the AC, and Opie list a few ...

[Laurie945]

Plus, being a total newbie, is this the right oil to be doing an oil change with?

*Castrol Magnatec 10W40*

[dcwalker]

Great to see another green GT on here; interior looks in good shape as well

You're fast discovering the parts situation, and yes, some Volvo main dealers are more helpful than others. I am lucky with mine although I have put a lot of business their way over many years and they still get to annually service my 440, so I guess they believe I'm worth the hassle!

My best suggestion for parts is to ask on here first of you're after something specific. Many of us have considerable hoards and will be happy to try to help where we can.

And yes, that oil is fine...

Keep us posted!

David

[jifflemon]

DriveBelts: You have two; A main drive belt and an second one for driving the alternator.

6PK1555 for the main drive belt, 3PK595 for the alternator one.

[Jay-Kay-Em]

Can Opie be trusted for parts?

Nowt wrong with Opie. Long term customer here.

[Laurie945]

Thank you all!

The parts situation is hilarious, and I wish there was an extensive database available to search through. When I asked at the dealership if they could print out a list, they thought I was insane! Little did I realise the extent of their database, and the scarcity of paper

Thanks for clearing up the oil, and the belts! I shall get those on order. I assumed the smaller belt was for the AC, but I was guessing.

The to-do list consists of an engine and gearbox oil change, new filters, plugs, (yet to source), (must source gearbox drain and filler plugs plus washers), belts, maybe timing if I'm feeling up to it, then replace the front discs and pads.

My game is bicycles, and I know the industry well. But I don't trust half the shops and people out there. This forum is excellent! And I'm beginning to learn that all you guys and girls are the whiz! My local Volvo specialist is pricey, as I remember an £800+ for a windscreen on the last one I had. Thankfully my insurance had windscreen protection!

[Laurie945]

Deliberation yesterday. The weather was glorious. After cleaning the GT, I found a few splits in the plastic; one being on the front grill (my old one had split in a few places), and the rear wiper bolt cover. Hopefully a bit of CA or epoxy should sort those out.



The gear selector issue is a bit annoying. Has anyone got any ideas what I should be planning to do to get that sorted? I found the Comma gearbox oil in stock at Halfords, so that was an excuse for a drive out.

[gltease]

Deliberation yesterday. The weather was glorious. After cleaning the GT, I found a few splits in the plastic; one being on the front grill (my old one had split in a few places), and the rear wiper bolt cover. Hopefully a bit of CA or epoxy should sort those out.



The gear selector issue is a bit annoying. Has anyone got any ideas what I should be planning to do to get that sorted? I found the Comma gearbox oil in stock at Halfords, so that was an excuse for a drive out.

Thats a nice fixie sitting in the garage

[dragonflyjewels]

Gear selector parts were still available from Renault last year when one of ours was done.

[Laurie945]

Thank you gltease! It's the daily commuter. Though, technically speaking, currently set-up with a freewheel. It's hilly where I am, so it's handy for the descents.

And thank you dragonflyjewels, I shall look into Renault for gearbox bits. Opie had/has 20% off today (FLASH is the discount code) so I grabbed some belts, spark plugs, and gearbox oil. Hopefully an oil change will help it out a little.

[Laurie945]

I've just got to add, they're so much fun! I forgot just how much enjoyment they bring.

My current situation is I own this 480, plus a Reliant Rialto. I cycle most of the time, so one car is handy, and two is a luxury! I've currently got the Rialto for sale, as I don't need two, and the Volvo is a tad tight in the garage, but it's worth it!

I had a go at wet sanding the rear lights today, as someone in the past had done a terrible job! They still look awful, but when I've got the polishing wheel up and running I will post some photos.

Does anyone here know current supply for timing belt and related kit?

[jifflemon]

This is most excellent news!

So, timing belt - I'm a big fan of gates, so timing belt would be:

K015370XS - thats the full kit including tensioner and idler.
If you've not changed the drive belts yet, consider that, you have a pair of them:

3PK595 is the alternator drivebelt and
6PK1555 is the main drivebelt.

Its a relatively straightforward job - I've covered it several times in threads on here (all the rescue cars etc).
The fun part is that as you've got air con, you really need to remove the power steering pump, which inevitably means fluid loss. Which to me, says an opportunity to flush it out and renew!
It's mentioned in the handbook, but to save you finding it, power steering fluid is ATF, type F or G.

[Laurie945]

Thank you jifflemon.

I have purchased the drive belts already, thanks to your previous recommendations. The timing kit will be next.

[Laurie945]

Did anyone get to the bottom of what antifreeze they're meant to be running? My local Volvo dealer suggested GL5, but I heard 4 was the right specification...

[dcwalker]

Did anyone get to the bottom of what antifreeze they're meant to be running? My local Volvo dealer suggested GL5, but I heard 4 was the right specification...

Just use genuine Volvo coolant. It's not really any dearer than a good quality equivalent and it's right for all their cars.

If you use something else, just remember that our cars need green/blue stuff with silicates - they don't like the newer pink stuff!

David

[Laurie945]

Hi there all,

Just a quick update as I've been offline for a while; security issues with a couple of accounts; thankfully nothing major.

I managed to get a reproduction front spoiler from Wayne at W R Composites. When I picked it up, he said that he had stock of two plus the one I ordered, so if anyone is after one and don't want the wait then now might be a good time.



After toying with the idea of a CD player, and having purchased a Blaupunkt Stockholm 400, I've decided to stick with the VC802. There's nothing quite like a working cassette player, and albums are cheap, plus I love the 80's/90's aesthetic. Plus, the quality is far superior on the original, including the sound, which I was quite surprised about.

Stiff gear changes are the biggest bugbear I've got mechanically with the car, and I'm hoping a gearbox oil change will significantly improve this. I purchased some Comma MVMTF Plus 75W80, which is an API GL4 Fully Synthetic ... Hopefully a wise choice, unless someone can suggest otherwise (Volvo don't stock their oil anymore).

Anyway, I hope everyone is well, and looking forward to seeing another 480 on the road sometime soon.

Laurie

[Laurie945]

So, after a fail on the exhaust, which I knew about, but being wholly frustrated at the poor quality of the Klarius replacement centre silencer, reluctantly fitted the new centre, and now a clean sheet, just in time for its 30th birthday!



And I might have forgot to mention, but I managed to find a set of mats, plus a boot liner! This was another little addition I did not know about!

[Laurie945]

Auxillary and air con belt replaced.
Gearbox oil replaced.
Exhaust centre silencer section replaced.

It'll be a full service next, and the dash facia out to fix a non-functional hazard warning lamp switch. Then the timing belt kit. And getting the front spoiler sorted. Toiling between black or matching colour ...



The gearbox oil change dramatically improved gear selection, so I'd recommend this one to anyone who's struggling with gear changes. Not that I'm an expert, by any means!

[Jay-Kay-Em]

Toiling between black or matching colour ...

Standard is body colour, but get a quote from a paintshop - can't imagine any bodyshop even lifting a gun for anything less than £250 these days. This may affect the decision!

My similar Klarius experience kickstarted 6 weeks of exhaust fabrication! Shocking quality.

Careful with the dash surround- it has the structural integrity of a poppadom. Be ever so careful tightening the screw behind the alarm LED - if your dash isn't cracked in the top left corner, it may soon will be.

Always great to see updates. A very special car.