Can my Volvo 240 Wagon be Saved? (Here's What I Found)

I uncover some serious rust holes on the Volvo 245 wagon that were made worse by a previous bodge job. Now I face the decision whether to weld it up and restore it or use it as a parts car.
Another important area to check is the rear wheels arches and spare wheel well/storage compartments as they are very common (usually the first) to go.
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[@michaeltutty1540]

That is an incredible amount of rust. Just goes to show how a good oil spray saves a car. My Arthur has been oil sprayed since new, and the underside has never been touched. Not bad for 31 Ontario, Canada winters and some 600,000 kilometers. Without a major restoration, that poor old car is good for parts. If you do part it out, save the tailgate glass. It is hard to find and not available new. It took me 3 years to find a replacement.

[@Involvod]

What do you use? I've been using Fluid Film since last winter and I'm really happy with the protection so far. I actually sold the car complete to save another very worthy car

[@maplebones]

Is yours a 90 with the bigger glass ? Both sizes are plentiful in junkyards here in Vermont. You need to expand your horizons. What do you use to spray with ? I've been using Fluid Film and it seems to work pretty well. Do you spray it yourself ?

[@buqwik525]

I love the 240,740. When finding one for sale, ask the seller has the car been garage kept. It makes a major difference in the life of the car. It is sad to see these rot out. Good luck.

[@Involvod]

Rear wheel arches and spare wheel well/storage compartments too.. don't get caught out like me folks!

[@antonioercolino6087]

I have a 1969 Volvo Amazon. Same story. Looked OK when I bought it and I knew it would need some welding but... It was a real shed!! but... With time, a plan of restoration and patience it's sorted and now and rock solid. Don't despair you do what you feel is right. 👍

[@Involvod]

Glad you got it all sorted, it's crazy how much more rust there can be and usually is, but put the work in and it's all worth it if you want to keep the car. This one is proving to be a valuable parts car for the blue 244, but I still aim to keep it relatively complete and find it a good home

[@ASDASD34RDFS]

@@Involvod What happened to it? I bought a red 240 1988 model for 300 dollars. Had rust in mostly the same places as the one in this video. Less rust on the frame as far as I can tell (and know I might just haven't seen it). I've started welding mine back together though. Got passenger side frame and floor rebuilt. Not perfect but it's enough to pass an MOT and to extend the life of the car perhaps another 5 years.

[@gerardbosvonhohenfels1866]

When you buy a older car, you can expect this. I had the same. Please don't give up, especially when you love the car and be honest. Despite the found rust and holes, it's a beauty.

[@Involvod]

Very much so, but coincidentally it has many parts that the blue 244 needs so I think I have to use them, but I will try to find the wagon a good home

[@maplebones]

It's sad, but this car is beyond repair and should never have been sold.

[@SharpieEasternn]

You oughta check where the door hinge bolts in. Super common for leaks and rust Pull the fuse panel off the driver side and take a look behind the inspection cover. (6 Screws) On the passenger side, pull the ECU out and you can also check that inspection cover Other common leak spots is: The windshield Hood release cable Windshield wiper motor Firewall panels

[@Involvod]

Thanks mate, this one is a bit much for me to take on but I need to check these things on the new one for sure, I noticed a bit of water getting in on the passenger front corner, running down the seam next to the ECU like you said

[@Lenny-kt2th]

Thanks to this video I had a look and poke underneath my 245 and found it to be quite solid, only uncovering some rust in a wheel well. 9:18 those plates were loose on mine as well, and it looks like that is factory original.

[@Involvod]

Great result! Thanks, this was my first 240 so I realised after I found the same plate on the next one 😅

[@SwedishCrack]

This isn't that bad, I have saved worse 240 than this one! (I know you don't have a welder) BTW Really enjoy the channel, you are doing a great job saving these nice volvo cars.

[@Involvod]

Thanks 👍

[@siebendorfer-siebenkirchen5852]

I dream of a 245 for a long time. But I fear about this, what you just found. Right now I have enough to deal with my 765.

[@Involvod]

It's definitely a nightmare come true, but I won't let it stop me buying another, just now I know where to look and need to be extra vigilant, plus if there's questionable repairs that you can see, there's surely more where you cant :D 765's are beautiful, is it a V6 or Turbo? Where abouts in Germany are you?

[@siebendorfer-siebenkirchen5852]

@@Involvod it's the V6, as I like it most. I live in Brandenburg, one hour from Berlin. In Facebook i am Christoph Strauss, on Instagram @der_strausss and Sieben Dörfer - sieben Kirchen is my youtube-channel. Between the other stuff you'll find the Volvo-Pics. I'm a Volvo-addicted Pastor. ;-)

[@Involvod]

@@siebendorfer-siebenkirchen5852 Ah I see! Will check out your channels and sub. Let's do a car meet sometime!

[@maplebones]

There's nothing to fear. When you inspect a 240, take along a jack, a good light and a piece of cardboard to lie on. First thing to do before falling in love is to get on your back and inspect every inch of the underbody. You cant use a screwdriver on someone else's car, but you can use your finger to find soft spots. Expect that anything you find will be much worse once it's excavated. If you cant do this yourself, find someone who can or you will regret it. These cars are 30-40 years old now.

[@tomjakobsen9444]

That is not looking so good. You better learn to weld if you are to save that car. But it can end up being a good car if you put some work in to it. I have seen worse being saved. Good luck.

[@Involvod]

Thanks Tom that gives me some hope!

[@JMassengill]

Once purchased a VW van that I crawled out from under and put my hand in a hole that had the same treatment. I live in a state that didn’t have safety inspections. I drove it till the engine blew up.

[@cheharrison7107]

The Volvo 240 estate I have now had a bodged tailgate slam panel, made up of a lot of filler, newspaper and an old Quality street tin!

[@Involvod]

You have to admire the creativity 😅 and now I know what to call that panel finally! Thanks

[@akersjon278]

Dang it! It looked so good from the outside, even the interior was decent, but then it all started to go more and more south. And at the end of the video I think we all could see the silhouette of the Transantarctic mountain range... (I.E. Mount Rust More, where old Volvos go to die...) So sorry for you mate. 😢

[@Involvod]

Thanks mate, i'm in the process of trying to find her a good home, I'm sure someone with power and a welder will save her, or use it to save another one 🤞

[@herrjonna2007]

How this video only has 4k views is beyond me

[@Involvod]

Thanks! 😄 👍 Got a modern version of it going out tonight or tomorrow!

[@smiIingman]

I had similar problems with my 945 i bought before the winter. Pretty much entire passenger side side skirt was thinner than paper with some parts still being weldable. Pretty much had to weld the entire thing, turned out good but these volvos can be either treasure troves or rust nightmares. And to be fair, the rust mine had was very minimal compared to some other examples. I also purchased an -88 volvo 745 and it is absolutely rust free which is incredible. I expected it to be the worst one of my oldies but no, it's infact the best one.

[@Involvod]

It's crazy how it can go either way, although I am finding the 240s to be generally more problematic, they seem to go much faster, the 940s i've had have been really quite good, holes in the usual spots like battery tray etc but elsewhere just surface. Glad yours turned out worth it, would be great to see some pics!

[@smiIingman]

@@Involvod for sure! Ill take a few pictures when its 100% done as its been a project but it will finally be finished and ready for a drive over the weekend!

[@smiIingman]

@@Involvod Decided to put together the 2 pics of it that are almost identical. Top one is the day i bought it and gave it a wash. Bottom one was taken about 3 weeks ago, havent washed it since im still working on it but it will be fully done by next tuesday, Today i finished installing lowering springs on it to bring it juuust a bit down because the thing was a damn land rover. here's a gyazo link to the pics: gyazo.com/b4b1d500592d686d7ac8f2a9aaa8225e

[@Involvod]

@@smiIingman Nice! Those wheels look great and I think the clear indicators really suit it 👌

[@smiIingman]

@@Involvod Oh yeah i quite like the clear indicators however i might swap them out and purchase a pair of US Indicators that have the upright orange strip which would go well together with the prancing moose i intend to put under the side indicator.

[@billtomo]

It just goes to show there are bodgers in every country, its a shame you've been caught but its all a learning curve. Watch Nitrosilvia with his Rover sd1 it might inspire you with what he takes on. Good luck.

[@Involvod]

Yeah I was quite surprised to find that here, and thanks, the name rings a bell I'll go and check it out 👍

[@worldhello1234]

If money is no object, you can save everything.

[@Involvod]

Very true!

[@iridiumvalkyrie9017]

Soooo true

[@emmapartridge1244]

🙈 Ohhh dear 😬 (I wish you'd put some gloves on ☺️) xxx

[@jorglelke6967]

I have a 940 station wagon with 131PS and little rust for you to slaughter. approx. 280,000 km in the Hamburg area. I needed a few parts to get my 940 running again. Simply log in.

[@Involvod]

Hey, can you send me a message, perhaps on Facebook or Instagram? Link in the description, thanks!

[@fuman0]

ahhh but think of all the perfect parts you could sell off that vintage volvo! i sooo want those headlights lol

[@Involvod]

Well if I can't find someone to give her some love then I might have no choice 😬

[@hedlund88]

Bought a 242 about 9 years ago, it looked solid and no rust holes , the spare tire thingies in the back on both side looked good .. well until I lowered the car and crushed them parking at home , turned out it was just blankets and what I guess was undercoating on them that held them together

[@Involvod]

Man it's crazy how okay something can look until you break it up 😯

[@RichieRouge206]

Only just seen this, that’s insane rust 😬😪 extreme weight reduction. Put the carpet back down, pat it and pretend you didn’t see it…. Had to laugh at the dog face. But seriously it is a make or break situation. I found the padding on my 740 was dripping - that was down to the heater matrix blowing a hole.

[@Involvod]

Yeah it was excessive, luckily the sale of this thing funded the purchase of a much less rusty one. The heater matrix is supposed to be a nightmare job? People say "they built the car around it" 😂

[@GentilsGarage]

What a shame, but at least it can be used to save another one. I dread to see the full extent of the rust in my S80

[@Involvod]

Yeah definitely, this car ended up saving an old guys diesel 240, was written off after hitting a boar so he needed a whole front end. I feel your pain, it's not nice getting under the car with a screwdriver but you have to know!

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

A lot of the 240 parts are interchangeable, so you can fix the other 240 and if you have electric mirrors they are easy to put in, just like power windows, steel rims,

[@Involvod]

I had a plan to change/keep alot of engine parts but as one is lh2.2 and the other lh2.4 it rules alot of things out, so far I've taken a few bits, speaker covers, cooling fan, rear axle, will swap the radiator, but that's about all I need, the 244 has all the better stuff 😃

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

@@Involvod Yeah, but you have the brake calipers, that sometimes seize up, the windshield although if yours is good,the mirror, dash ,those dash they tend to crack a lot ,instrument cluster,the glove box,,these are some among the many parts you can use to make your 240, in even better condition,

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Argh man that’s so crap can’t believe someone had done those repairs like that what a shame. I hope you save her in some way shape or form...

[@Involvod]

Crazy isn't it. What would you do mate being a welder? Tackle it or reshell her?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@Involvod I would attempt to save her buddy the bones of that car are great and straight 240’s are getting hard to find but it’s obviously up to you 👍

[@Involvod]

I think it would be the easiest to cut pieces out of a scrap 240 to weld in? There's probably much more rust hidden behind underseal so it would need stripping to bare bones, but how long do you think the welding alone would take that you've seen?

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@Involvod yes if you could find a scrap 240 it would save you having to make the panels up for sure. Not sure how long it would all take from seeing the video I would suggest cutting it all out and seeing what you have left. Do they make repair panels for 240’s?

[@Involvod]

I'm not too sure but it would be great if they did, will have a shop around. Thanks for the advice man it means alot 👍

[@405_hive]

Now you got my attention....

[@andywarrington4738]

good for parts

[@Involvod]

That's the way it's started to go and it's been really useful, but I'm going to try and keep it complete-ish to sell on

[@greghill7759]

If you REALLY think she's beyond repair, don't lose heart. I don't know what you paid, but there are PLENTY of parts on there to sell to needy 240 owners. That interior looks fine, for a start. Tip for the future: NEVER buy a car in the dark!

[@Involvod]

Thanks Greg, I managed to pick up another one (vid coming soon) and can already see alot of things that can be swapped over, but I will still try and find her a good home, not about to weigh it in a hurry. I saw the car in light but was a bit hasty as it looked deceptively clean and was a good price, but on the next 240 I broke rule no.2 'never buy a car in the rain' 😃

[@greghill7759]

@@Involvod Night and then rain? Uh-Oh. PLEASE don't tell me the paperwork is in the post! Volvos are my second "most bought" cars, after Saabs, (which are sadly no longer around). The 240 is rightly becoming a popular buy, and going up in value, so if the price is too good to be true.... For insight into maintenance on 164s and 240s, check out "Dave Bello" on you tube. He's a bit in love with himself, but he knows Volvos.

[@Involvod]

Shame about Saab, I do have alot of time for them, still have a 9-3 in the family in the UK. But yes 240s are fetching some serious money now, even here in Germany where there are plenty! Thanks I'll check him out

[@PartridgeExteriorCleaning]

Ah man nightmare!

[@jvinsnes]

I thought mine was OK... it was worse than this. If the engine and transmission is good I'd weld her up

[@Involvod]

Good on you mate, I need to get a place with power and learn to weld so I can start to think about saving things like this!

[@plightn]

Oh rough luck! Well maybe you can find a pro places that can weld all of that up?

[@Involvod]

It was an option but I just picked up another 240 that's in much better shape, I think this rusty bucket needs a full strip down as I think there's a lot more hiding, hopefully I can find someone who can restore it themselves and will give it a new lease of life!

[@plightn]

@@Involvod I get that, good for you realizing early that it’s not something you want to tackle and moving on. A rolling restoration is preferable for sure!

[@mayflowerlash11]

Newspaper repairs. Some people are bastards. There is no excuse for taking a short cut which devalues the car for a future owner. Some people pay it forward, some arseholes steal from the next owner.

[@thomasteigen2793]

I have never owned a car that havent been wet in the floor. Whatever car brand it was. I have been welding much of the floor inside my golf 3 for a while now. And when i where going to do something else with it today,it was a lot of water at the floor. 😟 dont know where it inside.

[@Involvod]

Sorry to hear that, it's a real pain, doesn't take long for that moisture to start eating the metal does it. Perhaps the windscreen seal? Good luck I hope you win that battle

[@DRESHCO84]

take wath you can from the car sper parts and get a new 240

[@DRESHCO84]

sorry for bad english am from norway

[@Involvod]

Thanks for the feedback, hopefully I can find another shell and transfer everything over. I definitely need a 240 in my life, I can't be without one now 😃

[@dee106ful]

Anyone would tell you the windscreen rubbers go causing major leaks The rust is in the usual places . Just get chopping

[@Involvod]

No one did yet, that's very good to know! Thanks bud

[@lga9046]

Any plans to part it out? I have one just like her

[@Involvod]

I'm still debating that one, there is a few bits I need off it now for another 240 so it's definitely a possibility! What do you need? You can always reach me on FB/Insta as well 👍

[@chrisjackson7748]

Sorry you bought a rust bucket, mabe you could use it for a parts car? Good Luck buddy.

[@Involvod]

Exactly, I just picked up another 240 and these parts are definitely going to come in handy! And thanks 🙂

[@andywarrington4738]

what a bodge

[@ricky107_]

home this wont be off to the bangers now

[@Involvod]

No chance! Got a few bits to exchange with the 244 and then I'm going to try and find it a good home 🤞

[@ricky107_]

@@Involvod good luck! Hope someone can restore it!

[@Involvod]

Thanks mate, I think that's what it needs, a proper restoration and I haven't got the facility for it now, but hopefully one day

[@ricky107_]

@@Involvod it deserves it! Save the volvoss

[@englishgrandad3298]

Dam shame about that :(

[@englishgrandad3298]

Will you get another and use these body and interior parts ? or like Tom say's try and save it ?

[@Involvod]

Really tricky, I think it's too much for me to save without being able to weld personally, I think if someone will take it whole to save it that would be a better option. In the meantime if another clean 240 shell comes along I'll go down that route.

[@englishgrandad3298]

@@Involvod I hope one with your name on comes along, will there be more love on the 940?

[@Involvod]

@@englishgrandad3298 Been working on it this weekend, more to do next week, plus the inspection is coming up later this month 😬

[@completeexteriorcleaningse750]

That's shit buddy but as you said everything else is OK Think I'd keep all the good stuff for spares and scrap the body and buy another one you will gave some nice items in stock then too lights motors calipers ect ect could even sell some parts get some cash back

[@Involvod]

Exactly mate, but first I'm going to try and find it a good home, if that doesn't work the bits will help save others at least so it's win win

[@karibakid]

i saw a rusty door had loaf of bread used

[@oskarbastin367]

Rule number one, if it looks good on the outside. Fix the rust