Volvo 740 Parts & Accessories

Quick Fun Facts about the Volvo 740

• The Volvo 740 was part of the Volvo 700 series-a range of mid-size cars manufactured by Volvo Cars in the 80s and 90s. It was joined by two other vehicle models such as the 760 (released two years before the 740) and the 780 (launched two years after the 740 was introduced to the market). The 700-made as a replacement for the 200 series-was eventually replaced by the 900 series in the early 1990s.
• The 700 series was designed by the legendary Jan Wilsgaard-Volvo's chief designer at that time. He was named as one of the top car designers of the 20th century along with other famous names in the automotive world like Giorgetto Giugiaro, Giovanni Michelotti, Leonardo Fiovaranti, Ercole Spada, and more.
• The “4” in the Volvo 740 was once used to signify its four-cylinder engine. But aside from this, it was also given other names like the “Volvo 745” for the five-door station wagon and the ”Volvo 744” for the four-door sedan.
• 1993 was the final model year of the Volvo 740. It came with several changes including the replacement of the mechanical engine cooling fan by an electric fan. Additionally, the 740-along with other 1990-92 Volvo 700-series cars-was considered as one of the most reliable four-door passenger sedans of its era because of two reasons: one, it only has a few engineering limitations; two, it has an excellent build quality.
• The Volvo 940-introduced in September 1990-was basically a 740. Although the rears in the 940 sedans are different, the vehicles' chassis, transmission, engine, and other details were identical to the 740. Aside from these, these car models also have the same drivetrain options, dashboard, and sheet metal that came from the A-pillar forward.
• When it comes to car safety, the Volvo 740 was one of the most dependable vehicles at that time according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS. As a matter of fact, it had the second lowest driver fatality rate in the United States back in 1994, which makes it the ideal car for small families.

Volvo 740 is part of the Volvo 700 series and was introduced in 1984. It was more reasonably priced than the Volvo 760, which was the first model launched for the 700 series. Volvo 740 benefited from the prestige that the 760 gained, and it definitely proved to be a fine and satisfactory car except for some problems that 740 owners usually encounter. So to make sure that the Volvo 740 lasts, better watch out for these parts and see what can be done before any serious damage occurs. Overall, Volvo 740 is an excellent car, but it can be flawed as well.

Brakes

Volvo 740 brakes may be disappointing because they seem to be not firm enough. They can turn rusty even when used every day as well. In this case, changing the discs might help a lot. Jacking up the car and using axle stands instead of just a jack would be more advisable for safety. Remove the brake pads and be careful not to breathe in brake dust. The caliper and the hand-brake linings should be cleaned, too. In fitting the new discs, the preservative must be removed. Also keep in mind that the flexible hose should not be twisted when re-fitting the calipers. Applying copper grease to both sides of the anti-squeal shims is recommended as well.

Engine

The Volvo 740 engine actually performs well but can be rough and noisy. What causes this sound is when the kick-down on the automatic transmission is used. This issue is most likely a design problem. However, changing the engine oil on a regular basis would surely help in preventing any more problems with the engine. Use oil and oil filter, which are of good quality. Remember to drain the oil when hot and never tighten the filter too much.

Wheels

There are complaints about the bent rims of Volvo 740, and this flaw can be very hazardous. For this problem to be solved and to prevent accidents in the future, changing the wheels and getting new rims would be the best thing to do. Alloy is recommended to ensure safety and good handling.

This beloved 700 Series of the Volvo has seen many versions and model years since its introduction in 1984 and it has become a collector's item for many car enthusiasts around the world mainly because of the superb safety standards of Volvo. The sedan and wagon models (Volvo 740, 760, 780) carries with it the signature box-type design which is part of the historic past of the brand. You should never take for granted the looks of your car just because it's still works and still gets you from point A to B on a daily basis, so here are some tips on how to care for your Volvo 740.

• Do it yourself paint restoration.

You may become wary of the faded paint on your Volvo once the mileage rate starts to show on the outside. No, you may not use that bucket of house paint lying around your garage but there is a simple way of restoring the paint job on your 740. Just grab a clay bar kit from the motor store and rub away after washing your car. Finish the entire process with polishers and wax. Apply with proper polishing and finishing pads to get the job done. You'll see instant results after the process, leaving your car smoother and richer in color. These kits can be used several times before the clay finally dries up. Make sure to read the instructions before your proceed with the entire procedure.

• Look out for signs of rusting.

Rust is one of the common problems of old cars, whether it's under the hood or on the body of your vehicle. Climate and weather conditions contribute to the formation of rust like snow, rain, and extreme heat. Wiping your car dry after braving that thunderstorm can help prevent formation of rust in the future. Opting for the covered parking space can go a long way in preserving interiors of your car because this is one of the common causes of cracking on your dashboard. Buying rustproofing sprays can also safeguard your Volvo from the marriage of oxygen and metal. Some companies also offer advanced electronic gadgets to help with rusting in your engine.

• Check your car's ATF.

Transmission problems are common in some Volvos, old or new, due to software problems and lack of fluid servicing. Replenishing the automatic transmission fluid can prevent extensive damage to your vehicle. A common symptom is difficulty in shifting. If you experience this, look up on ways on how to check your ATF levels before taking any action. If your car needs servicing in this area, make sure that you are using the correct type of fluid otherwise it may lead to further damage. This process may just save you from replacing your entire transmission system.

• Examine your vehicle's engine.

Oil sludge may indicate a broken cylinder head gasket for some Volvo 740s with B23, B200, B230, B204 or B234 engines so you should go to the service center if you spot this problem. Inspect the engine for oil and water coolant/water pump leaks; if your oil is too black you may need to replace the oil, if it smells burnt you may have an engine problem. Check the wiring harness as well for signs of cracking and damage.

The 740 belongs to Volvo’s line of mid-size luxury cars that were produced from the 80s to 90s. The first vehicle that came out for this range was the luxurious 760, which was the automaker’s attempt to enter the prestige market of the automotive industry. This car was said to be Volvo’s way of veering away from its usually boring yet solid and safe vehicles. Two years after, the 740 was released, and it was created as an inexpensive version of the 760. Here’s a quick look at the changes that the Volvo 740 underwent during its decade-long run.

With the success of the 760, the lower-end 740 model was introduced to the market two years after in 1984. Compared to Volvo’s earlier 200 series, the mid-sized 740 featured better styling, performance, and luxury. The model was sold in two body types—a four-door sedan, which was sometimes called the 744 and a five-door station wagon, which was also known as the 745.

In Italy, vehicles with bigger engines were heavily taxed and because of this, Volvo furnished their 740s with intercooled versions of the 2.0 L Turbo B200ET engine. This engine was able to churn out up to 156 hp at 5,500 rpm, which was definitely more powerful than the non-intercooled B19ET engine that it replaced.

In 1989, Volvo’s first multivalve engine was introduced to 740 models in the form of the 16-valve B230 engine. It was large in size and could produce as much power as a Turbo engine.

During this year, several mechanical improvements were done to the 740. For instance, it B200 and B300 motors were furnished with larger connecting rods. At the same time, its Garrett T3-series turbocharger engine was also upgraded to Mitsubishi’s TD04 series. It was also furnished witg a new 2.4 Bosch LH-Jetronic fuel injection system. This equipped the 740 with an onboard diagnostics system, which doesn’t need any special tool to run. The changes and upgrades in the 740 weren’t just limited to its under-the-hood components, though. In fact, in 1990, the model received minor changes in its exterior components, particularly in its lights. The 740 was equipped with new composite headlights and it also adapted the style of the Volvo 780’s tail lights.

After receiving major upgrades the previous year, the 740 was furnished with a newly-designed dashboard that resembled that of the 760 in 1991.

The production of the 740 officially ended in October 1992. However, some of its components like its engine, transmission, chassis, etc were utilized by the Volvo 940, which was an almost identical model. In its last year, it still underwent several changes like replacing its mechanical engine cooling fan with an electric version.