K&N air-filter is awesome![ALL/1988] posted by Terence Lui on
Friday, 20 February 1998, at 1:29 a.m.

For anybody who wonder whether or not K&N air-filters can increase HP or improve engine performance, I can tell you that they do. Today, I took my 95 854T
for my 30k check-up, the mechanice somehow missed the K&N warning sticker and threw away my K&N and put in a OEM paper filter. When my car was
done, I didn't check the bill carefully and drove off. On the way home, I felt something is not right, the car just didn't accelerate as fast as it used to be, it seems
like my car has a stuffy nose. When I got home, looked into my air-box and found the OEM paper in it. I rushed back to my dealer immediately and fortunately, I
was able to rescue my K&N filter from their garbage can. After cleaning and re-oiled the filter, I can feel the added power again!
By the way, I also have my Nology Hotwire spark plug wires installed in my car today, I used the Volvo plugs. The car did feel smoother, but I think it's mainly
due to the new plugs, I have yet to see if I can really feel any improvement from using the Nology wires.
Terence Lui
'95 854T

I also noticed improvement using the K&N filter, although there appears to be differing opinions about the long term effects on the engine when using the K&N
versus paper filter. My opinion is that oiled gauze would be as adequate at filtering fine particles as the paper, after all, that's what the oil is for.

About the spark plug wires, I lean toward the stock wires. My last set lasted for 12 years and 160kmi. I replaced them only because they were 12 years old and
not because they had any real problem (they are now my spare set). Both the stock coil and wires seem to be of very high quality and durability and work great
for me on the street.

Bill

Hi Terrence, I've been thinking about my 30K mile service (not due for another 10K miles), and wondering whether or not I should do it , or have the dealer do
it..I too have the red sticker on my air cleaner box, and have often thought the mechanic out of habit may throw it out, like yours. That's unforgiveable...I would
tell them to DO NOT PERFORM THE AIR FILTER SERVICE! and write it on the service order. Even so, that's no guarantee...So, I'll probably do the service
myself, like I do most of them...I routinely use Mobil1 either 0W or 5W-30 oil, and Mann filters from IPD. The rest of the srvc is just related to checking fluids
and topping up where needed, and inspecting the brake pads, and lubing the door and hood and trunk hinges. The dealer usually gets about $250 for this,
whereas I do it in from 1 - 2 hrs, for about $25. For the 30k mile srvc, only add plugs. Now, Volvo srvc literature says to use either their own kit, or to use
Champion # RC 7 GYC , which dont seem to be available here, but does indicate to use a 7 heat range...IPD as well as Trollhattan sells the Bosch #FR7DC plug
for our car. So that's how I'll go. Your experience with the dealer is typical of why I choose to do my own service, except for that which I'm not comfortable or
skilled enough at doing. And also, I think that occasionally, its not a bad idea to have the pros check it out in case I missed something. But sloppy work as in your
case may obliterate this supposed advantage!

Do not assume that Bosch heat range numbers and Champion heat range #'s indicate the same range. They Do Not! If you have a look in a spark plug book;
you'll find that Champ. has 1 plug to fit many applications. Whereas Bosch has several plugs available. I'm sure NGK has a plug that more closely resembles the
Bosch spec. than Champion.

> The rest of the srvc is just related
> to checking fluids and topping up where needed, and inspecting the
> brake pads, and lubing the door and hood and trunk hinges. The
> dealer usually gets about $250 for this, whereas I do it in from 1 -
> 2 hrs, for about $25. For the 30k mile srvc, only add plugs.

There is more then adding plugs on the 30K service (for 800/70 series).
Also included are brake fluid flush, air filter, replace coolant,
pollen filter replacement, and some other things I can't recall off
the top of mu head. You can still do all of those things yourself
since none are too complicated. A local dealer charges about $340
for 30K service on an 850 (somewhere I have a list of everything that
includes). 200 and 700 series cars are higher (and the local Chevy
dealer charges more for a 30K service on a V6 Chevy). At our recent
30K service I asked them to not change the oil since I do it more
frequently (and use synthetic). I think they knocked $20.00 off and
did not have a problem with reading the service order :)

30K also seems like a point where the front brake pads will need
replacement (if not done earlier). Don't forget to keep an eye on
that.

Overall I have had good experience with dealer work (maintenance and
warranty). I also like the idea that an experienced mechanic is
looking over the car and can/should spot any potential problems (I
assume they know the problem areas to keep an eye on). In fact, when
in for the 30K service they noted the upper engine mount was cracked
and replaced it under warranty. Another warranty item they fixed (in
the past) was a broken retainer bracket for the rear door. This is
the bracket on the door frame that the retainer arm attaches too; it
prevents the door from swing out too far. They had to remove the
door, re-weld the bracket to the frame, paint and re-hang the door.
They did a good job fixing something I thought would be difficult to
fix correctly.

The good work done on our 95 850 was a major influence on my dealer
and vehicle choice when I recently purchased a new car (an S70, I
wonder how often the service department influences sales in this
manner -- either good or bad?).

>>There is more then adding plugs on the 30K service (for 800/70 series).
Also included are brake fluid flush, air filter, replace coolant,
pollen filter replacement, and some other things I can't recall off
<<

Not in the Volvo 850 Literature, of which I've bought all...maybe your dealer sells you more , but....At the 30K, Volvo says that in addition to the normal 10k
srvc items, to throw in a set of plugs, and a new air filter...That's it. In my case, I changed my own pads a short time ago to a low dust variety which works great.
I also use a K&N so that takes care of the air filter. And as for plugs, I've got that solved with Bosch FR7DC, so...

As for your other points, I will hand you that you've got an exceptional srvc facility...I also have a good one, but not as good as yours...For instance, its a well
known fact that the torque rod arm under the hood contains a rubber bushing which is known to often crack and break...When examining mine a while ago, I
found this condition , so, under warranty, I took it to the dealer and told them to replace it....I wait for my car, so the srvc writer came out and said to go and
show the technician; that he couldnt see what I was talking about...So, I took hold of the black pipe to which it is attached, shined a light on it, and shook...Well,
wonder of wonders, the crack opened up for all to see...

My point is that if you have a dealer who will honestly tell you of warranty problems without you pointing out a problem first, than I'm afraid you are in the minority
and should consider yourself very lucky. I'm convinced that the only way warranty items will get taken care of at most dealers is for you to point out a play in the
wheel, a 'vibration' in the brake pedal, or a fail to start, before they will take any action beyond the ordinary maintenance, which is well within the scope of most
enthusiasts. I have all the TSBs so I usually know what to look for, moreso than the dealer, unfortunately, in too many cases!

Oh, Ray, sorry I forgot to add about the brake fluid...while youre right that Volvo recommends that it be flushed, the interval used is 2 yrs, or as in your case, 30k
miles....I'm accustomed to looking at time instead of mileage on this one, since I only put on about 7500 mi/yr!

http://www.execpc.com/~kcc/volvo.html
For those of you who want to do you own service go to the above location and order the Service Manual. It will give all the intervals and how to do each
operation. Also get the electrical schematics, they will help many times.

Yeah, Don, I've spend a small fortune on most of the relevant Volvo service lit books, as well as the Haynes British (only) manual. But, its well worth it. After
studying this stuff, it gives you alot of confidence in being able to do the 10k mile services safely and correctly. It also gives you the information you need in order
to intellegently determine which of the procedures you feel like tackeling yourself, and which are better left to the pros. I probably paid for them the first 10k mi
srvc I did on my own!