How to Check Your Antifreeze Strength

Antifreeze (coolant) circulates through the engine to keep it at its ideal running temperature. It’s water-based. The problem is that if it’s pure water, it freezes at 0C or 32F, and it will literally crack your engine. Yes, freezing water … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Volvo Antifreeze: Which Brand? Mix with Water?
2. Coolant/Antifreeze Q&A
3. Replace Thermostat Volvo 850, S70, V70, C70 or XC70

Volvo Engine Oil Change — The Easy Way

I wrote a short and sweet DIY for Oil Change using wood ramps and no need to jack the car up. Basically as sweet and simple as possible! You can do this for under 30 minutes. [Have a newer Volvo? … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Spark Plug Change Tutorial: Volvo 850, S70, V70, XC70, C70
2. Which Oil for Turbo Engine?
3. 850 and V/S70 Shock Change Checklist

Five quarts of synthetic oil + filter, $24

Five quarts of synthetic oil and a filter for $24 ain’t bad, but you have to deal with a mail-in rebate. Good until October 15. Advance Auto Parts is running some specials as part of some silly celebration for being … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Percent of Synthetic in Semi-Synthetic Oil?
2. S80 Oil and Filter Change How-To (& other “P2″ Volvos)
3. Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is not 3309 Compliant

Volvo S60: Sorting out ETM vs Transmission Problems

Installing a new rebuilt transmission without doing the following is fruitless: Full transmission fluid flush Go to a dealer or Volvo indie shop to get rid of the stop neutral transmission “feature” Clear and reset all the adaptions And do … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Transtar1 Volvo Transmission Parts
2. Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems
3. V70 – Replacing B4 Servo Cover Fixes Shift Flaring

Magnetic Drain Plugs – How Do They Work?

The Benefits and Risks of Using Magnetic Drain Plugs Regular magnets will lose their magnetism at aprox 170 degrees. The oil runs much hotter and you do not want an ex-magnet floating around in the engine. I drill out the … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Volvo Inline-5 Likes Regular Cheap Copper Plugs
2. V40 or S40 Spark Plugs
3. Unclog the Evaporator Drain (A/C)

AWD Volvo Whining Noise

Diagnosis Help and Advice on XC90 AWD System It had a noise when accelerating when cold, it sounded like someone tapping a pan under the car. My friend found the problem to be the rear output CV shaft was lacking … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Volvo V70 Straight Pipe Exhaust Mod
2. Volvo XC90 Rear Differential
3. Pre-2001 Volvo XC70 AWD Drive Shaft Removal

Save Money on Seafoam and Harbor Freight Products

Here are links to a couple recent topics that will help save you money: 25% off Harbor Freight products — it’s only good for Easter Sunday — but it works in stores, on the phone, and on their Web site. … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Fix Cracked ABS Module and Save Money
2. Seafoam Instructions, The Official
3. Seafoam Works

1998 Volvo V70 Brake Hydraulics Overhaul

Brake Hoses, Caliper Seals/Dust Boots Rebuild Tutorial MVS Contributor and Member CN90 documented his thorough brake hydraulics overhaul and posted it in the forum. His tutorial is the next best thing to a Volvo tech sitting next to you saying … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Hand brake not working properly (V70 1998)
2. Volvo 940 Front brake job, fluid flush DIY
3. S80 Parking Brake Adjustment

Coolant/Antifreeze Q&A

Hopefully many will read and understand the issue of using an OAT when a HOAT is needed. In the Ford motor, damage occurred quickly. This is the same reason I am always recommending a HOAT for our cars instead of an OAT like Prestone etc. If you have a turbo and you don't use a HOAT - you are asking for it. Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Oil In Coolant
2. Volvo Antifreeze: Which Brand? Mix with Water?
3. Update your Radiator Cap! 200/700/900 Series Volvos

How Often Should You Flush Your Transmission Fluid?

I have been flushing my ATF (as opposed to a Transmission Drain & Fill… in other words: where I disconnect the cooler hose and flush ATF) using the following guidelines: Mobil Synthetic ATF (It take about 9-10 qts for a … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. XC90 Transmission Fluid Flush
2. New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures
3. Transmission Fluid Flush Tip 2

Step-by-step Tutorial Replacing Head Gasket: Volvo 5-cyl

This is a link to an outstanding step-by-step tutorial on replacing the head gasket on a Volvo 5-cylinder engine. This is one of the best tutorials on anything Volvo that I’ve seen anywhere. I was frustrated that there wasn’t “more” … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Volvo Head Gasket – Repair Tips
2. Blue Devil Head Gasket Sealer
3. Head Gasket – Overheat Problem Identification?

Just Got Back from Volvo Specialists (Denver)

…and wow do they know their stuff. Volvo Specialists are a very talented crew with a substantial amount of experience gained by working for local dealer service departments (McDonald Volvo, Rickenbaugh Volvo). I met owner Mike, manager Brett, and about … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. XC90 Transmission Fluid Flush
2. Change 740/760 Transmission Fluid? How Much?
3. Volvo High Milage Club Badge History

Oil leak

98 S70 T5 Oil leak First glance, I thought it was the RMS but the more I investigate it appears to be leaking from the oil pan. I say this because the oil is not coming from the weep hole … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Options to Fix a Rear Main Seal Leak
2. Rear Main Seal Leak Volvo 760
3. Volvo 850 Turbo with Crankcase Pressure, Oil Leak

Oil in Water

I think the best advice I could give is to tow it. Even if you have to run over to U-haul and rent a car carrier for a few bucks. Or call your mechanic. He maybe able to work something … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Volvo Antifreeze: Which Brand? Mix with Water?
2. Water Drops in Oil? Not Always Bad
3. Instructions w/pics: Changing Timing Belt/Water Pump/Tensioner

2001 V70 2.4T ATF Drain and Fill Tutorial

Save Money – Get the Toyota Transmission Fluid I did all the research I could do on the topic and made the decision to go with the Toyota Type IV ATF going with the simplified drain and fill method. We … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Unclog the Evaporator Drain (A/C)
2. Change 740/760 Transmission Fluid? How Much?
3. C70 Convertible HP 2003 transmission slips from 2nd to 3rd

Molyslip and Ceramic Oil

Let me say that I understand your concern. And I appreciate your question, but I will always find it hard to understand / believe how many potential buyers will ask questions of us that would be (and are) considered absolutely … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. ALL 2001 trannies eventually go bad, they’re junk?
2. Thermostat Change Tips n Tricks

It really saves gas and gives power!

Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment Specifically, Fuel Additives Generally Pro I am using it now for the second gas fill up and notice a significant change in gas saving and power. I guess it does the upper cylinder cleaning as it … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. 850 power antena
2. What’s your best Highway fuel economy?
3. Why Too Much Power Can Be Bad

Mangefine Filter Installation Tutorial w/ Pictures

Today I finally got around to doing the transmission flush on my wife S60. The car had 94K miles on it and I’m not sure it’s ever been done, so I was a little worried about the urban legends of … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Replace Cabin Air Filter Tutorial w/ Photos
2. S80 1G 6Cyl Auto Transmission Fluid & Filter Change How-To
3. Transmission Filter Replacement

Volvo S70 Upper Transmission Hose Removal – Green Clip

Matthews Volvo Forum member SilverS70 posted this helpful transmission hose removal video which shows you the hose, the green clip, and how to remove it for flush/fill trans fluid. Thanks SilverS70! Related posts:New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures Transmission … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures
2. Transmission Fluid Flush Tip 1
3. Transmission Fluid Flush Tip 4

Bad Gas?

Bad Fuel Causes: Water (Plus Ethanol Discussion) I am a fuel distributor and have several repair shops and or stations. Most cars have not been affected,because fuel has been run thru the system on a regulars basis. Several older cars, … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Fuel Tank Recall Notice
2. Fuel Fumes When Tank is Near Full
3. Dealer Repairs are Expensive (Fuel Tank Leak)