If you can get your hands on a bore scope you can probe the spark plug holes and look for ding marks in the tops of the pistons.

Judging from the linked pic it appears that separator box has the built in diaphragm which would mean you have a non-turbo. In that case it’s very likely that the diaphragm is all coked up and not controlling the PCV vacuum any more. If that’s the case then a new box will be in order. If, on the oth...

The diaphragm part comes integral to the box. You can see it in the parts house photos. I just opened up my old one out of curiosity and then took a picture of it. Be careful when ordering a box as the large angled hose on the bottom comes in two different diameters where it connects to the engine b...

I ran over to Voluparts and picked up a new relay and still no LH or RH brake lights. So I swung the REM down and out so that I could follow the circuit in and out of the relay and then in and out of the shunt which is downstream from the relay. I had power all the way through and out of the shunt b...

It appears that 19 years and 250,000 miles have taken their toll on my V70’s rear shocks. I don’t think I need another 19 years/250K out of the next pair so will pass on the pricey OE units. Does anyone have anything bad to say about the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks? (P/N 553385 for 2003 V70 Base) Thanks i...

Embarrassingly I must admit that after nearly 50 years of driving various model Volvos that I don’t recall EVER replacing rear shocks of any of them. (Front struts are another story.) I see that the V70’s utilize a separate shock mount on the rear shocks. Does that shock mount contain some sort of r...

You can try this website. You can search by distance from your zip code: https://www.car-part.com Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot more front-end totals in the junk yards vs rear-end totals, making your search a bit more difficult. Hopefully the other driver, or their insurance company, are fo...

- The oil trap can be cleaned and re-used. They last up to 300K. Probably not so true in this case though. The non-turbo separator boxes have a built in diaphragm that is supposed to control the amount of vacuum placed upon the PCV system. Over time it gets all coked up inside and the diaphragm can...

Whenever fuel delivery is in question I like to attach a fuel pressure gauge to the injector rail schrader valve and use a long section of fuel injection rated hose running from the rail, out the back of the hood, to the gauge which is taped to the windshield. Then I can monitor fuel pressure while ...

Whenever you have a Phillips or Torx screw that is so tight that you fear stripping the screwdriver slots or torx pocket when loosening, here is something that often helps: take a drift punch that is narrow enough to reach the bottom of the slots/pocket and give it a few good raps with a ball peen. ...