2001 v70XC; compatible transmissions/advice?

[BerniniCaCO3]

Hi!

A couple weeks ago I'd asked for car-buying advice and was steered away from a 2001 V70XC. On the basis that the guy maintained it thoroughly and swore to a transmission rebuild, I bought it anyway, only to discover that he simply lied and had sold it cheap, as the transmission was already toast. I've since posted a m4tranny ad on craiglist with his number... but anyway

All is not lost. My neighbors have a dedicated volvo mechanic that they've used for years. The car passed inspection, already has the new ETM and software update, and he's looked it over post-purchase and says that the transmission is the only thing (a big only, but still), and can do a swap with a salvaged transmission for cheap. He also complimented me on driving it 100miles back to Baltimore in its present condition, apparently it won't even go into reverse now....

So, I was wondering if someone had a list of compatible transmissions, as I search for salvages? Someone has a 2001 C70 t5 with 100,000mi that has body damage and is selling for parts; I can find out more, wondering if its transmission (and might as well swap the engine too if I have it) could be compatible?

Do you have further advice to offer--i.e, should I really look for a 2003+ transmission, as another 2001 might fail again soon? If I can find and afford it, look for another 50k mile transmission, if a replacement salvage that already has 100k won't last much longer and the labor to change it out would be soon lost?
I'm going through back posts to read up on how to care for my new transmission once I have it, too



Now, in another direction maybe....
I'm a college student, and this was supposed to be the car to last me through the end of grad school (and might yet be). With full disclosure this time, and the MD inspection, I've actually got people interested in buying the car off of me for what I paid. I'm still out not quite $500 in taxes, title, tags, inspection, dealer diagnostic, and replaced MAF (what I was told was originally wrong), but instead of spending another $1500-$2000 on the salvaged transmission, I could resell the car, and for a few hundred less buy a 1997 sable wagon with 93k miles on it, a 2001 taurus wagon with 50k miles and body damage, or a 2000 ford focus wagon with 100k miles and an already rebuilt engine/transmission (apparently a common issue-- I'm avoiding focuses with 150k miles and no history of service). If you know about taurus/sable, or about focus, are they reliable cars? Maybe as a poor college student I should switch into one of those and resell the volvo? Or with the replaced transmission, should I get plenty of happy life out of the volvo?

My father's advice is to borrow the extra $2000 from him and stick with the volvo; $2000 can be earned back in another summer's labor, and then I'll have a luxury volvo with a replaced transmission that passed inspection; versus starting the crapshoot over again and hoping that the 93,000 mile '97 sable doesn't have any inspection-failing hidden issues of its own.


let me know your advice! Mostly on the new transmission, since that does seem to be the direction I'm going in; maybe on getting out of the '01 v70 if that's your advice too.

[jblackburn]

Find another transmission, preferably one from a 2002-2005 model. I don't know what the 2001 C70 uses, as they are a different beast from the typical Volvo 5-cylinder lineup.

My advice would be to keep the Volvo. The 145-hp Tauruses blow head gaskets like crazy, so unless you can find a Duratec V6 model (only certain SE models had them), stay away from them. My family has never had very good luck with Fords. My parents have owned a Ranger, an Expedition (huge pile of pretty junk), and my sister currently owns an Escape that has been a nightmare.

The transmission is the exact reason we tried to steer you away from the 2001 model, but hopefully, aside from that, the rest of the car will hold up well

[otis44]

The C70 is a fwd car, no go on that transmission. Based on what I see at car-part.com which uses the Hollander interchange, only 01-02 model transmissions are listed for your car, Hollander is not the gospel but is usually pretty accurate.

For what its worth, I have a low mile 05 S60 awd transmission and recently a couple of guys with 02 XC70's were inquiring about it, they were told by there dealer and indy mechanic that it would not swap. I personally don't know anything about the swap, but I would think in looking at newer models you might have computer issues as well as factors like differences in the awd systems coming into play. But, once again I don't know this to be fact and you might ask your dealer or other trust worthy source on compatibility.

Before I would by a used 01-02 transmission, I would spend some time finding someone who is thoroughly competent in rebuilding these transmissions and go that route.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, I must +1 jablackburn and otis44. I would sidestep the swap and go for a competent rebuild. I think you'd get more for your money. If you need the name and location of an HONEST transmission shop, who isn't THAT far away from you, let me know. If your woes are limited to the transmission you're not in that bad shape. Ohh the price of luxury. Kira ps to whom are you able to unload this car? That could be the best option of all. K

[jblackburn]

Otis, you're right The AWD system was changed to an electronic system in 2003, thus the transmission is different.

So in that case, you'll need to find a 2002 XC transmission if you're looking for a replacement. That might be a bit hard. I've been told that most shops don't like to rebuild the 5-spd Volvo transmissions because they're insanely complicated compared to the old 4-speed boxes. But you'll have to ask around. A rebuild by a competent mechanic would almost certainly ensure that the transmission would last the rest of the life of the car. I rebuilt the manual tranny on my old Honda, and that thing will probably outlast the rest of the car now...if the new owner hasn't gotten fed up with it like I did

THEN MAKE SURE THE STOP-NEUTRAL FUNCTION SOFTWARE UPDATE IS DONE.

[BerniniCaCO3]

Hi!

Kira; I'm in Towson/ just north of Baltimore city proper. Know anyone in particular within 50 miles as far as rebuilding the transmission? Does that really cost $3000? (I can only spare $2000, and that's tough-- told the swap could be done maybe for $1500 once he finds something). I did get the impression from my mechanic who opened it up, however, that it might be beyond a rebuild (though he does not actually perform that level of repair)...
i.e., that it can't just be disassembled and cleaned; but that many a gear will need replacement-- are these standard parts? Insofar as a gear wholesaler will make these diameters, number of teeth, pitch, or whatever else is used to define a gear; or if volvo had the component gears ground and hardened just for this transmission with wholly custom specs.

Basically, resell it to someone off of craigslist who would be looking to do exactly the same thing-- find a salvaged replacement. The title just arrived in the mail yesterday, so I can sell it now.

Well-- let me know about anyone you know who does rebuilds?

Just to be doubly sure; the XC has its own transmission, right? another 2001 v70 even, if it's not the xc, won't work (because of the awd)?

[otis44]

Just to be doubly sure; the XC has its own transmission, right? another 2001 v70 even, if it's not the xc, won't work (because of the awd)?

Correct

[Japedo]

I had a similar experience to you. I baught a 2001 V70 XC in september of 2007, with a toasted transmission. I got the taosted transmission rebuilt. New valve body, torque converter etc.. It was very expensive $4000 "im glad i baught an aftermarket warranty" but came with a one year warranty. And for an extra 300$ a 3 year warranty. It was through MR. Transmission a canada wide franchise.

Mine was at 88miles when It got rebuilt and is now at 155miles, short of that the car has been reliable and has only a had regular maintenance since then. I can honestly tell you that these motors are near bullet proof, and if you had a good tranny you would havea good car again.

But Like I said my originall tranny was toast at 88miles, I wouldn't buy a secondhand one unless it had like 30miles or something. Better off to geta rebuild i think.

Good Luck Hope you rolling soon,