2001 Volvo V70 Turbo-Need advise urgently

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 26 Apr 2010, 08:32

Hello guys, I am looking to get this car, it is at 151K
Can you all tell me what kind of service it would need at this mileage if I assume the previous owner didn't service it lately?
What are the common problems that I should look for?
I appreciate any help.
I need to decide in an hour.

Thank you.

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Apr 2010, 10:12

Can you all tell me what kind of service it would need at this mileage if I assume the previous owner didn't service it lately?

Yes. DONT BUY IT.

If a 2001 hasn't been taken care of, avoid it at all costs. The transmissions are a huge failure item on them, and they're generally full of other bugs from being the first model of a new design. Unless you've got service records, stay away from these 2001 & 2002 models.

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 26 Apr 2010, 12:29

I just talked to the owner, he said that it has been at the shop at every 5000, regular oil change and etc. It has been serviced regularly. The car is 300miles away from me so I didn't get a chance to test drive it.
I bought the car for $3000, what do you think?
The owner said that it has been a company car and they are downsizing the company, that is why they want to get rid of it. I bought it from ebay and plan on getting there this weekend.

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Apr 2010, 12:39

Not a bad price for a T5.

That's actually probably better - if you believe that story - our work vehicles are pretty well taken care of here, even though they're boring old minivans. They're always taken in for maintenance on time. The question I'd have is why did they get a turbo for a work vehicle?

As soon as you get it, take it to the dealer and have the transmission software update done. This will disable the stop-neutral feautre in the transmission if it hasn't been done and correct the 2-3 shift. These in turn inadvertently destroy the transmissions in 2001 models. Hopefully yours still works ok. The 5-speed is a really nice-feeling transmission if it's not broken - you can't even feel them shift.

Then do a full transmission flush as posted on the site here. Do NOT let anyone come near it with a flush machine. You'll need the Mobil or Volvo 3309 fluid. Alternatively, you can use the Toyota Type-IV fluid.

Once you've got that taken care of, look for a sticker on the electronic throttle module. You'll want to see a yellow one; if not, that could be coming up soon.

Those are the main failure points on 2001 & 2002 models. I drove a 2004 V70 2.5T and really liked the way it drove compared to my 98, but then it also had 120,000 less miles on the suspension and everything else than mine had. For a wagon, it drove a lot nicer than I was expecting

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 26 Apr 2010, 13:08

neworleans,

congrats on your T5 purchase, $3000 is not a bad price. Like jablackburn said, take care of the tranny things he suggested and enjoy that good looking speed demon, LOL

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 26 Apr 2010, 13:14

thank you very much for your reply.
i am driving a 2000 S80 and had 99V70, sold that one.
I am familiar with transmission fluid change and ETM, I will look into them.
I didn't know about the transmission software, but will ask the owner if he got that done.
What are the timing belt service intervals on these models? I know that it is every 100K on S80's hope it would be the same on these models?

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 26 Apr 2010, 14:10

yes the 2001 V70 has the same t-belt interval as the S80.

I like to do it 10k miles before the rec interval, ie 90K miles

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 26 Apr 2010, 14:49

Thank you, this car needs a gas cap cover, any idea where I can get it and how to install it? are there any write ups regarding?

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 27 Apr 2010, 08:12

usually the hinge to the fuel tank cover breaks (made of plastic). Try fcpgroton.com or ipdusa.com (links above) for the hinge.

If you need the cover itself, then the wreck yard is your best bet.