Average life span for Turbo in 1999 V70-XC

Chris_Arm · Post by **Chris_Arm** » 16 Dec 2010, 21:35

I am considering purchasing a 1999 Cross County and have been advised that the turbo units on these vehicles usually need to be replaced around 110 to 120K. The vehicles in my price range are well over 110K for the most part. Some sellers claim the turbo is "working fine" and has no issues, or can't tell me anything about the turbo unit. A good friend (who has owned and repaired many older Volovos) has claimed to this repair is unavoidable. Can anyone comment?

Many Thanks!

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 16 Dec 2010, 23:44

I have 160,000+ miles on my turbo and it still hauls. A buddy has 220,000 miles and his turbo runs strong. I have rarely heard of turbo failure when all lubricant and cooling systems are working correctly. There is no systemic turbo weakness among that vintage of Volvo in my opinion.

Even if the turbo did go bad more than likely it would only need a rebuild kit which is less than $50 in parts alone and can be done by the DIYer.

- Jesse

Post by **j_cd** » 17 Dec 2010, 02:12

Yes there is a good chance oil is leaking around the turbo air inlet and intercooler hoses, but that doesn't mean it's not working. I wouldn't consider it a deal killer. I've rebuilt one, and IMO, it's not a simple $50 repair either. First of all, I'm not aware of even a cheap Chinese rebuild kit that's that cheap. Secondly, it requires some tools. Do you have two different sizes of heavy duty snap ring pliers? Some know-how is required to reassemble the parts inside the compressor housing properly. At the very least you also want to replace the rubber hoses that attach to the oil and coolant lines going in and out of the turbocharger. Some people won't warranty a rebuild unless they replace the oil supply line too. So $50 is very optimistic if you ask me.

Chris_Arm · Post by **Chris_Arm** » 17 Dec 2010, 06:03

I am not a DIYer, I know some guys who are but there's no promise they will have the time to help me if I get into a pinch. However, I am prepared to pay someone qualified I just need to know how sound the advice is since I have yet to purchase, and also what it would cost me (guesstimate) for the fix, I've been told it's about 1800.00, sounds like it must be mostly labor since the parts you're describing sound reasonable.

I guess the other question is how does a car behave when it needs this repair? We don't drive our cars hard (last van was a 2000 ford windstar we managed to keep going for nearly 200K!), so how likely is it our habits will enable us to nurse it along if it does go south?

Thanks guys!

chris

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Dec 2010, 06:50

It won't cost you $1800, that's for sure. Mine leaks all over at 184,000 miles, but it still pulls like a freight train.

In most cases, you can either buy the rebuild kit, and it shouldn't cost you much in the way of labor to remove the turbo and have it rebuilt; or, alternatively, buy a used/refurbished turbo for $300-400.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 17 Dec 2010, 09:29

Theres a lot of BS talked about turbos. They are incredibly simple devices. They have tight tolerances yes, but are very simple. Unless you run a turbo that has "blown" for a long time and you continue to rag the a$$ of it, its usually repairable DIY for under <$200, including having the wheels professionally balanced. Its usually a case of replacing seals, gaskets and the brass bearings. I think the cheaper kits are around $60+shipping. You can get a set of circlip pliers needed for <$20 at harbour freight. My story: I have 200K+ on the turbo in my T5. Ive had it for about a year and 20K miles now and it regularly gets a healthy dose of full boost, no issues thus far. I'm sure at some stage I'll have to rebuild it. If for some reason I'm in there doing something else i'll rebuild it, but its not a stress item for me. Im more worried about the transmission, but thats what 5speed swaps are for

$1800 sounds like a dealer price. If it comes to it, get a refurbed turbo and have a local specialist put it in. If you believe the car has been properly care for, honestly dont worry about the turbo.

Post by **j_cd** » 17 Dec 2010, 09:59

boosted5cyl wrote:Theres a lot of BS talked about turbos. They are incredibly simple devices. They have tight tolerances yes, but are very simple.

Yes, yes there is. I would say fairly simple, but not incredibly simple. I cleaned mine and started to reassemble it, but then decided to take it to a turbo shop for final reassembly. I watched the guy put the compressor housing back together. The first thing he says is "You bent this piston ring here. If it gets bent even a little bit... not good." Someone putting together their first turbo is not going to realize that they may have bent the tiny piston ring inside oil deflector/flinger assembly, which is inside the compressor. We're not talking majorly bent here. If the two sides are off at all it can be a problem.

boosted5cyl wrote:You can get a set of circlip pliers needed for <$20 at harbour freight.

Yeah you can, but they're garbage. I looked there, ended up buying some at Sears. Those were barely useable as well. The pros use the good Knipex style ones... two different sizes, small and extra large. In any event, I'd say a proper rebuild of the turbocharger system is going to cost a lot more than $50 and a lot less than $1,800. Of that I am certain.

If you want to go from this

to this....

it's a lot of work.

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » 17 Dec 2010, 10:01

When I bought my 2000 V70XC I had the turbo done. Long story as to why and that is for another time. However here's what I was told for pricing: $500 for a rebuild or $1500 for a new turbo, those prices include labor. I originally was going with the rebuild but after weeks of waiting and not hearing anything I ended up with a new turbo. Where was I going with this? Oh yes I remember. The rebuild kit was coming from oversees and was on back order for 6 months and the shop I had do the work got one from a nearby Volvo dealer. So if your going for a rebuild I would check on the back order maybe it's not an issue now. My car had 153k miles on it and the turbo was still in good order. Sometimes I ramble but eventually I get to my point.

Post by **patrioty3k** » 18 Dec 2010, 12:52

My '95 850 s/wagon still spools up awesomely @ 208k.....don't know if you have same turbo/engine,but she still has plenty of power left in her.....

Post by **j_cd** » 18 Dec 2010, 14:10

patrioty3k wrote: My '95 850 s/wagon still spools up awesomely @ 208k.....don't know if you have same turbo/engine,but she still has plenty of power left in her.....

I read about a Volvo turbocharger that was going strong after 300,000 miles. The owner changed the oil every 3,000 miles for the entire life of the car.