98 V70 New purchase

MoneyPitC70 · Post by **MoneyPitC70** » 21 Feb 2014, 15:30

Hello, i'm considering a 1998 Volvo V70 base model, non-turbo, leather and full power options. It's a 2 owner with 150k miles. I've had several 99-00 S/V/C70's but don't have experience with the 98. Are there any issues or maintenance concerns that I need to be aware of? Any advice is appreciated.

Post by **chrafael** » 21 Feb 2014, 16:24

Front strut bushings, all vacuum hoses, heater core and connections (look for soiled carpet in foot well), ABS module, even burnt out light bulbs in the switches and radio can add up if you need to replace a lot of them.

MoneyPitC70 · Post by **MoneyPitC70** » 21 Feb 2014, 17:51

Thanks for the response. Is the 98 also on a 100K timing belt replacement schedule?

Post by **abscate** » 21 Feb 2014, 20:59

It is, I don't know the exact schedule for a 98.

Corrected to 70,000 miles timing belt below!!

Look for a sticker on the ECU box, passenger side to see if it has been done. You can also run the VIN by Volvo to see if they have a record of TB replacement

Post by **rspi** » 21 Feb 2014, 21:03

No, the '98 is on a 70,000 mile timing belt schedule.

http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvol ... fault.aspx

Post by **JRL** » 21 Feb 2014, 21:44

LATE build 98s have a 105K T-Belt

Post by **j-dawg** » 22 Feb 2014, 13:23

98- cars don't have the electronic throttle, VVT, solid lifters, as do (most) 99+ cars. 99+ cars use cartridge-style oil filters, where as 98- cars use canisters. if you were looking at a turbo, 99+ cars have engine oil coolers on the oil pan instead of in the radiator. 99+ T5s switched to the 16T turbo instead of the 15G that i think the 98s got. 99+ cars have a revised radiator design that still cracks. 99+ cars use a mechanical timing belt tensioner, whereas 98- cars used a hydraulic tensioner. the 99+ tensioner is more finicky, from what i've heard.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/13 ... hiteblock/ has some more info on the engine revisions, but for the most part this shouldn't affect regular maintenance outside of the VVT: tbelt changes will be simpler on the older cars.

Post by **E Showell** » 23 Feb 2014, 11:45

My 98 and 99 V70s use identical, canister-style oil filters. But for the burned exhaust valve on the '98, I think the '98 is more reliable and has less to worry about going wrong (no ETM issues on the '98). Both are no-turbo, fwd models. The '98 is a stick, the '99 an auto.

Post by **abscate** » 23 Feb 2014, 13:08

Interesting variation. My 99 is a late 1998 build date and uses the cartridge oil filter, and ETM of course. My original packed up at 135k, now running a yellow label.

High pressure, 5 speed.....

Post by **j-dawg** » 23 Feb 2014, 14:05

oh, also pretty significant: the ETM is part of an entirely different engine control system on the 99+ cars. 98- cars will have a distributor cap and spark plug wires to worry about instead of coil packs. i don't know which one sucks more. for what it's worth i've never had ignition problems on a car with direct ignition like the 99+.

i don't know if there are differences between the injectors.

the cartridge vs canister on the 99 may be a function of T5 vs NA, or it may be a serial thing. from what i remember, very early 99 cars don't have VVT, and only later 99s got solid lifters. mine is a december 98 build with hydraulic lifters and VVT. maybe some other changes were part of this as well.