1998 V70 $310.00 boneyard intercept

[kahl]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to say thanks for the outstanding post and repair data base at this site. I looked at this 98 V70 in early November from Craig's list for $1500.00. I have never seen a more neglected car except at a boneyard. The short list was metal to metal on brakes, top radiator fitting cracked off, entire engine compartment covered in a thick mixture of oil and antifreeze, bad axle boots both sides, A/C compressor bypassed, power steering pump groaned,suspension shot, nice pool of antifreeze in cabin, motor easily rocked around, broken steering wheel adjustment handle and exhaust broke off at cat. I won't go in to the curb appeal of exterior and interior. Two good items caught my eye, the AWD looked newer and car only has 166,000 miles. As my wife dragged me away by my man parts I was able to get the VIN.

Being bored and old I ran the VIN and saw that this car has had only two owners. The car was sold in 09 to the current owner at 122,000 miles. Car was always in Columbus. I took the VIN to a friend at the Volvo dealership and found that the car was sold and serviced by them for 11 years. In 08 they put in $3200.00 of new AWD stuff. My read was the car went crashing downhill in the last couple years. Each issue this car has, taken individually was simply Volvo maintenance. I called the owner the week after Thanksgiving. She told me the best offer she got was from a boneyard for $300.00. I offered $310.00 and got the car.

A neighbor's son has a roll back so we picked up the car for beer and ribs plus gas. On the way home stopped at a farm tractor dealer and steamed the engine compartment. Last stop was at a welder's house to repair exhaust.

By watching Richard's videos and CN90's PCV steps I just started in front of car and started removing car stuff. Removing radiator fan and radiator opens up ample room for intake manifold removal. This opens up space to easily remove P/S, alternator and A/C compressor. This makes the oil lines and "O" rings a snap to replace. So basicly full timing belt service with WP, new serpentine pulleys, serviceable A/C compressor installed, rebuilt the alternator, rebuilt power steering pump, full service to PCV system, all new coolant hoses, new cam seals, new rotors and pads, new suspension, heater core, cleaned interior and dyed leather.

I am not a mechanic but I know righty tighty lefty loosely and can research the data base. Following the steps laid out by the writers most maintenance items on these cars can be completed. Thank you all for your contributions!!,

[E Showell]

Nice -- so what's the all-in cost to date?

[kahl]

Tires $400.00
Suspension $500.00
Brakes $320.00 Bosch kit
A/C $125.00 serviceable compressor
Alternator $ 60.00 brush pack
P/S pump. $ 45.00 NAPA pump
PVC system. $110.00 using CN90 system
cap, rotor plugs $ 160.00 wires replaced 08 115K
Axles. $ 120.00 Oreillyes Volvo reman both sides
TB kit. $ 190.00 idler, tensioner, belt and pump
serp belt $125.00
Engine mts. $80.00
Cam seals $ 90.00 front and back Volvo
misc. $ 70.00 stuff like gaskets, solvents and "O" rings

And add in the cost of a divorce if my wife finds out how much I spent. so around $2400.00

[E Showell]

Pretty good score.

[cn90]

I was in similar situation. P.O. spend close to $6,000 in repair at dealer during the last 3 years before he got rid of it...RMS, axles, steering racks etc. The same stuff we see in this forum. He traded it in at Lexus dealer, and before I could look at it, it was sent to auction! I however have the VIN, and finally tracked it down to a local used car dealer, who sold the 1998 S70 GLT with 145K for $2,300 cash.

I spent another $1,700...same stuff you see in forum, front, rear Bilstein, strut mount, strut seat, timing belt, PCV etc. The stuff I wrote many DIYs...

So, for $4,000, I am driving a car equivalent to a $10,000 car. It has 166K now and is still alive and well.

[rspi]

I think it's worth $2,705. It should last 4 years easy.

[abscate]

Easily worth 5000 usd as its Nautic Blue

Nicely done, kahl!

[Ben850]

Very nice.
If you look at my rescues, you have a decent vehicle. Understanding, if you were able to do the wrenching yourself, it would have been monetarily better, but I would not complain.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 35&t=56550

Enjoy your find.

[dosbricks]

OP obviously did wrench it himself.

So, kahl, nice find and nice work! This is the type of story that inspires other old geezers like myself to put $1900 worth of parts on my wife's S70 this past year. That and having access to the great resource of MVS.

Plus 16 years of owning our cars has caused us to get rather attached.

[mecheng]

Nice score, looks clean. Did you keep the original axels?