2003 s60 awd considering purchase, things to consider...

mrscullini · Post by **mrscullini** » 02 Jan 2015, 07:00

found what appears to be a clean car. this will be to replace my recently departed 2000 v70xc. anything special to be concerned about on this model? i assume the same trusty 5 cylinder. was the awd updated by this model year?

Post by **vtl** » 02 Jan 2015, 07:34

Engine may be even better (what year they replaced 2.4 by 2.5?), check if clogged PCV causes leaks through seals. AWD is Haldex-based, may have problems with bevel gear and pump. Our beloved AW55 transmission can be a problem as well.

mrscullini · Post by **mrscullini** » 02 Jan 2015, 07:36

vtl wrote:Engine may be even better (what year they replaced 2.4 by 2.5?), check if clogged PCV causes leaks through seals. AWD is Haldex-based, may have problems with bevel gear and pump. Our beloved AW55 transmission can be a problem as well.

thanks vtl. i think it is the 2.5 litre. anyway to do a cursory check on the bevel gear?

Post by **vtl** » 02 Jan 2015, 07:48

mrscullini wrote:anyway to do a cursory check on the bevel gear?

Check if AWD is working at all: collar sleeve may be stripped. Bevel gear is often leaking, you'll need to split it and reseal, there's tech.note from Volvo how to do that. Check the play in pinion bearings on driveshaft side (try to move driveshaft up-down near bevel gear). Also the driveshaft itself may have dry CV bearing ($300 in parts) and dry carrier bearing (new driveshaft...).

All fluids need to be changed ASAP, of course: bevel gear, rear diff, Haldex. Haldex also has two filters, one of them is sort of replaceable.

Post by **oragex** » 02 Jan 2015, 13:57

2002-2003 also had the dim issue, hopefully the owner did fix it already

check warm transmission under hard acceleration for smooth 2nd to 3rd gear shifting

look into the service papers see if the pcv was replaced

Post by **precopster** » 02 Jan 2015, 14:32

S60 AWD was the first to receive Haldex in 2002 before the XC70s were bestowed in 2003.

mrscullini · Post by **mrscullini** » 02 Jan 2015, 17:46

thanks guys. i've been on the hunt for a car since my beloved v70xc died. don't really want to crack the $10k mark. i appreciate all the insight. gonna post on a 2008 i found, please feel free to chime in.

thanks again!

mrscullini · Post by **mrscullini** » 10 Jan 2015, 08:04

oragex wrote:2002-2003 also had the dim issue, hopefully the owner did fix it already

check warm transmission under hard acceleration for smooth 2nd to 3rd gear shifting

look into the service papers see if the pcv was replaced

the 2008 s60 i was hunting fell through. looking at an '03 again. what's the "dim issue"?