Took 2000 V70R to Europe and Im going nuts over here

[Reesie]

Hi.

So...

We have a 2000 V70R AWD Turbo. Its got about 64000 miles on it right now. Bought it new in Texas. In 2001 it had a low speed (turning into shoppin center) accident and up on the curb. Front tire was actually horizontal. Volvo fixed it, said not to expect any problems due to it.

Killed the turbo charger few months later, cause I didnt realize you had to let the car idle a few minutes after hard driving. Ok. Im stupid. But Id also only just learned to drive a few months before..so thats my excuse! It was replaced.

Filled the car up once with the car running- some leak in the tank occured and had to be fixed. Never did that again.

These were all the problems we'd had.

Moved to Europe 01/2003- car already met EU standards so we didnt have any problems getting it registered. (We had the car serviced for 60k before leaving- but the car was really only at 50 something)

Since then:

Had car serviced at 62k in 12/2003 before driving 1100 miles round trip. No problems on the trip. A few days later took 110 mile drive into the mountains and the ETS light came on during the return trip as it was snowing and the car dropped to 5 mph. Check engine light was also on. Shut car off to reboot computer. Turned back on, still had same problem. Drove for 1/2 hour, tried again. This time the speed was almost normal but there was a mild shaking.

Took the car in next day. They told me it was a butterfly valve. They also told me that this is a common thing to break in the 2000 V70. Nice. Cost me 1000USD, thanks to the stupid taxes they have in this country.

Then drove about 220miles 1 and 1/2 month later (through snow again) and as we re-entered this country the car DIED, thankfully across from the only gas station for 50 miles. It seems this time some tube came loose and they fixed it in 20 minutes for free.

Now im extremely paranoid to drive it. I cant relax at all- constantly waiting for a problem. We drive it maybe once a week, sometimes once every 2 weeks and only for about 40 minutes total. To the store and back- thats it.

Went on vacation this week and drove about 200 miles in some snow againa and there didnt seem to be any problems.

And then Tonight, the check engine light came on. My husband says its driving ok. The gas tank lid is tight. I didnt put gas in when the car was running. The octane was the highest and most expensive they sell here, and was what Volvo told us to use.

Now I have to take the stupid car in tomorrow again. I swear I dont understand why every time we drive the car for more than 100 miles it had a problem. How can that be???

They have SOME cobblestone roads here and I was wondering it that could be affecting my car? I see people flying over them- we are so careful. This car has been so well maintained as far as servicing- never late and ALWAYS to vovlo dealer service dept. Even here.

Is our made differently than the EU cars, in respect to its handling over cobblestones and tram tracks?

I would love to hear someone tell me its not just our bad luck. I mean, 4 years old now- 64k. It should be handling better than this, shouldnt it?

End rant.

Thanks!

[matthew1]

I wish I could give you specific instructions on how to make your problems go away, or give you an estimate of how much everything is going to cost... but you know it's impossible. You just may have a bad sample. It's not what you or anyone wants to hear, but you can always sell it.

You don't seem extremely angry or 'at the end of your rope' with this, and that's good. A few people have posted here with equally bad stories, but worse attitudes. I don't know what to tell them except 'it's a car.' Sell it if it makes your life bad.

For your part, you are doing the right things. You're putting good fuel in it. You're getting it serviced regularly -- even early. Nobody does that... you're ahead of the curve. Don't blame yourself.

Maybe look in the engine bay for frayed or cracked vacuum hoses -- small white hoses that run here and there. They can trigger warning lights if they crack. Check back at this forum for others with your same issues -- arm yourself with knowledge.

Let us know how it goes over there .

[bossvt]

You've certainly had an unfortunate number of problems.

Our check engine light comes on rather often as well. I've gotten to the point that I ignore it. It's basically caused by any little deviation in the emissions. It goes off after 3 cycles of using the car. Seems like sneezing can cause it to come on!