Looking at 2004 S60 at Excellent Price - What to Look For?

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 21 Dec 2015, 11:34

Friend's neighbor is selling her deceased dad's 2004 S60 at an excellent price, just wants it gone.
I have not looked at it yet and am wondering what I should look for when I test drive it.
I don't know much about it, not even the mileage at this point.

Any recalls or known failure points?

Do 2004s have issues with the TB?

Post by **abscate** » 21 Dec 2015, 12:44

Much less about the model and year, much more about how it was maintained.

TB are 10 year, 105k miles replacement items. so it is either done or overdue.

JNavas · Post by **JNavas** » 21 Dec 2015, 17:42

PeteB wrote:Friend's neighbor is selling her deceased dad's 2004 S60 at an excellent price, just wants it gone.
I have not looked at it yet and am wondering what I should look for when I test drive it.
I don't know much about it, not even the mileage at this point.
Any recalls or known failure points?
Do 2004s have issues with the TB?

Check:

CARFAX
Service records
Timing belt (probably needs it)
Transmission shifting
AC temperature drop
Computer codes
Suspension (struts, mounts, bushings, etc)
Brakes
Tires

I strongly recommend paying an independent Volvo garage/mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection.
I would generally assume it will need at least $1,000 worth of overdue maintenance.
I've put more than that into the clean 2008 I just purchased (tires, brakes, fluids, bulbs, etc).

Post by **E Showell** » 21 Dec 2015, 19:00

I think the "TB" reference here it to throttle body and not timing belt.

Post by **oragex** » 22 Dec 2015, 04:18

No issues with the throttle body from 2003 on. If you trust that person, and the car was indeed driven by an old person who had it repaired at a Volvo dealer, this might be the best car condition you will find. Drive it for a good 30 minutes and check how transmission is up-shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Also turn the wheels to full lock then look at the front control arm bushing if it looks crushed. If the suspension feels harsh over street imperfections, the shocks and struts might be shot. By all means do the glove test (Youtube) for the PCV valve. A very easy check to see if the car was gently driven, look at the engine mount located on top of the engine see if the rubber is cracked at the bottom and at the top.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Dec 2015, 08:01

Yes I was asking about the throttle body and good to know that 2003 on do not have
the problem.
Thanks orangex, all great info.
We don't want it if it needs a transmission or if the engine is about to fail.
I'll give the transmission fluid a look and sniff, and see how it shifts.

I don't mind doing the PCV, brakes, ABS, etc. myself, hope it is easier than the 850, or
is it the same engine essentially?
I'll have an independent do the timing belt and any difficult suspension work if it is due.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Dec 2015, 02:50

E Showell wrote:I think the "TB" reference here it to throttle body and not timing belt.

That's why you make the big bucks.

Happy Holidays, Evan.

Post by **oragex** » 24 Dec 2015, 18:10

A timing belt is (much) easier than a PCV on this engine, given the crank pulley doesn't need to be removed, the new belt will slip on tight but doable. The whole idea is not to move the cam pulleys when the belt is off - I just kept my hands away from the two pulleys - and to set the tensioner properly. The water pump is done only at the second timing belt. A PCV is a so-so job, seems it's trickier on a turbo motor compared with the non turbo one but for both it shouldn't be much different than the 850. The S60 had a weird thermostat assembly sold for about $100 (x2 at the dealer) that would make the perfect moment to check/replace when removing the intake manifold for the PCV box. These thermostats all seem to fail after about 10 years.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 27 Dec 2015, 12:34

I've been looking at the writeups to do the timing belt and I agree it doesn't look too bad.
Our 850 is due so we'll probably do it in the Spring.
Didn't know that about the S60 Thermostat will certainly do it if we get the car.
They mentioned a problem with the title and I'm guessing that they are waiting
for probate.
Thanks again for the tips!