Buyers guide

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 10 Nov 2016, 09:16

Looking at a 1998 AWD xc70 tonight for $1,000. I've never owned an AWD vehicle before. Aside from the timing belt, oil leaks, shifting, PCV, and any obvious stuff is there anything in particular with the AWD's I should be looking hard at? I was looking aroud the site for info but couldn't nail it down so I figured I can look again on the site after I post this in hopes someone would answer before 1430 today.
I know this is short notice but I just called about it. New listing.

Thanks for any and all advice.

John

Post by **850 LPT** » 10 Nov 2016, 11:05

First thing I would do is check if the driveshaft for the AWD is still in place. This might be hard to do if you don't have access to a lift, since it is really tucked in there. You may be able to lift one side of the car and take a look.

If it's out of car you can be pretty sure that either the angle gear or the VC or both are in need of replacing or rebuilding. If you are lucky the driveshaft itself was the only bad part, but it's hard to know without real troubleshooting.

If it is installed you will want to listen for any unusual clunks while driving. Vibrations can generate from a variety of things and may not generate from AWD components, so that's not a good indicator for the health of the AWD. From what I heard is that VC's can loose their silicone fluid which you may be able to see, and it means they are toast. You can check if the angle gear is leaking which means trouble as well.

The AWD systems on these cars are fragile, so don't get your hopes up. Even if everything is working as it should right now, you need to prepare for spending serious money in the future if you want to keep it going. A lot of people just take the driveshaft out and use the car in FWD mode.

I hope things check out for you.

Dirk

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Nov 2016, 11:15

Good advice ^ from Dirk.

... found via crossing Volvo Buyer's Guide category with XC70 category on the Powersearch page.

Let us know how it goes.

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 14 Nov 2016, 05:09

Thans for the advice.
Drive shaft is there. The seller stated an angle gear was replaced. Some leak underneath, There is an exhaust leak right after the CAT and the ABS light is on. I think the best advice I saw other then the post by Dirk is to have the car looked at by a local garage. Doesn't appear to be in bad shape. I may be able to pick it up for about $600-700.

Thanks John

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2016, 07:25

Good luck John.

You could have $2000 of work to make it a daily driver so be ready for that on budget. That's worst case.

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 14 Nov 2016, 14:56

You're right. $2000. I offered him $750 he said ok now he tells me he has a guy
coming tomorrow. I got a line into a local garage who's going to do an inspection for me.
So maybe I'll get a good look underneath plus a good safety inspection anyway. We'll see now what he wants to do.
If I'm meant to have it I'll get it, if not no big deal. I got my 99 running like a champ.

As always,thanks for your help
John
And thanks for the links Matt.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2016, 15:00

No problem John. Keep a healthy bit of skepticism in your pocket and you'll do fine.

(IMHO I'm not too hot on this deal. Seller backs out of a deal, and the hood won't go up. "Hmm", even at $750.)

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 15 Nov 2016, 03:08

I have to careful when talking with sellers because for some reason they like uninformed buyers. I sometimes may look like I know too much even though
I'm just a novice and learning.
I may let this one go, although, he never accepted the $750 so in my mind there is still room for negotiation. I may offer my a $100 over junk yard price. Like maybe 4-$500. All he can say is no right. It's not like I need it. Make it a summer project. If he didn't sell it. I'll start picking at every little detail. lol

thanks john

Post by **abscate** » 15 Nov 2016, 17:12

Take 500 USD off the price for each 'guy' who looks and doesn't buy.