first car, '98 S70 GLT Topic is solved

[utilityaudio]

Hello everyone,
I purchased my very first car a couple months ago; a '98 S70 with 73k miles, in pretty good condition.
my mechanic checked it out before I bought it, and it's mechanically sound, but there are a few small things that are on my list.

• the shifter knob button, I'll be placing an order with iPd shortly to grab the replacement parts... (might even take some measurements and try to 3D print something a bit more solid)
• I need to use an adhesive/sealant on one of the sunroof seals that came off. I found where it goes, but I just need to tack it in place with some RTV.
• a couple interior panels are a bit loose (Driver's door, underside of Dash on the driver's side), I can probably take care of that myself with velcro if the clips are broken or missing...
• the standoff that holds the Driver's door open on hills, doesn't work. probably needs replaced.
• the switch panel to the left of the steering wheel has pushed into the dash, so I need to figure out how to get behind it and pull it back out, and possibly reinforce the mount if needed.
• Radio antenna doesn't retract, but I hear the motor turning when I turn off the car so I've purchased the replacement and plan on doing that myself, the Robert DIY video is straight forward enough.
• I've also seen a few vids on how to install an Antenna switch, which I'd like to do at some point.
• there's also something a little funny about the drivers side front running-light/indicator light, I think it might be held in place with some industrial Velcro (like the strips from an EZ-pass), I don't want to investigate right now because it works fine, but it's on my radar.

I plan on grabbing a Haynes manual, and gradually checking things off of this list.

anyway, just thought I'd introduce myself and see if anyone has any advice for things to watch out for, or tips for parts and information.

Cheers!

[sleddriver]

Welcome, hello and congrats on your purchase! You were wise to have your own mechanic give it an inspection BEFORE purchasing. Many new owners don't do that and pay the price.

Your first task is to replace the timing belt and the rollers if they haven't already been done. This is a 70k mi. regular service. ONLY use Volvo parts! Second task is to look up "Stage 0" and become familiar. Rubber-related things tend to crack and leak over time and turbo cars are rather sensitive to vacuum leaks. I'd recommend you check all vacuum hoses and elbows for rot and replace with silicone. I also recommend that you run only 100% synthetic oil in a turbo car. Robert's Volvo videos contain lots of useful information to become familiar with. Use the search feature here on MVS and become familiar with the "repair database" as most quesstions have been answered by now since these cars are nearly 20yrs old. Turning your own wrench will not only serve you well, it'll also save you thousands upon thousands of $$$$ with these cars! I know from long experience.

The shifter knob can be removed by pulling straight up. I eased the rough edge with a Moto-tool to prevent it from hanging up.

I'm currently dealing with rust inside the sunroof due to leaking seals. Mine are temp. sealed with hot glue. However, I'll have to remove everything, strip it off and have a good look to repair it right.

Loose drivers door panels can be fixed with either urethane glue, Sonneborn NP1, RTV, etc. The lower driver dash panel I used a LARGE metal spring clip in the middle under the steering wheel and a screw or two on the end of the left side. No glue here as you need to be able to remove it to get up inside the upper dash.

Finding a junk yard in your area with cars of your vintage will save you lots of $$$$$ and give you a look at the innards when taken apart.

[matthew1]

Welcome. Here's Stage 0 page. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/stage-0.html

[Jaguar xjs]

I'd add a couple things to the stage 0 based on my own very recent experiences. I disconnected the battery, negative first. I then chased down every possible ground I could find and cleaned them and treated with de oxit. A Dremel with wire wheels cleaned them up quite nicely. I also disconnected every electrical connection plug and cleaned and treated those also.

These steps won't add 25 hp or significantly improve performance but the small steps of cleaning and treating can help reduce electrical gremlins and help reduce bogus codes.

Gordon

[101]

Welcome! That's a great first car to start with.

On your last two items:
1) The proper antenna switch is no longer available. But a rear fog light switch and pigtail from a junkyard car (you'll have to make up a wiring harness) works just dandy.

2) The turn signal / indicator light housings have plastic tabs that are easily broken, and at this age most are. Both of mine are held in with double sided molding tape. Your call if its worth replacing.

Like the guys said - timing belt, stage 0 and a very careful inspection of all cooling hoses and other rubber bits should be high on your work list. A Volvo motor can be killed in an amazingly short period of time from coolant loss.

[utilityaudio]

Welcome! That's a great first car to start with.

On your last two items:
1) The proper antenna switch is no longer available. But a rear fog light switch and pigtail from a junkyard car (you'll have to make up a wiring harness) works just dandy.

would this part work? http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/produ ... 39328.html
there's no photo of it (just a small drawing), but it's a rear-fog lamp switch without a timer/shutoff and it looks to be the right shape to fit into the switch slots.
website says it's supposed to fit Volvo C70 Convertible '98-04, C70 Coupe '98-02, S70 '98-2k, V70 '98-2k, and V70 XC '98-2k

[101]

^^ yes, that is the switch that I used in my car.

I highly recommend getting the switch / wiring from a junkyard car or posting in the "Want to Buy" section. You'll need not only the switch but also the harness connector and a few inches of the harness wiring to make it work as an antenna down switch. Used rear fog light switches are abundant as all S/V/C70's came with the rear fog light.

And here's the instructions ... https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=36518

I've also done this mod on my collection of BMW E30 cars. An hour or so of effort for any car with a power antenna is definitely worth it in my opinion.

[utilityaudio]

Thanks! that link is great, I was planning on going off of the youtube video's from rspi /RobertDIY but I like having a static set of instructions because I don't always move at the same speed as video instructions.

I don't know where my closes Volvo junk yard is (Though I'm getting the picture that I should probably figure it out sooner rather than later), and I'm fairly handy with electronics (IT Tech / audio engineer), so I'm not totally against making my own wiring harness for this if it comes down to it. they look like blade crimp-on connectors which I already have tools to work with.

one more question for you: is the Antenna effected if I replace the stereo with a non-Volvo unit? (i.e. JVC or Pioneer) I've never replaced a car stereo but I do plan on improving mine (again, audio engineer), as this car doesn't have an Aux in or CD player.

[101]

The antenna will work just fine with a replacement head unit. You'll just connect the antenna trigger wire from the non-Volvo head unit to the correct wire on the car harness (with your new antenna down switch between them, of course)!

How is the rest of the Stage 0 stuff coming?

[utilityaudio]

the only work done so far is an Oil-change & filter (synthetic, by my mechanic), and a strip of velcro to hold the one interior panel in place.
my Haynes manual finally arrived, so I'm reading through that and gathering tools. life is kinda crazy right now with Holidays and work stuff, so it's going much slower than I'd like.