Preventive Maintenance

[cmill099]

I have a 1998 V70, and until recently wandering around on this site, I guess I haven't appreciated my car as much as I should. I had a coolant leak a few weeks ago, and after just putting in more coolant in all the time, I decided to find a fix the problem. I solved the problem and now my car is running amazingly. It currently has 158k miles, I have had it for 3 years now, and I want to have it for a long time to come.

Solving the coolant leak has made me want to fix or do preventive maintenance on it more now to prolong its life. So I'm wondering what some easy/moderate level maintenance would be a good idea for a 1998 V70. Any ideas will help, and I will do research and see if I can do it myself. Thank you for any responses!

[misha]

If there is nothing wrong with the car,what you would want to fix?!

[850 LPT]

Welcome to the site!

These are some of the vital things you should consider, although I'm not sure if this is easy/ moderate though:

First and foremost, make sure your timing belt and components are up to snuff. You should have had the second one done at 140k since the interval for your car is 70k. If it wasn't done yet, it is time. Since this would be the second time, the water pump should be replaced at this time as well. Only use OEM quality components for this. This is not the place to skimp.

Make sure your PCV system is free and clear. Search for the "glove test". If it is plugged it needs to be replaced/ cleaned asap, as this can wreak havoc on your engine if not addressed. There is a ton of good info around here, just search.

I'm assuming your car is automatic? If so, check your fluid. There may be different opinions out there, but I flush these every 30k to keep the fluid nice and fresh. It's easy to do and will ensure that your tranny lasts a very long time.
If your fluid is old and dirty you may want to do a couple of "drain and fills" before you do the flush. Again, there is good info on this site on this.

You said that you addressed a coolant leak already, but make sure that ALL the hoses are in good shape. If not, replace them.

If you feel adventurous, you can inspect/ replace the rubber hoses for the EVAP system as they are getting old and briddle. Same goes for all the various vacuum hoses.

Happy motoring,

Dirk

[oragex]

+1 as above post: check the PCV, brake flexible at front wheels, fuel filter, google up air thermostat if the engine is non turbo

[theWIFES_S70]

Also, look up the posts here on getting your car to Stage 0.

[abscate]

If there is nothing wrong with the car,what you would want to fix?!

See thread title



OP - welcome - have a look at 'Stage Zero" to get an idea of what the wear parts are on your car.

The endpoints of the continuum of running a car are...

Repair on Fail - Drive the car following manufacturers recommendations on all service/wear items - when unscheduled things come up, you repair them. This is cheapest, but your savings in money are eroded by tow costs, down time, overlap of labor, and sometimes added expense due to damage. If SWMBO drives the car, this is ill-advised.
You drive the car until P0304 appears one day. After troubleshooting, you buy one coil,. walk to work for a week, replace number 3 a week later because you didn't read the thread that they often fail in pairs.

Maintain to Reliability - You replace stuff as it approaches end of life. The goal here is to have failures in the garage, not on the road. Example here - at 100k, on a coil on plug car, you put all new coils in, keep one spare.

[850 LPT]

Great advice, abscate!

However, since he owns a 98, there is only one coil to worry about. And they rarely fail

[cmill099]

Thank you guys so much! I bought the car off of a relative who used to be a Volvo mechanic, and he finds them, fixes them, and sells them now. So my next step is to call him and see what kind of work he did before I got it.

I do have squeaky breaks sometimes, and I have not changed the break pads or rotors since I've had it, so that will probably be on my agenda soon. I will take a look at "Stage Zero" and figure out whats next.

I also found a PnP near me that has a 2000 volvo V70. I figured I could get some cosmetic bits from this if it is compatible. I know the forum title is volvos (1992-2000), so I'm assuming yes?

I have also heard much about the PCV system "glove test" which I will be doing today. If this needs attention, how extensive is this repair? I live in an apartment complex, and I can get under the hood, and under the car (but not with much clearance), but nothing more. Also limited tools, so any good tool kits to invest in would be nice to know.

Thanks again!

[rspi]

[cn90]

Maintaining an old car is "an art", simply because the value is so low (such as $1,000-$3,000 etc.), so in the event of a theft, car accident etc., all you get is insurance value, which is $1,000-$3,000 etc.

There are basically 2 kinds of extreme approaches: people who neglect the car (only put gasoline in and drive until the car develops issues) and people who are very meticulous about maintenance.

I used to be a very meticulous person and did a lot of car work, but as I get older and have seen how the insurance people deal with cars after an accident, I am now somewhere "in between", i.e., I am not crazy about every nicks and dents on the body, instead I only focus on "functional issues" such as:
- Spark plugs, Bougicord, cap/rotor
- Changing coolant every ___ years/miles.
- Fixing all oil leaks etc.
- Brake work.
- Suspension work.

Basically things that make the car run well.

The bottom line is:
- Find what makes you happy (don't be an*l and paranoid!).
- Be reasonable, it is just a car, not a Stradivarius violin.
- Search forum for brand, yes brand matters when it comes to certain parts such as ignition wire, it should be Bougicord only etc.

Tons of info in forum!