May go take a look at a post 99 P80

Post by **E Showell** » 23 Oct 2017, 20:00

Non-turbo, base model, auto trans. Owner says low on coolant and overheated, but he did not mention actually witnessing or being present for an overheat. I suspect perhaps a bad coolant expansion tank cap, or a water pump weep.

Owner says it drove perfectly, then one day seemed to have no power; stalled, started and drove again for 10 min. stalled again. Drove for another 10 min., pulled into driveway where it stayed and hasn't started again.

I have no idea whether CEL is on, or if so, what codes being displayed.

I am thinking maybe bad fuel pump relay or ECT since it won't start.

Timing belt changed at 70 K, now has less than 160 K.

Supposedly good compression in all five cylinders. Any ideas on what to scope out aside from usual fuel, spark, compression?

Post by **scot850** » 23 Oct 2017, 22:52

So the owner never noticed it was overheating?

If it has overheated maybe it is suffering from the infamous lawnmower syndrome? If it got hot it may have glazed the cylinder bores.

Otherwise check the obvious stuff you are mentioning. Being a 99 with coil packs if they got to hot they may have gone bad as may the wiring to the coil packs.

You may also want to check the timing is good and that the overheating as not affected the CVVT.

Neil.

Post by **E Showell** » 24 Oct 2017, 03:10

Owner said shop claims low coolant and overheat.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2017, 03:42

Well, if it's driveable you can evaluate transmission and drivetrain , and the rest of the $1000 gotchas from deferred maintenance. I guess the price would have to be a few hundred dollars to make sense as a fixer

I use my labor rate of 20-25 an hour to calculate ROI, unless I'm working with a kid in which case it's priceless

Post by **E Showell** » 24 Oct 2017, 04:33

Only driveable if I can start it.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2017, 04:42

Ah, yes. So bring fresh battery, and pull plugs and do compression first ...you've got a gauge, right?

If you've got coolant/oil on the plugs, it's a scrap value car.

Post by **E Showell** » 24 Oct 2017, 05:34

Post by **precopster** » 24 Oct 2017, 06:05

Remember it's a 5 speed auto on 2000 P80 NAs so look out for maintenance history on that one or it could be a jerky ride.

Post by **Clemens** » 24 Oct 2017, 07:29

Resist her charms. If the car is not in really nice shape, walk away. No, better, RUN AWAY! Neglected Volvos should be left like that.
Especially the base and non turbo models. Just not worth it.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Oct 2017, 08:13

If it is a 99 it should be a 4 speed auto, 5 speed auto only in 2000 MY (I have one). I have to disagree on the base/non-turbo are not worth saving. They are cheaper to maintain and less to go wrong. My 2000 base SE is nice to drive. No road burner, but better economy and I do most of my driving in the city so it is fine for that too. It also drives nicely on the highway. But I do agree with the neglected car is the one to avoid. I have bought 4 of them and 3 have cost way more than they will ever be worth to bring back to the level I am happy with with a stage 0.

Neil.