Considering purchase of 2008 XC70

[pgill]

I just pulled my thermostat yesterday and found that one of the tabs circled was broken with the spring and cross member sitting in the block... I also received eng temp warning after sitting with AC off for a while then starting to drive.

Nick,

That is great feedback!!!!

Here is the link that convinced me to change my Thermostat

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthrea ... -2009-XC70

I don't know if you still have it apart but if you do, I would recommend that you change the coolant hose and O-ring at the heat exchanger.

The part number can be found in this link. (Note: you can buy the Land Rover part if its cheaper)

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32245.html


Good Luck

Paul

[pgill]

Very interesting, appreciate the details. Simply it's a very poor design with plastic parts exposed to heat that keep the spring under tension. Normally it should have been the actuator that would fail as mentioned above, but since the housing is this fragile, you guys have a much worse problem on hand.

I assume these tabs gave up at close to 10 years age? If so, this part becomes a must be replaced item at no more than 7-8 years old.

Is the thermostat easy to access?

If you click on the link in my previous post (Land Rover Forum) you will see the procedure.

It is very difficult to remove all of the electrical connections for the intake manifold.

It might be possible to do the work without removing the manifold but I can't get my hands in there.


As for the design of the Thermostat; I do wish that Volvo had made the plastic tabs larger so that it wouldn't fail at ~10 years.

Having said that I do appreciate the Engineering that went into the design.


And yes I agree that the Thermostat should be replaced in ~10 year intervals.


If you look at my list above most of the items listed should be done by 10 years; if you want your Volvo to last 20 years.

I've owned my 2008 LR2 since new and I am at 114,000 miles and I expect to get more than 200,000 miles without a major repair.


In case its unclear I really like the Volvo Power-train in my LR2, Volvo reputation for reliability is part of the reason that I bought my LR2.

I am completely satisfied with my purchase.

Take care

Paul

[nickalos]

The black plastic tab breaks off and the spring is no longer under tension
Note: mine broke 5 minutes after removal, another XC70 owner had his break in the same location and he got a temperature warning

Very interesting, appreciate the details. Simply it's a very poor design with plastic parts exposed to heat that keep the spring under tension. Normally it should have been the actuator that would fail as mentioned above, but since the housing is this fragile, you guys have a much worse problem on hand.

I assume these tabs gave up at close to 10 years age? If so, this part becomes a must be replaced item at no more than 7-8 years old.

Is the thermostat easy to access?

I've read somewhere that you can get to the thermostat without removing the intake manifold but I am replacing the fan assembly as well, so I did. If you choose to pull the manifold it's not a complicated task, but getting the manifold out of the way after disconnecting it is quite an ordeal. I'll be posting pics in the cooling fan assembly thread soon, I received an incompatible fan assembly from the Internet so I'm waiting on the correct one to arrive today to finish reassemby.

[mecheng]

What is the better engine the 3.2L Ford or the Volvo whiteblock 2.5L, performance and reliability wise?

What about the transmission?

[mecheng]

Very interesting, appreciate the details. Simply it's a very poor design with plastic parts exposed to heat that keep the spring under tension. Normally it should have been the actuator that would fail as mentioned above, but since the housing is this fragile, you guys have a much worse problem on hand.

I assume these tabs gave up at close to 10 years age? If so, this part becomes a must be replaced item at no more than 7-8 years old.

Is the thermostat easy to access?

If you click on the link in my previous post (Land Rover Forum) you will see the procedure.

It is very difficult to remove all of the electrical connections for the intake manifold.

It might be possible to do the work without removing the manifold but I can't get my hands in there.


As for the design of the Thermostat; I do wish that Volvo had made the plastic tabs larger so that it wouldn't fail at ~10 years.

Having said that I do appreciate the Engineering that went into the design.


And yes I agree that the Thermostat should be replaced in ~10 year intervals.


If you look at my list above most of the items listed should be done by 10 years; if you want your Volvo to last 20 years.

I've owned my 2008 LR2 since new and I am at 114,000 miles and I expect to get more than 200,000 miles without a major repair.


In case its unclear I really like the Volvo Power-train in my LR2, Volvo reputation for reliability is part of the reason that I bought my LR2.

I am completely satisfied with my purchase.

Take care

Paul

Does the car go into limp mode when the thermostat fails and the temp rises or can you drive normally and warp heads/gaskets?
If so, these cars can be risky used cars.

[xHeart]

What is the better engine the 3.2L Ford or the Volvo whiteblock 2.5L, performance and reliability wise?

What about the transmission?

I believe, it is Volvo SI6 (straight-line 6) design -- life after straight-line 5. But with $1000 worth of hoses and clamps.

[pgill]

XHeart,

Looking at your diagram I replaced

1- Thermostat assembly (including gasket, temperature sending unit with its O-ring) $49.47
11 - Screw for Thermostat $2.20 (for 4 screws)
12 - small coolant hose for oil cooler $23.26
26 - O-ring for small coolant hose $0.63
20 - bolt for small coolant hose $0.41
37 - medium sized coolant hose $7.72

For a total of $83.69

All of the parts are original Land Rover parts, no aftermarket low quality parts

At the same time I bought the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulley.
The shipping cost was $24 for everything.

Shipping would have been less if I only bought the items listed above.

For ~ $100 the cost of the parts shipped to my door is not significant.

The cost of the Labor to do this job would be several hundred dollars.

For me $100 every 10 years is not a significant part of the cost of ownership of the vehicle

Good Luck

Paul

[xHeart]

Revised diagram.
Paul, please update your checklist.

[pgill]

Xheart,

For the thermostat you need to buy the assembly #1 in you diagram

#1 includes 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

The part that breaks is actually #8 but I can’t find a source just for the plastic housing, let me know if you find one

The part numbers from above are accurate
1- Thermostat assembly (including gasket, temperature sending unit with its O-ring) $49.47
11 - Screw for Thermostat $2.20 (for 4 screws)
12 - small coolant hose for oil cooler $23.26
26 - O-ring for small coolant hose $0.63
20 - bolt for small coolant hose $0.41
37 - medium sized coolant hose $7.72

Let me know if you want to buy the Land Rover parts, I have the correct part number for all of the items listed

Also I updated the list of common items for high mileage 3.2's

Thermostat is --> A) Thermostat – replaced mine at 10 years (also replaced two coolant hoses)

Updated list.........

High Mileage Maintenance items for 3.2
1. Serpentine belt, tensioner, idler - replaced mine at 113,000 miles/10 years
2. Brake fluid flushed (every 3 years) Volvo recommendation?
3. Coolant replaced (failure is oil or ATF heat exchanger internal leaks)
4. Rear differential oil change (every 50,000 miles) – I added a magnetic drain plug (LR2 and S80 V8 seem to be more susceptible to pinion bearing failure due to lack of maintenance)
5. ATF fluid flushed - search for Gibbons method (note: I used the modified Gibbons method)
6. Power steering fluid and reservoir replaced due to noisy heavy steering
7. Spark Plugs - replaced mine twice (every 50,000 miles, Volvo recommends 75,000 miles)
8. BOT Gear oil for power Transfer unit (for mine I drilled a drain hole)
9. Battery – every 4 to 8 years (Low voltage while starting causes electrical gremlins on LR2)
10. O-Rings for Vacuum pump (~10 years or sooner if the leak is large)
11. Haldex fluid and filter - I used genuine Volvo parts for this (it was cheaper than Land Rover)

Typical repairs for high mileage 3.2
A) Thermostat – replaced mine at 10 years (also replaced two coolant hoses)
B) Fuel pressure sending unit
C) PCV valve – replaced mine at 113,000 miles
D) Engine mounts
E) AC Compressor clutch pack
F) Ignition coils (Some evidence that a failed Thermostat leads to overheating and premature Coil failure)
G) Radiator Fan

Less common repairs
I. Starter motor - typically fails at 100,000 miles or 10 years (not common on XC70)
II. Blower Resistor (not common on XC70)
III. Front Brake calipers refurbished (only if your aggressive with the brakes)
IV. Loose bolt on alternator pulley
V. Overdrive clutch pulley Alternator
VI. Overdrive clutch pulley READ drive

Good Luck

Paul