2000 S70 Compression test question

jmorman · Post by **jmorman** » 10 Mar 2019, 19:41

I bought an S70 a year ago for 900.00 for my son and it became mine (long story). Found Robert’s Youtube videos the day I brought it home and by the end first week had made two trips to Pull-A-Part and replaced both front seats and lot of other interior parts. I’ve done 70% of the mechanical work and she’s been my daily driver, now doing at least 400 miles a week with only one breakdown. She’s got 243,xxx and shows no signs of stopping.

My nephew is coming Tuesday and we are installing a RIP kit, boost gauge, and replacing spark plugs, and turbo lines as they appear to be the source of my slow leaks. I would have access to a compression gauge and I wondered if it would be worth the time to compression test. Even though the car shows no signs of issues, would it be good to get a baseline? Or is there another more important thing to do while I have things tore apart?

James

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 10 Mar 2019, 20:05

Compression test isn't going to hurt anything. If it were me, I'd go ahead and do it.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 10 Mar 2019, 20:06

with that many miles you should just enjoy it in stock form and fix all the old rubber that keeps the coolant in and the cams moving. If it runs well I'm sure the compression is fine, but if you flash it for more boost you will start blowing oil out as there must be some blow by. nothing wrong with the rip kit but it won't make any difference unless you were boosting it and all the other mods like exhaust. Ide use the money for brakes and struts. buy a lower miles one to mod. Know the feeling though.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Mar 2019, 21:36

Compression test is free and takes just a few minutes, I'd definitely do it if you never have.

Like you said, get a baseline. If you see low compression then don't dump a lot of money into this engine.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Mar 2019, 03:36

Throttle bodies last about 150k on these cars are up are probably 1/2 through life on the second one. It’s about $600 for body plus software

If you are doing the plugs , compression test is almost free in time, but remember order.

Fresh full charged battery

Remove plugs , lube, reinstall firm but not tight

Idle engine To warm it up.

Now remove all plugs for compression test. Throttle fully open. 5-6/full cranks

Have oil ready for wet test in case you get a marginal cylinder

...and welcome To the elite club of “ the bastards”, 1999-2000 model years

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78795

jmorman · Post by **jmorman** » 12 Mar 2019, 19:42

Update:

These things never go as planned. I ended up working alone. Got the RIP kit on. That was a real task. Had to remove the battery and tray, transmission dipstick, radiator hose, and move a transmission coolant line to get the lower pipe situated. So this involves draining coolant. The kit came from IPD and was fit perfect once you got it all arranged. The end result was worth it. Definitely feels peppier. Is it worth 350? It’s not a necessity but I like it.
Never got to compression test but I did change the spark plugs. It had four Volvo plugs that came out hard and one autolite plug exactly like what I replaced them with. They were gapped at almost .050. They were dry and white. A good sign I hope.

I’m just happy I can drive her to work tomorrow.

I appreciate all the help here.

James

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 13 Mar 2019, 05:38

Love my RIP kit as well - got the do88 one at about the same price, and had a bit of the same experience as you. Managed to avoid moving all that stuff and pulling hoses by shaving off the hose into the throttlebody, making for better clearance for the transmission cooler hose(s). That said, my battery tray was already turned sideways, so I have a lot of room to work with, so that lower clearance was the only issue.

- S