DIY maintenance on 2001 S60 OEM vs. basic?

MattLev · Post by **MattLev** » 27 Feb 2020, 08:18

New to MVS, hoping to learn a lot. All insight is welcome.

Restoring a Volvo 2001 S60.

First up, the alternator.

OEM parts are preferred, but is it better to save $ on a basic alternator?

What's your experience with this choice?

Other looming repairs like brake booster and transmission are gonna cut into my repair budget.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Feb 2020, 08:40

Welcome

How’s your junkyard situation nearby? Is there any Volvo content? You usually find decent stock near Univeristy towns like Norman.

Parts are really high quality on Volvo, so finding relatively new junkyard parts is the cheapest path , by far, trading time for cash

That brake booster is a prime example, but make sure it isn’t just a hose hole.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Feb 2020, 10:31

As above, cheapest is junkyard but you'll need to find out parts recently replaced - and genuine quality ones only.

I have a few videos, some show how to find a recent ignition coil - I recommend carrying two of these in the trunk (with their tools)

Otherwise, we have a few sites online - I think Fcpeuro is popular. All parts are made by subcontractors for Volvo, so find which one did what. Brake booster- ATE, alternator - Bosch. Other good brands, Lemforder, Sachs, INA, Continental, Aisin, Boge, Rein, CRP. But I would look first into the transmission because the 2001 used in good condition are hard to find, and a refurb valve body may not fix all the problems.