$10,000 S80 Challenge Topic is solved

[pgill]

MVS readers

The S80 is amazing. Heated seats in the front and back. Extremely reliable and dependable.
I don't get to drive it that much (My Son drives it every day to work)
I do get to fix it (But I haven't been doing much of that because it just keeps going)



Cost update 2/26/2020

$7400 --- Purchase price
$62.53 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$40.35 --- (DENSO 5344) --- Sparkplugs
$00.00 --- Filter housing
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$58.28 --- (LR006071) --- Thermostat
$00.66 --- (LR001505) O-ring for 30713530
$24.29 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$23.99 --- (31439821) --- Coolant
$22.71 --- (14520, 14526) --- Michelin wipers
$68.85 --- (31272677) --- Oil Filter housing
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Idler pulley
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Tensioner Pulley
$08.97 --- (PK060473 CONTITECH) --- Aux Belt
$112.70 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$20.95 --- (31390880) --- Cabin Air Filter
$15.76 --- (UD1306) --- Front Brake Pads (Amazon close out price, typical price is ~$75)
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$523.23 --- AC repair
$43.37 --- Overdrive pulley ProParts Sweden 28436803
$52.39 --- (Motul x-clean 5W-40, Oil and Filter)
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$200 ---- Zephyrus Wheels
$430 --- Nokian ZLINE A/S All- Season Radial Tire-235/45R18 98W
$60 ---- Mounting and balancing
$38.67 ---- CONTIMODKIT TPMS Service Kit

Total $9450


Remaining budget $550

I am getting close to my $10,000 budget

But if I keep the S80 for 10 years and my cost is $11,000 and I sell the car for $1,000 then I will consider that close enough.

Thanks

Paul

[pgill]

Pennzoil Euro 5w40 has been best in my situation of 8,000 miles annual oil and filter change each car. This winter will be my 4th -- oil level is stable where it use to loose a quart and more during the 6th month oil change cycle.

XHeart,

The low oil message came on today.

It’s been a little over 3 months and it was down about 1 quart.

My next change will be to Pennzoil Euro (Gas to liquid)

Thanks for the suggestion

Note: I am using Pennzoil Euro in my Audi 2.0T and the engine is very smooth

Take care

Paul

[pgill]

MVS Readers,

I was occasionally getting a code on the S80 related to the PremAir sensor on the radiator.

https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-u ... eases/2310

Because the car wasn't being driven I decided to replace the sensor.

How hard could it be? (keep reading to find the answer)

While removing the old sensor I broke the radiator.

The positive aspect (Silver lining if you prefer): I don't have to worry about the Radiator or the sensor for the next 10 years or so.

Removing the Radiator and disconnecting it from the AC condenser and the power steering cooler was significantly more difficult than I thought it would be. I managed to get it done by breaking the plastic clips on the old radiator which released the AC condenser. But I still needed to remove the bracket for the power steering.

In retrospective I suspect that the correct way to do it is to remove the gas from the AC and the Fluid from the power steering and then disconnect the lines and remove everything as a unit.

Unfortunately this assembly wasn't designed to be easily serviceable.

Having said that everything else that I've done on this S80 has been reasonable to remove and replace.


Because I was in there and I had to remove the radiator fan I decided to replace the Fan.

To save some money I bought a Fan from VDO / Siemens.

I must admit I was a little disappointed that the large fan rubbed a little on the shroud, to fix this I shimmed the fan motor by 1 mm on two of the three mounting bolts. This did fix the misalignment. And the Fan runs fine. The AC is very cold.

For the geometrically minded the change was about 1 mm over a 100 mm distance, which is about 1.5 degrees. (the misalignment wasn't severe, but the rubbing noise would have bothered me)


We drove the S80 over 100 miles for the holiday weekend and it was flawless.

This car is really nice, even if it is a bit demanding once in a while.

Thanks

Paul

[jimmy57]

The heat exchanger stacking business is frustrating on many late model cars and trucks when it is time for replacement. The order that the radiator and its buddies goes into these vehicles is FAR from how it comes apart for service.

[pgill]

Jimmy,

I completely agree.

The radiator bundle was designed to be easy to install as the vehicle was being built not to be serviced after.


If I am remembering correctly I think it was you that mentioned a Turbo bolt or nut on the 3.0T and the vehicle was essentially built around that bolt.

I am starting to think that the same engineer was responsible for the radiator bundle.

Take care

Paul

[pgill]

$7400 --- Purchase price
$62.53 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$40.35 --- (DENSO 5344) --- Sparkplugs
$00.00 --- Filter housing
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$58.28 --- (LR006071) --- Thermostat
$00.66 --- (LR001505) O-ring for 30713530
$24.29 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$23.99 --- (31439821) --- Coolant
$22.71 --- (14520, 14526) --- Michelin wipers
$68.85 --- (31272677) --- Oil Filter housing
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Idler pulley
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Tensioner Pulley
$08.97 --- (PK060473 CONTITECH) --- Aux Belt
$112.70 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$20.95 --- (31390880) --- Cabin Air Filter
$15.76 --- (UD1306) --- Front Brake Pads (Amazon close out price, typical price is ~$75)
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$523.23 --- AC repair
$43.37 --- Overdrive pulley ProParts Sweden 28436803
$52.39 --- (Motul x-clean 5W-40, Oil and Filter)
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$200 ---- Zephyrus Wheels
$430 --- Nokian ZLINE A/S All- Season Radial Tire-235/45R18 98W
$60 ---- Mounting and balancing
$38.67 ---- CONTIMODKIT TPMS Service Kit
$323 ---- Radiator (Prem Air type)
$281 --- Radiator Fan (Siemens / VDO)
$40 --- Coolant


Total $10,094

That puts me over my 10,000 dollar goal

[pgill]

MVS,

Here is what I would do differently if I was to try this challenge again on a different P3 Volvo


Purchase price ... Look for a lower priced P3 to allow for more budget for maintenance and repairs

To keep cost down, I selected a front wheel drive, non Turbo charged vehicle and I would do that again


Unavoidable Maintenance items
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$40.35 --- (DENSO 5344) --- Sparkplugs
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$58.28 --- (LR006071) --- Thermostat
$00.66 --- (LR001505) O-ring for 30713530
$24.29 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$23.99 --- (31439821) --- Coolant
$22.71 --- (14520, 14526) --- Michelin wipers
$68.85 --- (31272677) --- Oil Filter housing
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Idler pulley
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Tensioner Pulley
$08.97 --- (PK060473 CONTITECH) --- Aux Belt
$20.95 --- (31390880) --- Cabin Air Filter
$15.76 --- (UD1306) --- Front Brake Pads (Amazon close out price, typical price is ~$75)
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$43.37 --- Overdrive pulley ProParts Sweden 28436803
$52.39 --- (Motul x-clean 5W-40, Oil and Filter)
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF

Sub total: $554.07

The only way to avoid these cost is to buy a P3 that already has the Aux belt service done (which would avoid most of the cost listed)

Top tip: with the engine off you should be able to move the Aux belt easily in one direction if you can't then the Overdrive pulley is broken and it needs to be replaced

Avoidable cost
$62.53 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$112.70 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$523.23 --- AC repair
$323 ---- Radiator (Prem Air type)
$281 --- Radiator Fan (Siemens / VDO)
$40 --- Coolant

Sub total: $1365.7

When bought the S80 I knew the Brake booster O-rings and Torque mount were broken. And I could have easily checked the AC with a $20 vent thermostat from Amazon (I own one now). And for the Radiator the Prem Air style can be easily identified by looking at it (I believe that not all P3's use this Prem Air style radiator). As for the Fan, I could have waited for it to fail but it is likely that it would have failed at some point in 10 years of ownership

Customization cost
$200 ---- Zephyrus Wheels
$430 --- Nokian ZLINE A/S All- Season Radial Tire-235/45R18 98W
$60 ---- Mounting and balancing
$38.67 ---- CONTIMODKIT TPMS Service Kit

Sub total: $728.67

This one is obvious, just buy a vehicle with good tires and don't change the wheels.


Summary

I failed to stay under my $10,000 limit. But if I was a little more selective with my purchase I do believe that the $10,000 limit is achievable. In fact with a carefully selected vehicle the goal could probably be met even if you have a mechanic doing the maintenance work for you.

I still believe that the S80 (or V70 or XC70 or XC60) is the safest most reliable vehicle that you can own for $10,000

Take care

Paul

[xHeart]

Good stuff Paul.
I would not include fluids since it is outside of the cost of equipment in generally acceptable accounting.

[pgill]

Xheart,

I like the way you are thinking about this

The purpose of the challenge is to compare the cost of a well maintained P3 vs a new car and a new car would still require regular Oil and filter changes.

Excluded items (normal maintenance for any gasoline powered car)

$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$23.99 --- (31439821) --- Coolant
$20.95 --- (31390880) --- Cabin Air Filter
$51.47 --- (Mobil 1 0W-40, Oil and Filter)
$52.39 --- (Motul x-clean 5W-40, Oil and Filter)
$16.36 --- (AISIN T-IV) --- ATF
$40 --- Coolant
$22.71 --- (14520, 14526) --- Michelin wipers

Subtotal: $275


Total cost (excluding fluids and filters)

$7400 --- Purchase price
$62.53 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$40.35 --- (DENSO 5344) --- Sparkplugs
$58.28 --- (LR006071) --- Thermostat
$00.66 --- (LR001505) O-ring for 30713530
$24.29 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$68.85 --- (31272677) --- Oil Filter housing
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Idler pulley
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Tensioner Pulley
$08.97 --- (PK060473 CONTITECH) --- Aux Belt
$112.70 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$15.76 --- (UD1306) --- Front Brake Pads (Amazon close out price, typical price is ~$75)
$523.23 --- AC repair
$43.37 --- Overdrive pulley ProParts Sweden 28436803
$200 ---- Zephyrus Wheels
$430 --- Nokian ZLINE A/S All- Season Radial Tire-235/45R18 98W
$60 ---- Mounting and balancing
$38.67 ---- CONTIMODKIT TPMS Service Kit
$323 ---- Radiator (Prem Air type)
$281 --- Radiator Fan (Siemens / VDO)


Total $9820

Now I am under the 10K goal once again.

If anything else breaks I will post it here.

Keeping with MVS tradition

My S80 has achieved Stage 0

Its ready for 100,000 trouble free miles.


Take care

Paul

[pgill]

Some pictures of the radiator and the Prem Air sensor
This is one of the Tabs that I broke off the old radiator to release the AC condenser

This is the clip that holds the fan in place, there is another clip on on the other side. But to remove the fan the upper and lower hose as well as the transmission cooler will need to be removed.

Radiator: this is the side that the Fan attaches to

Close up of the Prem Air sensor