Opinions wanted: Do I go through with this repair?

[WestCoastWagon]

Hi guys,

I have a 2005 XC70 with 161,000 miles on it. I have a VVT hub leaking oil and was quote $2000 USD to replace the two hubs, timing belt, water pump, cam shaft seals, and anti-freeze ($600 Labor, $1400 parts). Sadly, the timing belt & water pump were replaced 45,000 miles ago but a new belt is recommended given that it's now coated in oil.

I have a solid maintenance history on the vehicle. Interesting fact: it cost $40,000 USD after tax in 2004 and has had $17,000 in repairs, maintenance, servicing since. Not sure if that's good or bad, but it's interesting.

Other known issues and foreseeable maintenance items include:

- Key tumbler is "sticky"
-Tach spikes during starting. From what I read, this is a grounding issue associated with the transmission that requires a trans. disassemble and cleaning. This is just an annoyance at the moment, and I'm not sure where this could lead
- All strut/springs are original
- All brake calipers are original
- Only one bearing has been replaced in the vehicle's 19 year history so I assume these are coming up

To me the $2000 VVT hub repair seems like a line in the sand for the car: do I cut my losses now or "invest" (I laughed as I typed that). I'm tempted to go through with it because I just bought it in April (for $3300, mind you), but I wouldn't mind a sober 3rd party opinion. Sound off.

Thanks all!!

[scot850]

The downside to owning an old cars that if you can't fix it yourself, then you are paying others to repair it for you which is the reason many serviceable cars end up in the junkyard.

While 161k miles is not huge for one of these cars, a $2000 repair is a big chunk of change on a near 20 year old car. Have you tried Chapman Motors on Vancouver Island to see if they have a good set of used VVT hubs? They are not cheap, but I have never had bad parts from them. It may be worth asking them what they would charge for the repair as it may be worth the cost of the trip over?

You may also be able to pick up good used parts for the other potential issues you list down the line.

The repair shop you took the car to, are they experienced in Volvos? I believe there may be a couple of independent Volvo repair shops in the Vancouver area.

As to the sticky tumbler. You can buy graphite powder for door locks. Try a hardware store or on-line. dust it on your key and try and see if that helps. Don't spray anything in there like WD-40 or likes as it can make it worse.

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

Spend some rewarding time searching this forum for each of the issues the shop recommends you repair and you think may be needed. You will learn a lot if you have the knowledge to understand the information. I am encouraged that you have this knowledge since you posted an extended list with details. If you have tools and knowledge most of these repairs can be DIY.
A rule of thumb is spending $1000 to repair issues after purchase of a used vehicle. Your Volvo has relatively low miles for it's age and it appears you have good records of past maintenance.
MVS has good sources and helpful users.
volvolugnut

[Blacklab467]

How much do you like the car? For most of us on this forum we love our Volvo's. Owning a 20 year old car and using it as a daily driver can start to test one's enthusiasm if you're not a DIY'er. It sounds like you have a pretty good car with great maintenance history with plenty of miles left. I wouldn't discredit your car for having the original struts and calipers and bearings, these cars came with exceptional parts that last a very long time. The items on your shop repair quote are well within the scope of a shade tree mechanic with some time to fix the car, or as suggested find an Indie shop with a more reasonable rate.
If you really enjoy the car and find it practical for your needs it probably warrants a bit of investment now and likely more in the future as the miles rack up. As an example, I have owned my '03 XC 70 for 9 years after I bought it as a winter beater, fell in love with the car and started fixing everything on it that wasn't perfect to the tune of $6500 in parts and my labor, plus the initial acquisition cost of $2700. My total cost is less than $10000 and I've put 85000 miles on the car since purchase. That's a pretty low cost of ownership when a new Camry or Subaru wagon is well over $40000.

[cn90]

I wrote a VVT Hub DIY in this forum for the 2007 S60.
It is quite a bit of work but with proper tools/techqniues, it can be done for the price of
the VVT Hub (~ $220 when on sale).

Do NOT buy used VVT Hub, not worth it bc it is a lot of labor.

Here is the DIY 2007 S60 VVT Hub:

viewtopic.php?t=100439

[matthew1]

I am encouraged that you have this knowledge since you posted an extended list with details. If you have tools and knowledge most of these repairs can be DIY.

You hit on something here. People who post an overview and also necessary details in the first post of their thread have a higher percent chance of success with a DIY repair. I don't know the stats, but I know it's true.

WCW you can do this. We can help.

[abscate]

The labour is about right, the parts are way out of line.

VVT hub intake 350
VVT hub exhaust 350
Timing belt, idlers 150
coolant 25

I get to 825 in parts

Skip the water pump replacement, just clean it and replace the rubber belt

[Krons]

To me spending that much all hinges on the condition of the car, if pristine definitely—if trashed definitely not.

The shocks and struts are definite DIY, done four Volvos. When it comes to VVT and cam seals I do farm that out…certain I could but I have a reasonably priced Indy shop in town.

With continued care that car should easily hit 300k miles.

[volvolugnut]

WCW you can do this. We can help.

Matthew,
New motto for MVS?
"You can do this. We can help."

volvolugnut

[jonesg]

What I found very helpful was to find a friend who could teach me how to wrench.
I went to harbor freight and bought all the basic tools plus a speedjack and I already had jackstands.
Living in an apt made if tricky , my toolbox was very heavy so I put it on a 2 wheel dolly.
Worked on the driveway until we bought a house with a garage.
the first week I owned my v70 I had the cam hubs off, timing belt, water pump, camshaft seals, did the lot.

if your cam hubs leak it could be little more than the big o'ring that seals the 2 halves. $10 vs $350.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... sWEALw_wcB