What did you do to your P2 Volvo today?

[Blacklab467]

Around here we call them "coal burners" because thats where the electricity comes from.........the environmentalists don't like to hear that!

[DIYgettingBy]

Interesting and likely stupid question for you guys: Which is less-awful for the AWD system on an 04 S60 2.5T: Driving on 3 tires + the 20 year old tiny factory spare, or driving on 3 tires + 1 non matching full sized tire with uneven treadwear.

Purely hypothetical of course, definitely not for the off chance that I have to drive my LONG out of commission S60 to the auto parts store while doing the PCV system on the road-legal XC70. Boy I wish it would stop raining so I get some work done

[scot850]

Check the handbook. I think there is a max recommended speed and distance Volvo recommend in there.

Neil.

[scot850]

Today I started to look over an 02 XC70 that a friend wants to donate to the student son of a mutual friend. He wanted an opinion if the car is a suitable candidate as he does not want it to be a burden.

The car in question is a 02 XC70 in a lovely shade of dark metallic red. It has 'only' 375,000km on it (about 235,000 miles). The owners know there are a some issues with it and are willing to put some money into it.

It has been serviced and has a recent timing belt service. Not sure what was changed in the service if it was the belt only or what else. All I know is it was a Gates belt from the service label.

It is one of those thinks where the car runs, but on a quick check it needs a lot of work. Main issues are all 4 shocks, all 4 brakes for pads and shoes, hopefully the one rear caliper is ok as it is not grabbing on half the rotor wide.

As to that a badly cracked windshield, 13 year old front tire that are dry rotted and bald on the inside there is a lot of work to be done to make it a safe reliable car. Then thee is the small stuff like the driver's window master switch (looks like an aftermarket unit) that doesn't work on the driver's door.

I then made the mistake of reading codes. I was surprised to find not trans codes as there is a really rough 1-2 change. The owner says that has been there since it was fitted as a used part to replace a failed trans. I seem to recall there was a software update. Not sure if it or the trans (TCU) got that for the original or for this one.

The engine has a bunch of codes for O2 sensors, crank pulley signal issues and valve timing. It is also running rough. So it will need a bunch of diagnostics on that.

Owner said the rear tires were wearing badly on the inside, but the rears were ok. The fronts were not and worn on the inside. Looked the rear suspension over, but can't see any obvious issues or bad bushes. I have asked my ex-Volvo mechanic friend for a 2nd opinion especially on the rear suspension. I don't have the experience on P2 XC70 rear bushes to know if a couple are bad or normal.

Oh, then there are the oil leaks.................! It may need a PCV pressure check tomorrow as the oil is near the cam area. There is also oil on the LHS of the trans area.

None of these on their own is a big issue, but adding them together is a lot of money, even using used parts where available.

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

Today I started to look over an 02 XC70 that a friend wants to donate to the student son of a mutual friend. He wanted an opinion if the car is a suitable candidate as he does not want it to be a burden.None of these on their own is a big issue, but adding them together is a lot of money, even using used parts where available.

Neil.

I would think hard about making all these repairs.
Perhaps sort them into safety and other repairs. If the safety items are possible at an acceptable cost, then maybe leave the other repairs until needed and reevaluate the cost.
Tires, shocks and brakes are obvious safety issues.
volvolugnut

[scot850]

Wise words indeed. I think I can sometimes be over critical, but this time I have tried to be even handed. Stupid here put this in the P80 forum (no idea why thought I was in the PS one??). Here is the first pass list:

viewtopic.php?t=104991

Honestly, don't think it is viable unless the young guy who is possibly getting this car is willing to sink some money into it as well as the current owner. Shame as it can be fixed, but at what cost?

I can contribute free time to this and I know the young student is handy and could help. But overall is it worth the hassle?

Neil.

[lrock]

found the cause of my alarm going off every time I lock the car and don't disconnect the battery, and fixed it. Did the tracing for fixing the tailgate open and position light messages. Fingers crossed i'll be message free once I clear these (yeah, right....)

[br0dy519]

That car needs an alternator, a starter, a steering rack, a muffler, a Xemodex DIM, new rad hoses, new vaccuum hoses, spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel door hinge, the list goes on.... I would not want to be liable for being the one to say a car is good to buy, then have my buddies kid stranded roadside, with a repair job well over the value of the car waiting for them once the mechanic has it towed to their shop... just my 2 pence.

I also wouldn't buy another P2 ever. At least the two I have, I have put 200k on them myself so I'm aware of exactly all of the quirks that I would hand down to my child. They're simply getting too old to be feasible for anyone except an enthusiast (hint: if you're on a Volvo forum... you probably fall into that column )

[lrock]

discovered I have puddle lights... and they work!

[P80GLT]

Around here we call them "coal burners" because thats where the electricity comes from.........the environmentalists don't like to hear that!

So the 'coal burner is in my custody for the next 10 days as my daughter and her family have gone to Norway in their other coal burner for a holiday I just hope the charging system in Europe is better than what we have in the UK... Yesterday I had to take the coal burner for an MOT and the technician said he couldn't check much as everything underneath has covers on which they are not allowed to remove. Today I'm going to have the wheel alignment done as it's wearing the inside on both front tyres.

Good points:
0-60mph in 3.1 seconds and when you have a tailgater they soon disappear from view when you hit the pedal

Bad points:
Cheap build quality, crap electrics, being spied on all the time, screen controlled everything, boring to drive even with all that power. I'll stick to my old dinosaur powered internal combustion engine

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