What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

[volvolugnut]

I'm new here, don't know how to start a new thread, but can add some relevancy here since I did work on one of my Volvos today -- 2008 Xc90 ....my daughters - I bought it for her/in great condition until she slid off the road in a snow storm....any way....she cracked the radiator, had a guy who rents a buy install a new one....that's when all hell broke loose -- slammed down my hood while I was standing there and wrenched it/then washed hands of the problem he created...took me days to get it open -- snapped release cable in the process -- now have to replace that. It appears when he installed the radiator -- he trapped the cable portion going over to the passenger side. But even more importantly -- after he installed radiator -- temperature gauge doesn't work (just sits limp) and no heat. Any thoughts? Radiator is going to have to come back off because of the trapped bonnet cable, but I'm thinking he didn't hook something up right or broke something...I had him doing work previously and I ended up with post-repair problems, so definitely possible.

AliceG, see may new post above addressing your questions.

volvolugnut

[RedBrickCollector]

Well that is not ideal. Are the screws missing from it?

Neil.

Screws were both there, the plastic mount shattered

[Chieber]

Finished the whole suspension before the end of new year.

I was able to loosen the jam but of the outer tie rods with my newly arrived crows foot wrenches. The threads were pre soaked in pb blaster and lotsa heat.
So outer tie rods are done!

Its not aligned yet, but it drives like a dream. The new delta link bushings made the most difference, even with new shock and springs.

So far in 2025 I’ve done the following on this cosmetically ugly v70:

- new battery
- repaired abs module
- replaced whole pcv system
- new spark plugs
- new throttle cable
- new hood release cable
- automatic gearbox lever lights
- new bits and pieces for the interior
- replaced the whole ac system plus heater core
- replaced blinkers and head light glass
- installed fog lights
- added leds into the dashboard
- new used tweeters up front
- new used blower motor
- replaced new light bulbs for the dashboard switches
- did a full oil, fluid and filter services (except brakes)
- new used drivers side lock actuator
- new used drivers side broken door stop
- new used right hand upper tail light
- new floor mats
- repaired broken cup holder
- new used interieur temp sensor
- new drivers side window control module
- new rear pump windscreen washer
- fixed the rattling interior of the tailgate
- replaced strut, shocks and springs front and back with new assembly on lowered springs
- new cv joint boot right side
- new control arms
- new outer tie rods
- new stabiliser end links
- new delta links
- new trailing arm bushings
- new tailgate lift struts
- all new bulbs in the rear

Next year will be:
- brakes and parking brake
- vacuum lines
- coolant hoses
- transmission mount
- upper engine mount
- valve stem seals
- rust on roof at antenna
- roof liner
- cruise control that doesn’t engage properly
- new used wheels or refurb old ones. Paint inside is flaking off

Exterior wise I’ll leave as is, with the exception of bad rust. The body work and paint is real bad, but I like it. Gives me one less thing to worry about when parking and everything.

Once this engine goes, I might be tempted to swap a t3 and a manual in it for the sleeper car look. Maybe prep a it for Nurburgring as well.

So far I’ve overpaid for the car, which was 1650 euros.
For parts, I’ve spend a grand total of 3757,09 euros, which brings the total of this ongoing hobby to a whopping 5407,09 euros.

My estimate is that till now, I have saved at least 5 to 6000 euros on labor by doing this myself.

On that note,

Hope you all have a great new year and here’s to another year of wrenching on your fav car!

Happy New Year folks

[scot850]

Well from 10m the car looks pretty good to me! Just think, no car payments, little depreciation and when you have done all the catch up service work, good for another 100kkm with normal servicing.

Being able to do your own work makes such a difference.

I'm just about to do my 2nd P2 oil service today when my young friend brings his 02 XC70 over. We just did his girlfriends 03 XC70 which has done 10kkm in about 5 months, the 02 is about to get it's 3rd 10kkm oil change in slightly under a year! Car has close to 410kkm on it since the owner and I did a lot of work last year and some more this year.

Neil.

[ZionXIX]

Sounds like you got a whole new car to me. Very nice color. Im on my own restoration journey.

[Chieber]

AI does has its uses

[smacknab]

Edit- just realized there's a p1 'wdydtyvt' thread, sorry if I've been spamming this one

V50 reassembled and made it back in the driveway, I'll pull it back into my shop this weekend since it has a few lingering issues to button up.

Big job generally though so pretty proud of it starting up first try- engine swap with a 100k motor from Erie Volvo. I did a full timing kit including all front and rear seals, serpentine tensioners, pcv system, coolant system refresh and motor mounts. Transmission refresh with flywheel+clutch+pressure plate, all seals including on the angle gear, AWD collar sleeve, drain/fill/filter for rear haldex and dif.

Only hit a few roadblocks having to drill out some snapped bolts on the belly of the car as well as grind down and weld new captive nuts for one of the rear driveshaft brackets. Plus I bent the power steering line dropping the engine back in but thankfully fcp had it 50% off and shipped it to my house in 1 day on new years eve.

I've learned that working on an AWD turbo P1 vs my old fwd NA P80 i should expect everything to take 2-3x longer because of tight packaging and added complexity.

[abscate]

Edit- just realized there's a p1 'wdydtyvt' thread, sorry if I've been spamming this one

The authorities have been notified. I sure like seeing you in a shop vs thst clutch job outside in New England winter smacnabb

[454cid]

Edit- just realized there's a p1 'wdydtyvt' thread, sorry if I've been spamming this one

V50 reassembled and made it back in the driveway, I'll pull it back into my shop this weekend since it has a few lingering issues to button up.

Is that a vacuum filler for the coolant? If so, what exactly is it, and are you happy with it? That's something that I've contemplated buying.

[ZionXIX]

So I redid the smoke test after installing the new do88 intercooler hoses. The next weakest link was the rubber grommet around the PTC "valve" allow smoke to spew out. The PTC just spins freely in the grommet. Can't buy that new anymore. I was contemplating buying the do88 intake pipe but its $300. I've decided to apply permatex around PTC to seal it up as a last ditch effort to save the intake. If that fails then do88 will have more of my money.