After spending the better half of a year reading through the forums to decide on the model of Volvo to purchase, I decided on an XC trim P80 chassis.
Following that decision, I kept an eye on the usual used car websites for several months, and in June 2025 eventually zeroed in on a listing for an Emerald Green 1998 V70XC with 172,172 miles, a CarFax report, mostly new winter tires, and a timing belt change that had been done within the prior few months. Reached out to the seller, arranged for a time to meet, nearly had the car bought out from under me (the seller got stood up), but finally got to see it and give it a test drive.
Upon getting a bit of a closer look there were definitely some things that needed work, but as someone who doesn't shy away from working on fixing things it seemed an exciting opportunity. A big kicker for me was that the AWD system seemed to have been taken care of, as it had no weird feelings while driving around (the only thing noted at the time was an occasional bit of a clunk from the rear from the freewheel lock-up engaging when going into reverse).
While some things I could tell needed work, I had a feeling that this was the right vehicle for me. I decided to go through with the purchase, drove the car about 35 miles home without issue, and immediately went to work fixing things while home on the weekends between working my summer job. During the first month it didn't leave the garage since, as it would turn out, the brakes were in very bad shape with seized rear calipers, dragging front brakes, and rust on everything. On top of that there was smoke coming out from the area by the turbocharger and the oil dipstick, which were caused by a clogged PCV system as confirmed by the glove test. But as parts for the brakes made their way through shipping, other repairs were made:
*Note: only estimate mileages will be given for the sake of readability*
Done at early 172k miles
Shift knob button
Tailgate panel clips and brackets
Fuel door latch
Cabin air filter
Tailgate struts
License plate lamp assembly (left side)
Military-style battery terminals
Fuses #7 and #32 in “fuses” box (the wrong amperage fuse was in one slot, causing the radio to not turn on)
Windshield wipers
Parking brake springs and shoes
Rear brake lines, pads, calipers, and rotors
Took the car to a European car specialist in the area and let them take care of the PCV system and oil change (which included some new seals and gaskets, with the ones for the oil pan not being installed for fear of snapping the heads off the oil pan bolts). During the test drive it was discovered that the positive post of the alternator was shorting and glowing a hot orange, so that also was replaced （´∇｀''）
Done at early 172k miles
Driver’s side window switch pack
New front brake lines, pads, calipers, and rotors
After finally replacing all the brake items, the mighty Volvo made its first voyage out onto the road on August 30th!
With a check engine light being lit with a P0455 code, items began to be purchased to replace various EVAP system components, while also making other repairs.
Done at mid-late 172k miles
New fuel filler cap
New oil filler cap
New shifter backlight
New headlight housings
New headlight high bulbs (LED Upgrade)
New headlight low bulbs (Upgraded halogens)
New fuel filter
Full transmission fluid flush (Valvolene DEXRON III/MERCON)
Topped up oil (1 quart 5W-40)
Topped up coolant (Zerex G28)
Before naming my car I wanted to get an idea of its character, so in September I officially named her Saskia to portray the sporty/feisty nature the P80 chassis and whiteblock inline 5 can have while also acknowledging the safe and protective nature of Volvo.
Done mid 173k miles
EVAP canister and connected hosing replaced
Air filter replaced (IPD high-flow OEM replacement)
Cleaned MAF sensor
New ABS module (XEMODEX)
Was having an odd issue with the right turn signal pausing it's functioning when braking, tried replacing a variety of bulbs and cleaning components/grounds/applying dielectric grease while reading up on things, ended up being a short of some kind with the brake pedal switch (which was taken care of when the car went into the European car specialist for replacing the short coolant line that connects to the rail that runs behind the top of the engine block).
Done at 174k miles
New distributor cap
New distributor rotor
Replaced spark plugs (gapped to 0.75 mm)
Fixed passenger knee bolstering, reattached passenger kick panel
New passenger’s side rear turn signal bulb
New battery and battery terminals
Done at early-mid 175k
New charcoal canister and some tubing
Front turn signal housings
IPD HD TCV
Silicone hosing for TCV
IPD ABS module bolts
Rear brake light bulbs replaced
left rear turn signal bulb replaced
Headlight wiper blades replaced
MAF sensor (and housing tube)
Fuel pump relay
Front turn signal bulbs
Replaced driver and passenger seat switch packs
Repaired heated seat switches
Replaced rear EVAP soft line
Replaced SAS pump
Topped up oil (1 quart 5W-40)
Replaced EVAP shut-off valve (driver’s side wheel well)
Upon having done several hours of research and checking part numbers given in forums and the Volvo Parts Webstore, everything to refresh the long-overdue suspension was in hand. Including such were some 1.5" suspension spacers fabricated by Adam Nonis over on the Swedespeed forums, as discussed under the thread of lifting a P80 AWD car. Very happy with the results, and again a huge thanks!
Done at late 175k miles
Front subframe bushings
Front springs and struts kit (IPD)
Control arms (4 bolt style)
Front sway bar end links
Front wheel bearings
CV axles and nuts (decided on Protech CV axles after much research, IPD carries them and so far they've been great!)
Steering tie rods and end rods
Rear springs and struts (rear Nivomat conversion kit to non-Nivomat)
Rear sway bar links
Rear toe rods (Volvo calls these stays)
Front strut spacers and rear spring spacers (lift kit)
Four-wheel alignment
New tires (205/65R15 Falken Sincera SN250 AS (XL load class tires)
- The sidewall of the front left winter tires the car came with was starting to crack, and they weren't gripping great for non-winter conditions.
I was and am very happy with the improved ride quality and the way the lift kit raised the ride height. I grew up in a 2002 XC70 and, among having more space to work under the car, wanted some better ground clearance closer to the P2's for future adventures (potentially even some storm chasing down the road).
Of important note, after the front suspension had been repaired I experienced a sort of shudder/shake/vibration when accelerating at speeds anywhere from 0-30 MPH. Did all sorts of research and checked for the typical causes, but to no avail. (Later resolved with an alignment correction after the suspension had settled, addressed later in this post).
I was glad to have ordered a used flasher relay from EBay when first experiencing turn signal issues, since one night driving home from errands the signals/hazard function completely up and died. I was very thankful to already have the part on hand.
Done at early-mid 176k miles
Used working flasher relay
Topped up oil (8 oz 5W-40)
Filled coolant to max line after it was at/below minimum (Zerex G28) (blue)
Transmission torque mount (and new bolts into the transmission)
Replaced EVAP hose connected to vehicle rollover detection valve (other one was replaced a month earlier)
IPD HD Viton gas cap seal
IPD HD Viton oil cap seal (fixed oil going around the sub-par seal that came on the IPD cap and splashing onto the engine when going over steep grades)
Passenger front door latch unit (used)
Passenger front window motor (used)
Done at early 177k miles
Turbo oil return line gasket and o-ring (6 hours... but learned a lot and learned some helpful tips/tricks. Also it fixed my very messy oil leak!)
SAS check valve
SAS check valve hose (p/n: 1271766)
Fuel pressure test (good at idle, drops immediately after engine shut-off)
Turbo to manifold hose
Manifold to black line hose (runs over engine to back)
Driver’s side window rollers
Driver’s side door check stop
Driver’s side door lock rod (p/n: 9420919) (Volvo parts website calls it a lock button)
The door lock rod was a fun one, as the closest Volvo dealership I ordered it from online had a continuity error and didn't have the part in stock, so they got it in from the Classic Parts warehouse in Sweden.
Done at mid 177k miles
Cleaned Idle Air Control valve w/ carb and choke cleaner
Front camber adjustment bolts
Second four wheel alignment (after suspension settled from new part installation)
As mentioned earlier, there had been an issue with shudder/shake/vibration when accelerating at speeds anywhere from 0-30 MPH, which I had a sneaking suspicion was caused by an alignment issue and the tires biting/scrabbling at the road. The effect was also notably less when the roads were slick from the first rain in well over a month. Upon re-alignment with the settled components, the drive home was happily free from such shaking, and a little bump in fuel economy was noted. Now the only vibration in the front is from the remaining engine/transmission mounts that have to be changed（´∇｀''）
Recently I purchased from diaglaptops a BOOT&GO unit, Mongoose cable, and VAG KKL cable to afford me access to VIDA to look up vehicle specifics and utilize VOL-FCR for diagnostic and data reading. If anyone's got specification questions I'm happy to look them up and do my best to answer questions.
Congratulations, brave traveler for making it to the end of this chapter.
It's taken me quite a while to finally get to posting this, but I hope it was a good and informative read covering the past 10 months
Now for going forward for future repairs/upgrades:
Most urgent is solving the P0455 code (DCT EFI-611). I suspect that it's something related to the EVAP components at the back of the car, as upon doing a fuel pressure test at the schrader rail on the end of the fuel rail the pressure holds at 40 psi while cranking and idling but immediately drops to 0 psi once the engine is off. My current speculation is that I'll have to either partially drop the rear subframe or cut the access hole to replace the fuel pump and assembly (which looks like it hasn't been touched in a very long time either... I'll link a separate thread for this issue, any input is very welcome!).
Other To-Do Items
- A/C compressor needs replacement
- Plastic covers for the timing belt are slowly breaking, so starting fresh with new ones. Also wanting to start fresh with a new water pump, belt, pulleys, and tensioner (I've read the horror stories... I'm wanting to avoid a dead engine).
- Some slight cracks are forming in the coolant reservoir, that's something to be taken care of with the other timing stuff since it already has to come out(?) (by my understanding?)
- IPD transmission cooler
- Adapting an IPD FWD skidplate to fit, as it seems the factory AWD skidplates are as rare as a unicorn these days
- Air guide under the front bumper is missing
- IPD Reverse Intercooler Piping kit (while not the main focus, a little bit of go-fast parts would be fun
)- Dual-exhaust upgrade (not wanting anything crazy or loud, but something to help it breathe a bit better and bring out a little more growl. I don't want to disturb nature too much when out adventuring lol
- Rear wiper spray isn't working (low priority, a nice to have done once the more critical stuff has been taken care of)
- Hitch and electrical setup for some intermittent towing
- Steering wheel reupholstering (the leather is very worn in several places)
It seems like a lot, and I admit that I didn't realize how much of a rejuvenation project Saskia would be, but it's been a good experience and a very enjoyable vehicle to work on, and not often frustrating (though there are a few moments). But hey, one more P80 saved and kept on the roads, a companion that's already been with me through some important life moments, and hopefully one that'll be with me for many, many more years to come.
And finally, a huge thanks to @matthew1 for creating the forums to host this goldmine of Volvo knowledge, @rspi for all the helpful posts and video guides (RobertDIY on YouTube for anyone who doesn't already know), and @TacklaNHL for diaglaptops.
(See below for photos)
Beauty! Good work on it. The XC was also my first P80. Got me through some decent amount of mud. Nice green, I might consider that over the cypress green I've looked at for my trailer.
