1998 V70XC AWD, $600 OBO, Arlington/Boston MA Topic is solved

[telemako]

Hi all,

I am moving to CA from MA at the end of July, and my partner and I need to part ways with our 1998 V70 XC. We are not looking to make money on it, and may end up donating it, but I'm hoping someone on this site – where I have gotten some help over the years with it and a prior 850 – might be able either to fix it up or part it out.

The main reason for selling (rather than transporting car to CA) is that I strongly suspect it would not pass CA smog test. (In MA it has not needed one, because >15 years old.)

It has one significant issue, which is that it does not like to start below ~35 deg. F. Having spent many hours reading MVS I suspect either fuel pump relay, ECT, or one or both O2 sensors may be the culprit. This (in my mind) is the main thing to be worked on/replaced in order to get the car back into working condition. Around 35F it will often start after 3-4 tries (separated by 5-10 min), but sometimes even that won't do it. Mechanics and shops in western MA, Chicago, and Ohio have not been able to fix this issue, which has been ongoing for the past two winters. (Previously it was in CA, and didn't need to start in the cold.) Most recently, we got in touch with a highly-recommended Volvo-specializing shop out here only to learn that they won't work on cars older than 25 years; that was the end of the rope, so looking now to get it to someone who will either fix it up or recycle its parts out into other beloved Volvos.

Some info (can look into anything else you'd like to know)
* 235k miles
* no CEL / codes
* I am (I believe) the third owner (purchased in Berkeley CA in 2019; driven ~40k miles since then)
* service records are fairly complete, and @ time of purchase I believe the major milage-appropriate, relevant things had been done (water pump timing belt etc). I can dive into service records to check on anything.
* Clean title
* MAF replaced ~a year ago, when it had an unsteady idle from time to time; we also thought this might fix the cold-start issue, but it did not.
* It has been running fine all spring and summer – I did not drive much this winter (given cold start issue described above).
* nice aftermarket stereo that was put in before I bought the car.
* The exhaust line is rusted and has been recommended to be replaced for a few years, but has not been done. (Mostly we have just kept an eye on it; is it possible that doing this, w/ replacement of O2 sensors, might help the cold start issue? We have not had the time [or a shop we trust] to attempt it.)

A litany of minor complaints but nothing that has prevented it from being a good around town car:
* wiring harness in rear gate/trunk needs replacing; lights do not flash when car is locked, and 'trunk not closed' dashboard light remains on at all times. But all brake and taillights operate fine.
* panel below steering wheel came lose and was riveted back on; there's still some duck tape from prev. temp repair
* missing the power window button-covers on DS door (buttons still work, just unsightly).
* the power locks (as I have read is a common problem) don't like to unlock w/ electronic fob when the car is sitting in the sun / hot.
* spring in rear gate leaves something to be desired, but does stay open.
* Minor coolant leak, probably a hose. Full radiator was replaced (I believe in 2021/2022 – can check).

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things; please ask any questions and I will do my best to respond.

Need to be rid of car by end of July.

I will try to post more pictures this evening – sorry this is not a very good one to start. Please let me know if there's anything you'd like photographed.

Hoping for $600, but feel free to make an offer, just hoping it can go to good use. Thanks.

Alex
Arlington, MA (Boston area).

[telemako]

A few more photos. Get in touch if you are interested, headed to donation soon.
Alex

Bungee(s) @ bumper are holding a plastic piece on underneath; has been that way for the last year or so. Bumper itself is still bumping.

[telemako]

This car has been donated (happily, to a friend). Thanks - Alex

[scot850]

That is great news! Glad you found your old friend a home with a friend.

Neil.

[abscate]

I missed this one , which would have been perfect for Beryls Volvos.

Have your friend reach out to us here fir help with the 1998 XC snowflake model.

I bet it needs a fuel pump controller to solve that start problem.

[VPrints]

Ah I missed this! Been looking for a wagon to replace my S70. Well, if your friend reconsiders his donation, I'm here!