Double Volvo Fire

Lakerider · Post by **Lakerider** » 21 Nov 2008, 08:25

I just bought a 2001 V70 T5 w/ 85K on the odo in beautiful shape that drove wonderfully. I first wanted to post to say hi to this forum. I hope to be a long-term member and contributor assuming my volvo will serve me well. As a lurker, thanks already for great info. I took the T5 to my local volvo indie and they came up w/ a pretty good list.

A bit of interesting background first. We bought the V70 because our 95 Low-mileage 850 Turbo wagon was destroyed in a car fire. Wait, it gets better, a 2002 S40 parked beside our car at my wife's office. She left her car and a few minutes later hers caught fire and that fire spread to our car directly beside it and downwind. We have pictures of the entire sequence (and no, there was no time for my wife to save the car, the flames were quickly intense). So, both cars were totalled, her insurance does not pay because it is not "her" fault. Our comprehensive paid minus $500 deductible and minus the $1,300 in maintenace we sunk into the 850 just the week before. We settled already w/ our insurance company. We asked Volvo for some help and heard nothing from them.

The other insurance company did call us and suggested it was the dealers fault. She purchased the car just 2-3 months prior and they determined the dealer improperly did something to the fuel system or the power steering pump connector (sorry, but don't actually know specifically, she was vague on this since she couldn't physically share her findings). So we thought maybe the car gods were speaking but ended up buying another volvo anyway.

Of course I am a little terrified since the 2001 is routinely trashed in this forum. I couldn't pass up the deal though and there are so many 01's to choose from right now.

Our list of repairs include:

1. New alternator since the current one was pushing out 12.8. I didn't want to get stranded so I reluctlantly agreed to do this expensive repair. ($650 since no reman was available they said).
2. Coolant temp sensor. (I'll do this with new thermostat myself).
3. Rear rotors are warped but has new pads. They rec doing something after they wear out.
4. Left strut mount is broken. $200
5. Upper torque mount needed. $135
6. Trans fluid burnt so flush for $250
7. Control arm bushing bad and leaking. $425
8. Sunroof not working because alarm siren is bad so replace alarm siren for $350

I'd love some feedback from this awesome and knowledgable group, especially about the suspensoin parts because the car does drive and handle beautifully. I drove a lot of these cars too so have a decent feel for tight ones and screwey ones.

So, thanks in advance. Any comments on fire too?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 21 Nov 2008, 17:29

My suggestion is to get a second opinion. Some of those prices are reasonable, while others are outrageous...over $400 for the bushing on a control arm? Now, that's crazy- especially since you say it drives and handles beautifully. The "burnt" transmission fluid is a major concern. This particular year already is known for a weak transmission. If the fluid is really burnt, this could be very bad news for your new purchase.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 Nov 2008, 20:47

NAPA has all of the rebuilt Bosch alternators that you could ever want for $354.00 + an 80.25 refundable core charge.

...Lee

marshall · Post by **marshall** » 22 Nov 2008, 03:45

Hi Lakerider, Welcome to the group. I am also a newer member and I also have a 2001 V70-XC which I purchased about the end of September. Mine had 84,159 miles on it and my "drive out" price was $8,425.65 My repairs have only consisted of a windshield washer tank & turbo switch. OH... I also replaced the cabin air filter and it made my air conditioner work much better. I did have to buy a new windshield because of a new stone chip and roof load bars but I can't blame the car for those. Now, with 2695 miles on it, I have averaged 22.45 mpg. While that isn't great, it isn't all that bad for a car that size. It hauls my bass boat easily, gives me room for my tools & toys, and looks and drives great.
I guess I still have to figure out the heater controls as the car doesn't put that much heat out (at least to my satisfaction). I had to order a new battery as no local store stocks the unit with the proper size & drain plug. My battery works fine but it has low reserve and I fear the first cold morning will find me stranded. Living in Texas, the cold isn't all that bad or long lasting but I still don't want to have a problem.
You are right about the 01 "trashing" but frankly, from what all I have read, the 01 doesn't look any worse (or better) than the other years. In fact, the only thing I could find that was, to me, truly helpful - was the suggestion that tire size and air pressure be closely monitored. I guess the all wheel drive is very sensitive to different sizes.
I wish you good luck with this car, hope you don't have another problem with fire & etc. It will be good to keep up with another 01 owner. Yours should be much faster off the mark than mine as you have the higher performance T5. Then again, I am a pretty soft footed driver anyway. Keep me posted on mileage, repairs, & etc.

Lakerider · Post by **Lakerider** » 22 Nov 2008, 06:11

Thanks MIJ. I had problems with transmission fluid on my 850 as well but no transmission problems so I hope this isn't a bad omen. I'll double check on how burnt.

I am not doing the suspension work untill I gat a better understanding of expense and benefit and all that, especcially since the car runs and feels so great.

Good luck marshall on your xc. I did want one for the snow and snowboarding around here but couldn't find one I was comfortable with.

Alternator price was for a new one as they said they couldn't find a remaned one. I found plenty on the web for 200-260 so I know that is high--like a dealer would charge. I have to drive to Florida soon so the alternator was a big concern even though the car was starting every cold morning.

Volvo's sell for a lot around my town, there are sooo many of them but I got this car for about $5,000 off local fixed up retail from Northern VA area so felt I had some room to do some expected work. I hope my transmission hangs in there. It sure feels good for whatever that's worth and that geartronic is awesome in the mountains here.