Advice on buying a XC

hammertime · Post by **hammertime** » 13 Sep 2009, 11:05

I have owned a '96 850 wagon for almost a year now and I love it so much that I want to add another to the family fleet. I am looking at a '98 V70 XC. I've learned a lot about the 850 in the past year but know nothing about the all wheel drive systems. Is there anything I should be looking for/ looking out for when I inspect the car?

850wagon · Post by **850wagon** » 14 Sep 2009, 20:45

only big thing you should look for with these is the awd unit. unlike its later models xc70. the 98 had a gear based awd which was very touchy. its highly recommended that all tires are the same diameter. not just tire size(ex 195/65/15) but all tires need to be same tread depth or it could potentionly destroy the angel gear.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 15 Sep 2009, 07:40

I had a 98 XC70 and I would never get another one. The angle gear is so touchy that mine blew out just driving 10 miles on the spare. If you are looking for an XC, I would go with something that is at least the second generation. Look for something 2003 on.

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Sep 2009, 11:22

Look for more on this subject in the Volvo Repair Database.

There are two threads "Front Driveshaft Removal V70 XC" and "Front Driveshaft Remove + Replace" that both have the now-common fix to the broken angle gear syndrome: removing the driveshaft and making older XC's into just FWD cars.

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 15 Sep 2009, 13:00

I love mine,but as stated in other post,you better check it out well. Make sure all of the tires are the same size and make.Check the turbo for leaks around the bottom of the turbo area,check cv boots,and make sure the trans fluid is clean.
Any shutter in the trans beware!

hammertime · Post by **hammertime** » 16 Sep 2009, 16:10

Thanks for all the input. I rejected the car for a multitude of reasons, your advice being the final nail in the coffin. I'm in no hurry so I'll just keep looking and waiting for the right car to come along.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 17 Sep 2009, 00:36

You know, I see a lot of these still on the road so they can't be all that horrible. Like you I read about them and asked for advice here and on other BBs (and got about the same comments as above) so I was very concerned about reliability. I've had mine for 19 months now and have spend a grand total of $161 in repairs (bad ignition coil). Even though I'm about to spend another $150 for a new heater core, that's not bad at all for a 9 year old car with 145,000 miles. It's been a great car and very reliable.

Things I'd look for:

Are all the tires the same?
Do you smell any coolant when you start it and turn the heater on? If so you'll need a heater core soon.
Does the tachometer hunt when it is at idle? May indicate a failing ETM.