1998 v70 xc - Need advice: Keep her or sell her?

[TJWookiee]

I can't tell you all how relieved I was to find out the sign of doom the mechanic called me about isn't a problem necessarily. Yes, I do drive a lot of short trips, back and forth to the train, seldom anything over 30 minutes. I live in the northeast Bronx on an island, so there is a lot of driving on and off. The car has not been running rough at all, so this diagnosis seemed off.

They did run a test on the alternator, and it appears to be the original, so I think I'm going to have to punt and replace that. I'm also getting an evap valve flow fault error, he says it's just the hose, but I was still getting the error after he'd taped it up last visit. I've seen elsewhere here that the hose can be replaced without the entire cylinder having to be replaced (my last two mechanics have told me the cylinder would have to be replaced along with the hose, which is confirming for me that I need to see a mechanic more in tune with Volvos).

[abscate]

Get your self a code reader (20 bucks for a cheapie) and start reading these codes yourself. I carry one in the glove box and have trained three teens that if the CEL light comes on they read it and text it to me.

Your travel pattern is textbook " car barely warms up" mode. Definitely don't panic on the motor yet.

Monitor both dipstick and coolant reservoir evey few days for a month. If neither changes in level or colour, you are okay.

[scot850]

Like all the guys have said, these Volvos can be funny (not the laughing kind!). They typically don't like a lot of short drives as both the engine and muffler system don't get hot enough to burn of any condensation, and it is worse in higher humidity or colder areas.

I saw the recommendation to take the car on a good long run so it can get nice and toasty. Might want to throw in some Seafoam in the fuel tank to help clean the fuel system on that run. If all is then good, then it is worth planning a good run maybe one a month to blow out the cobwebs (car and ours!).

I remember my grandfather in Denmark in the 60's saying he had to take his 63 121 out for a good blast every so often to clear the engine. Some things and Volvos don't change!

Hope all turns out good, which I'm sure it is. Like abscate says, watch the oil and water levels once a day for a few days, then as confidence grows take it out to a week and then maybe monthly. If the water level falls but oil doesn't increase or go creamy, it doesn't mean the head gasket has gone, is may be another leak from an old pipe, radiator, loose connection, etc.

Good luck and post back to let us know how it is going.

Neil.

[TJWookiee]

Thanks for the advice on monitoring the dipstick and coolant, will do. I'm definitely ditching this mechanic, but not only because of the lack of Volvo knowledge. He actually left my oil cap loose before I picked up the car and I had a nice little panic on the highway later that day as the oil splashed out. I had them comp me an oil change the next morning.

I have a netbook I connect via USB that had been on the fritz before I brought the car in, but now that I've got the netbook working again I cleared the old code for the eval cylinder shut-off valve flow fault error (that code had been on a while, there was a problem with the end of the hose that this mechanic taped off, but I'm wondering if I fixed that problem myself by adding a bottle of 104+ two weeks ago), and also cleared the code for the alarm having gone off (it said the cause was the door, good call rspl), and since then, no CEL light, no alarms, no flickering.

[scot850]

Well hopefully this good news continues for you. Just keep monitoring until your butt cheeks stop clenching, and then you should be comfortable with the longer term of you car.

Neil.

[TJWookiee]

I've just been reading through this old thread of mine since, two or so years down the line, I'm glad I held onto her, but the last time I drove this car longer than ten minutes was a month ago to a camping trip 25 miles away and she stalled out right in front of my house when I got home. Haven't been able to get her to start since then without an immediate stall and I'm getting a cloud of white smoke out of the exhaust. I feel like this has to be the end, I just don't have the faith in the wagon that I used to, I'm no mechanic (just read my posts if you don't believe me) and don't have the space to warehouse it and repair it in my spare time. I'm anticipating having to drive my son and his fellow Scouts on some future camping trips and their safety is a major concern, I have to be sure when I leave the curb that the car will run safely and reliably. Yes, this reads like a Dear John letter to the wagon, it feels that way to write it as well.

The body is in good shape still, I haven't had any accidents (there's a slight depression between the front right wheel and the nose where someone must have dinged me while I was parked), the suspension is good, I've had a variety of parts replaced over the last few years and the transmission replaced about three years ago. I feel like I could sell it for parts although it's not running, but I can't drag this out for months. Any suggestions on how to move it fast other than throwing it on Craigslist?

EDIT: Had someone else try starting the wagon while I watched, the smoke is white. Edited detail above.

[erikv11]

Send a PM to this member, he needs a wagon memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=85868

[abscate]

There are a lot of cheap things that will make you feel the car is beyond hope. A simple temperature sensor can dump raw fuel into the engine which will cause a no-start or black smoke for instance

[TJWookiee]

I had concerns the repair would be cost-prohibitive, but I'm going to get a tow to a shop to be sure. Glad the site is here so I can more or less think out loud.

[BEJinFbk]

If it's still AWD, be sure you move it on a flat bed.