S60 total loss?

[vtl]

Ol' good days when Volvo was a Swedish car, designed and built in Sweden by Swedes, using Swedish parts.

It took me 1.5 months to convince Volvo (two dealers, Volvo of NA, headquarters) that wife's new XC60 has severe brake problems. Nothing helped until I started to bleed brakes myself and record a video of air bubbles coming out of a brake system. They were not sure what's the reason, but agreed to replace master cylinder on their dime, just by guess. And that helped. This is essentially killed the idea of buying a new Volvo: its quality suffered in the most unacceptable place (first and the main safety system) and they don't have qualified personnel who can figure things on their own, without customer's help. I was also gently bashed over the phone by the rep that I'm not qualified for any judgement about hydraulic system design and principles of operation (MSc in Nuclear Engineering is not qualified - my understanding is all Volvo technicians get PhD first before they allowed to turn wrenches).

Yes, wife got into a tiny parking lot accident due to brakes, that threw my rage over the roof.

I hope Volvo reads MVS.

[tryingbe]

The water pump/ timing belt replacement by a mechanic would have been enough to total this car given its mileage

LOL. Don't change the waterpump and timing belt, wait until the engine dies and change engine instead.

[June]

Thank you for the replies. I realize most anything is a relative gamble and I know I'm not in this car to make any money. The water pump/ timing belt replacement by a mechanic would have been enough to total this car given its mileage. It surprisingly was a 1 owner with records from Volvo until it ended up in a second hand used lot, then my lucky hands. I've replaced the turbo once after snapping the impeller shaft due to a low oil condition caused by gunked up lines. With this being a pretty serious hit it's strike 2 for me. Monday morning I'll be talking with a local shop about potential. I'll be honest though, I'm missing my old Honda.

Just a afterthought on my part. You owned Honda before Volvo so maybe you are not aware of the turbo rules. Theyare universal among brands with turbo engines. I photographed the information from my 2004 book. I have never had a turbo fail on any of the 5 cars that had turbo.

To not follow the shut down rules starves the turbo of oil resulting it turbo damage and failure such as your car experienced. I always follow the turbo start up and shut down rules. They were explained to me originally when I bought my 1989 Volvo turbo new. Every booklet for every turbo I have owned had similar if not the same to say as the following photos. June

[Georgeandkira]

The OP wrote: "It surprisingly was a 1 owner with records from Volvo until it ended up in a second hand used lot, then my lucky hands."

Were the records pulled by you at a Volvo dealership or were you handed a stamped book? I know this sounds whacky but a stamped book is easy to fake and well within the capabilities of anyone---even a dishonest car dealer.

[vtl]

"Serviced by dealer" means oil change every year. More than enough to make turbo and the rest of the engine unhappy.

[abscate]

Cars that end up on used lots have something wrong with them. If its a clean retail , the dealer will keep it or people like Jim will pick up the rare gems.

[June]

"Serviced by dealer" means oil change every year. More than enough to make turbo and the rest of the engine unhappy.

What I meant was all scheduled maintenance was completely done on time. A clean well kept car will be obvious. Preferably a car with records showing full synthetic oil used changed more often than once a year. Also not a car where owner refused suggested repairs.

If records are not available things like the Volvo timing belt change sticker on a older car is mandatory, as well as how clean the fluids are, how clean is the engine what can be seen through the oil cap.

What you don't want to see is cheap tires, not matching tires, lots of noticeable aftermarket parts. Also I would shy away from a car with a replacement engine or transmission or half of the car has just been replaced recently (not scheduled maintenance) . After all who spends thousands of dollars to sell a 4,000 dollar car? That's a problem car. Also consider spending the money to have Volvo to check out the car.

Year 12 and 13 I have spent a rather large amount of money on my S80. Mostly I have replaced every piece of the suspension in the front, both axles, radiator and all hoses, timing belt and water pump, and the 120k service, also replaced all vacuum lines to turbo and TCV valve.

Years new through 11 were strictly wear items ie tires, breaks, batteries, oil changes, and the 60K service. Oh lots of premium fuel! LOL June