Looking at XC-90's

Post by **aktie9** » 15 Jun 2011, 10:06

Thanks I'll look around some more here & see if I can find the thread. I'm curious cause I have found a few with that engine/tranny combo. Since I don't drive all that much (1-2 days per week, maybe 1 day on the weekend) it might be nice having the towing ability that a V8 provides.

Wonder if that balance shaft is something that could be replaced. I think I read somewheres.. that the T6 engine tranny combo had some update that they could do to them that fixed their issues as well. Something like the plate between the engine & tranny being weak & it could be updated by a tranny shop for a beefier one. That balance shaft for the 05's might have it been something to do with failing if the vehicle had it's engine detailed by the Dealerships? Like water getting in & rusting it out? Something that they changed for 06' & drilled a drainage hole? I'm probably remembering this wrong tho.

Post by **Volvo4251** » 15 Jun 2011, 11:05

I like my 3.2 AWD 7-seater, although that engine is only available 2007-up. It's been absolutely fantastic!

Post by **aktie9** » 15 Jun 2011, 11:13

Thanks! That's good info to have. Try finding one from a person selling one around here tho. Impossible! I'm finding all kinds at used dealerships & they are almost always are the wrong model (T6) or v8 (05') or the right year, model with the special extra: 'a ridiculous price tag', hence my line of questions. Might have to go out of Massachusetts/ New England to find one with a good price & the right model.

Post by **Volvo4251** » 15 Jun 2011, 11:19

From just seeing listings on the internet, be wary (cosmetically) of the older XC90's '05 and older. A lot of them have headlights that "cloud" up, and because of the family nature of these vehicles, some model's leather is just trashed. XC90's already have VERY finicky leather anyway, so just keep an eye out!

outrigger777 · Post by **outrigger777** » 16 Jun 2011, 06:06

The later '05 v8's were fixed. I've seen an engine number posted somewhere (maybe this website) above which the counter balance problem was fixed. If your engine number was lower, then you had the problem. Drilling a whole in the engine block to allow for drainage was for the earlier models?? Memory is a bit foggy on this, but I think it was $3000 to fix the counter balance shaft, and $5000 to replace the engine if the shaft failed. A lose-lose situation.

I've seen suggestions that the T6 transmission problem was fixed, but nothing conclusive. Almost all that I've read or heard on the topic is that it is NOT fixed. There's a reason you find a lot of used T6 xc90's for sale. It is true that some people have not had problems with their T6 transmissions--some into very high mileages--but many have had multiple failures. It's a very expensive proposition to replace a transmission.

Post by **aktie9** » 16 Jun 2011, 09:54

I'm very definitely steering away from the T6's at all cost. I think even if I were to find one with a very low price tag & the issues having being fixed. I'd still be wary, worried for the future, since I do keep my cars an extra long time! I'm looking for a v8, but will likely get a 3.2T instead. I'd be psyched with either. I know it's very expensive to change a tranny. It's something my husband & our friend a mechanic can do & I've seen them do it--it's just a pain in the neck that most folks would rather not see. That all said, I should go looking in the forums & find out the transmission fluid change intervals for these, AFAIK that is the best thing you can do for a tranny, any tranny & do it often & check the fluid colour changes at the very least & then have someone change the fluids. I think it's something you should stay on top of & do early & often. Even more so than oil changes, especially if you use synthetic oil--that stuff can handle a few extra miles, tranny fluid from what I've heard/read--when in doubt, change it out!

Post by **gshadow325** » 17 Jun 2011, 20:07

today i hit 156,000 miles = 13,000 in 10 months and it has 19,000 miles on the 3rd tranny. going to see mickey mouse in 6 weeks and i have no hesitation to take the T6. The "right" T6 is out there

Good luck in your search. If you are not pressed for a vehicle, wait and the right one will find you!

Post by **aktie9** » 18 Jun 2011, 12:33

That is really really good to know, TY gshadow325. Congrats on the milestone--that's excellent news! I didn't mean anything by that statement, about the T6's, BTW. I just cannot find anything conclusive about the T6's. If there was a solid fix that I could figure out.. I might go find one, as they are priced lower--from the few listings I've seen, than the 3.2's/v8s. -At least a few of the listings I've found--so far. I also sorta eliminated them from my list, since I have limited time to find a car & go looking/ test driving them. read: very hard to find a babysitter for two active boys.

Looking at XC-90's

Re: Looking at XC-90's