What did you do to your P2 Volvo today?

[Rattnalle]

I was thinking some sort of design flaw with the plastic trim allowing water to get trapped behind and not drain. I do not, for example, see any weep holes in the bottom of that trim.

I have never seen similar rust on a Volvo. That high phosphate content Swedish steel tends to resist it.

Could be that as well. It does happen though at least in corrosive climates like here. Lot of cars actually rust away enough to have to be scrapped in just ten years or so. A few bubbles on a door feels ok in that context.

[E Showell]

On mine, the whole lower edge of the door along its entire length was attempting to return to its natural state via conversion to iron oxide. Thing is, they salt the roads here in the winter, but I've never seen a Volvo on which the paint hadn't been scratched through the primer rust on any body panels. I had a 20 year old V70 5 speed that I sold to another forum member and it really didn't have any noticeable rust on it.

One thing I will say for those planning on keeping their cars for a long, long time, it might make sense to remove the lower (plastic) rocker trim running under the doors and check/treat any rust forming there. I have seen P80s rust there and you'd never see it if you didn't remove the rocker trim piece.

[E Showell]

Rattnalle -- Where in Sweden are you? I lived in Malmo as an exchange student many, many years ago. (Thorbjorn Fallldin was PM if that provides a clue to time period).

[abscate]

Ran out to Harry's U-Pull-It in Allentown, Pa. with my bro before it got hot. Pulled a ruby red metallic passenger front door from an '05 XC 70. Came home and replaced the door on my '04 XC 70 (we parked in the shade).

For XC 70 owners -- my front passenger door was rusting out along the bottom lip of the door from the inside of the car. The rust is underneath the black plastic trim on the bottom of the outside of the door. The rust is invisible from the street with the door closed, but once you open the door, it is very apparent. Check your doors for rust along the bottom.

I think i would have died in a junkyard this weekend.

[E Showell]

We got there at 8:30 and were out by 10:00.

[Rattnalle]

Rattnalle -- Where in Sweden are you? I lived in Malmo as an exchange student many, many years ago. (Thorbjorn Fallldin was PM if that provides a clue to time period).

Gothenburg, about 20 km from where these things are designed and made. We've got salt here as well both from the ocean air and the roads.

[93SCMax]

Repaired an intermittent blinker switch. Right blinker is intermittent, left works great. Used the attached YouTube video that also applies to V70's and S60's. Took less than 30 minutes to disassemble, clean contacts, reassemble and test. Better than running to the junkyard for a replacement!

[Mike Langlois]

I spent the day getting the first layers of fiberglass in the trunk area of my '02 V70 X/C; 8 hours of fiber glassing is enough, I will finish up later. Installing a large sub woofer and loud stereo in a Volvo; I am sure they will ticket the young kids in the Japanese cars, not the old guy in a Volvo. The car will have a 250 amp alternator and about 2400 watts RMS @ 4 Ohms stereo output. Mike

[cbpitt01]

Well, I didn’t do it today (last week), and I didn’t do it myself (dealer), but at 228,000 miles, I’ve had brake flush/fill, power steering flush/fill, auto trans drain/fill, fuel filter replacement, PCV service, and timing belt/accessory belt/water pump (and other little bits) replacement. I’m about 12,000 miles early on the timing belt service but I plan on a few thousand-mile-each-way road trips in the next 6 months, so I figured why stretch my luck. Car has been very good to me so far, so I figured I’d treat it early.
I know most say to stay away from the “stealership”, but I feel Paramount Volvo (Hickory NC) has always treated me fairly on service prices, and they did it all in 1-1/2 days. The final price came in several hundred dollars less than I expected.
Ready for another 120,000 miles (on the timing belt, at least)!

[abscate]

Well done , Tar Heel

That is Much cheaper than 5 years of car payments!

DRove the P2 from NY to VA and back this week. Sweet cold SC and 31 mpg at speed

NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC...and back