I was asked to give an opinion on a the above car as a possible donation to a friend's student son by a friend of ours. He did not want to offer it without s check over as he did not want it to be a burden for repair.
I know I can be over critical, but this car is being used on the road! I was horrified when I saw a few issues. The owner did send a list of issues he and his wife were aware of, but they were actually mostly smaller stuff + tires + windshield.
Below I have amalgamated the lists and it makes interesting reading to me as how what on the face of it looks like a nice car and how quickly it can become a financial anchor!
2002 Volvo V70 XC – Known Issues
Mechanical
1 Needs wheel alignment - Inside rear tires are wearing badly - Can't see an obvious cause. Volvo mechanic friend to check.
2 Generally runs really good, but occasionally runs rough and then fixes itself. Shouldn't be the plugs, which were done at
320,000km. (Plugs life span?) Could also be a flakey coil pack, one of which has been replaced. (Multiple engine codes)
3 Engine Burns one liter of oil between 12,000 km services. (Not concerned)
4 Transmission replaced with used at 280,000 Km, has a rough 1-2 shift especially when hot. (check software + oil change)
5 Summer tires are bald. One has been run flat or near flat and should be looked at before driving much further. (Tires are
dangerous and not driven on!!) 2 are 13 years old and 2 are 10 years old!
6 Winter tires (not bald) on separate rims need balancing (No issue - have balanced and fitted)
7 Passenger mirror has been replaced with an aftermarket mirror. Goes out of adjustment every time car is started (Find used
one – not critical)
8 Drivers door window up/down button flakey. Especially in cold weather. Needs a good wack sometimes to operate. (find OE
used at junkyard)
9 Need to check PVC system, as camshaft seal recently went. Has been replaced along with timing belt, etc. (Need to do PCV
glove test - see later notes on oil leaks)
10 Engine light is on - O2 sensor (confirmed – no signal – replace)
11 Brake light warning comes on when braking. Light does work, it's just an LED bub that doesn't draw much current, so the car
thinks it's burnt out. (Replace bulbs)
12 Drivers interior door handle broken. It's Mcgivered to stay on. (find used – not critical)
13 Rear Wiper broken off – (Part # 9485166 – Arm, 9139570 – blade)
14 Drivers Seat Heater not working – (non-issue – will check system)
15 Windshield badly cracked – ($270 + tax from Cal-Alta)
16 Headlight wipers do not function – (Not critical)
17 Leaking oil on pipe from turbo to intercooler (at front of radiator) – Clean and monitor
18 Leaky A.C pipe? – Clean and monitor
19 Lower torque mount – (Totally failed – Replace)
20 Oil leaking in area above LHF axle/trans – (Clean and ID source)
21 Oil leaking from Power steering reservoir – (replace – used/new)
22 Oil leaking from front of engine on crank pulley – (Clean and monitor source)
23 Shocks – Fronts blown and rears sweating – (Replace + upper spring seats)
24 Brakes – All pads and rotors worn out/bad + check RHR caliper – (Replace)
25 Muffler system – Front + rear mufflers leaking – (Replace)
26 Suspension – All mostly good – (Have mechanic friend check rear bushes on trailing arms)
27 Fuel filter – YIKES! Really rusty and flaking – (Replace ASAP!!)
Cosmetic
1 Hail Damage – (minimal – non-critical)
2 Protectant film on hood disintegrating. Could probably be removed (non-issue, can be done or not)
3 Several dents. Could probably be removed with PDR – (non-issue)
4 Missing several miscellaneous interior pieces are broken – (can be fixed over time)
Electrical
1 Radio occasionally changes stations on its own (Can be fixed or not – junkyard)
2 Dash Light that illuminates the transmission position (D,R,etc.) and outside temperature is not working - (investigate)
Some scary reading in this! I used to estimate on a minimum of $2500-3000 CDN to bring a car up to my preferred condition. This could easily exceed that by a chunk. I'm going to have my mechanic friend go over this list and see if he needs to add to this list or advise to live with and monitor any stuff.
I have not gone through the car with a fine comb to check for any other stuff, but see no point until we decide what we are going to do with the car. Options are the owner fixes some of the car and then passes it on with a list to the young guy to invest into over time as he is looking for a cheaper car to run than his 94 GMC truck.
I'll let you know how this works out.
Neil.
