Giving up the ghost.

[IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR]

Well. this is it. I admit defeat. So far I have had this car for four months. each month I have sound at least one thing to be repaired and I feel that it is not worth the loss. luckily I didn't pay cash for this car but I did lose a reliable one in the trade. the car was taken at $1600 and I have put maybe $300 in parts and 1100 in total payments. So far I feel that I have pretty much found more problems than it's worth. in the order of most expensive. and some comments on the issue.

transmission; We all know how they are on these cars if the fluid isn't kept clean. this one definitely was not serviced, and to a point that it partly damaged third gear as noted by moderate slipping under heavy throttle. Also, I drive 18 miles to work one way. not a hard drive for the car or any car really. there are a few short hills with decent stretches between them. and then maybe 3 miles in town with 7 red lights If i catch them all which usually doesn't happen. and even so the last light is where I turn at.. If I catch 3 or 4 lights the car is shifting so badly that by the time I pull in, back up then go to D to get the car right, it takes upwards to 10 seconds to engage the gear. driving further than that the trans will go into 4th gear, lock the TCC and the in car display goes to - I wanted to take a trip or tow this year and next but this issue limits me from going anywhere even out of the county. this is the main reason I'm giving up and if it weren't a problem I would happily and enthusiastically fix the other issues.

AWD failure **pending diagnosis** There has been a metal clanking sound under light load at any speed with light throttle where the rear wheels would receive some power. It is a new issue so I've not looked into it really but after reading about all the past problems on the forums it seems like the same thing.

PCV system clogged: at 152k it is to be expected, it's not the reason I've given up and I had actually planned on getting this fixed two weeks from now when I get paid again (I worked overtime to help add to it) this helps it keep fresh oil in the system by pushing two qts out over two weeks. I call it the self cleansing oil system but I still keep to a 4k mile interval for the oil/filter

The next problems are to be expected under wear and tear but still add to the over all cost but aren't something I will repair before knowing how the trans will hold up.

front brake pads/rotors due for replacement. I suspect the front rotors are factory due to the lip on the outer edge on either side of each rotor.

front strut bearings are shot, both sides

Radiator is weeping from lower right corner at the joint of the plastic and aluminum.

heater core is possibly doing the same, after the car warms up, If I switch from cool to warm air I can smell antifreeze for maybe 3 mins, no steam but believe me when I say I am all too familiar with that smell.

from here...

I'm going to go to a few other dealers and see what they have, maybe I can find a newer year model and actually look it over but I don't expect that. the car I had is rather plentiful here and also really reliable and capable of driving till the fuel runs out but doesn't have as much utility as this one has had.

thanks for the help, If anyone has any advice, it is very much welcome.

sincerely, a 21 year old who has made his first car purchase mistake.

[oragex]

It has too many (costly) typical problems of a poorly maintained volvo. I would sell it for parts instead of trowing countless amounts of money into transmission, radiator, pcv, brakes. It will never end. Also, at this time, dealer=bankruptcy. To keep it moving, try checking the transmission level (read the how to on forums) and if required add Toyota IV liquid.

[IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR]

I had replaced the fluid back at about 151k. it's at 153k now and the problem got better then returned. but I blame the cooler weather for the problem lessening. since this post the pcv problem has worsened and it is now burning oil heavily If it's left to idle from cold start. driving out of a parking lot in 1st at about 2500 rpm fills the lot with a plume of smoke and the car stops smoking in about half a minute.

I've gotten some overtime this pay period for the pay on the 15th. I'm just going to grab something cheap for about $5-600 and fix it up. maybe an older volvo will pop up before then.

[vtl]

$500-600? IIRC, you don't have much problems with tranny when it is cold, right?...

Hayden OC-1403 oil cooler $30 + fitting $2. May be go with even bigger cooler.
Magnefine filter $10.
PCV kit full $380, or $200 w/o long breather hose, or < $100 for oil trap, gasket and some hoses only.
One weekend.

You all set.

[IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR]

the trans issues don't start until it's at operating temp. drives longer than 30 mins or 45-75 miles result in what appears to be the tcc solenoid opening and setting a trans code. and throwing in to a type of limp mode. also, third slips pretty noticeably at any temp but is worsened at operating temp. then to add the other parts on top of what the total cost of the car is. (the balance is down to 8800 or 8500). it makes no sense. and the extra money after dropping the car payment will allow me to save up for other things.

also, for the total invested amount of money after payoff and upkeep and running costs. I feel that I can get something more beneficial. but as I said in the beginning. If I knew the trans was good I would go ahead and fix the other issues. slipping is enough to warn me away while there is still time.