98 XC70 Cracked coolant cap and other issues

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 09 Oct 2014, 18:43

Hello all,

I am interested in buying this 98 XC70 with 134K miles on it, has some issues and wanted to get you guys opinion if anything is serious. We made the deal for 1000 bucks and will be getting it tomorrow based on the advises I receive from you all.

Here are the issues,
- Coolant cap is cracked, it spilled out coolant when run, then I replaced it with my xc90's cap and ran it for a few minutes, no issues, I was just worried about the pressure build up in the coolant and having a head gasket issue. The engine oil seemed ok, no water.

- ABS, Track off check engine lights on.

- Scanned the car and got 3 codes, two were for O2 sensors and the third one was coolant temperature sensor.

- The power steering fluid pump is also leaking according to the seller, and the oil in it was milky.

What you guys think?

Thanks so much in advance....

Post by **rspi** » 09 Oct 2014, 18:48

I would drive at least 20 miles to make sure your cap holds the level down.

ABS is easy.

Sensors are no big deal.

If the fluid get low it will make it foamy sometimes. Could be a bad pump. Top it off and see if that makes a difference.

Post by **erikv11** » 09 Oct 2014, 18:59

You have no way of knowing about the sensors, they may need to be replaced or they may not. You will have to tidy up all of the vacuum lines, clear the codes, then see what comes back.

It's probably going to be another several hundred dollars to get it back together right, this sounds like a typical low-maintained vehicle purchase. Has the timing belt been done? That's another chunk of money.

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 09 Oct 2014, 19:02

He had the car for only a year, I asked the question but didn't know when it was replaced last.

I will test drive the car tomorrow with the good cap on to make sure it doesn't overheat or anything.

Thank you guys.

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 10 Oct 2014, 13:03

Hello again,

Here is the update, drove the car with the good cap on and after 5 minutes of driving the coolant light came on, headed back to the seller's place, 2 blocks before his place I had to pull it over because the car started overheating. Opened the hood and it busted up the top radiator hose area. One of the codes I was getting was the temperature sensor. Do you guys think that is why it busted up the radiator? I didn't buy the car but if replacing the radiator and the sensor would solve the problem, I am still interested in buying it.

Thank you again..

Post by **dosbricks** » 10 Oct 2014, 13:59

Sounds like a cracked head gasket leaking combustion gases into the coolant jacket and over pressurizing the cooling system. Personally would not buy this car.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Oct 2014, 16:57

I agree, sounds like a head gasket issue.