2005 S60 T5 Advice to Buyers

rerobin66 · Post by **rerobin66** » 19 Jan 2015, 15:44

As an experienced Volvo owner and DIY mechanic, when buying a Volvo it is not about the mileage on the engine that tells what the car is worth. When looking at a Volvo to purchase make sure the correct services have been performed, it is critical. If you are looking at a Volvo that is just under or is slightly over 100,000 miles and the services due at that mileage have not been completed then you are looking at approximately an additional $2000.00 worth of necessary maintenance that has to be done or your car is not going to run good for very long. If a Volvo has been well cared for the engine it’s self can rack up well over 300,000 miles and be very dependable. A couple of things included in that maintenance are the timing belt and the water pump. If a timing belt breaks it can result in a bad motor. If a water pump fails it will result in the motor overheating causing multiple engine problems. On several of the Volvo models available many have transmission problems right around the 100,000 mile mark (give or take). S80 turbos’ are the biggest portion of this group. If the S80 turbo has been gently driven (not hot-rodded) then chances are the transmission will function for some time after 100,000 miles. Here is a checklist of items to look out for and make sure they have been replaced or verified in good condition.
Besides regular oil services and tune-ups check;
Motor mounts (total of 3)
Struts and drive axles
Suspension and steering components that have rubber and joints
Rear shocks and bushings
Tires and wheels
Make sure the following have been replaced; (If the Volvo is coming up to or over 100,000 miles)
Timing belt
Water pump and thermostat
Serpentine belt
Fuel pump (located in fuel tank)
Additional items that wear with age are;
O rings in the oil sump
AC/heater blower motor
Power brake booster
Transmission
This does not list every issue you will run into with a used Volvo and does not include issues every model experiences. As always Buyer Beware. These and most used cars can be money pits.
P.S andVolvo's are rarely for beginner drivers

flukey · Post by **flukey** » 22 Jan 2015, 16:16

I am also a long time Volvo owner, I concur with your observations. In addition, brake fluid flushing, power steering flushing, and transmission flushing are equaling important. I have had oil, trans,and pw steering analysis services performed done on my beloved 98 V70. I inquired when I sent in the samples if the components being tested were within wear indicators and they all were. It just goes to show that these vehicles will last for a very long time if they are properly cared for. Great cars that will love ya if ya love them back. I could not afford to do all that shit if I could not Diy it.

Sardine · Post by **Sardine** » 23 Jan 2015, 02:04

Make sure the following have been replaced; (If the Volvo is coming up to or over 100,000 miles)
...
Water pump

I've read in the forum and other places that the original Volvo water pump rarely fails and should only be replaced every second timing belt change. Does it mean that it's ok to wait until 200,000 miles? What do you think?

rerobin66 · Post by **rerobin66** » 23 Jan 2015, 07:40

Many of the original water pumps have a plastic material for the blades, if they are replaced with an upgrade of steel they may function the life of the vehicle.

rerobin66 · Post by **rerobin66** » 23 Jan 2015, 07:52

So true Flukey. The fluids are often ignored and when they start breaking down in vehicles that are full of sensors like the Volvo it will cause those components to malfunction and or create warnings that make mechanics chase the wrong problems.