What did you do to your 850/X70 today???

[ITSv40]

Well, the last couple of days have been a bit of a roller coaster ride.

Got delving in under the bonnet cleaning things up and in the process removed assorted fittings to gain better access. Eventually got down to the bottom radiator hose that looked in a sorry state - had gone soft and squidgy with a proper muffin top around the jubilee clips. So fitted new top and bottom hoses, flushed the system and re-filled with antifreeze. While I had got access I decided to flush the brake and clutch fluid, no idea if and when it was last done -although the car has full Volvo and indy specialist service history there is no mention in the paperwork.

Set up the pressure bleeder, set to 15psi and soon nipped round the brakes and flushed them all through. The clutch was next - check fluid level in the bleeder, a little low but plenty there as the clutch system doesn't hold much- start bleeding and wasn't long before it was sucking air, stopped quickly, topped up the fluid and carried on. Bled the air out and about a quarter of a litre of clean air free fluid and thought 'job done'.

Carried on re-assembling everything under the bonnet - fired her up and went to put it in gear and no clutch - pedal to the floor with no resistance at all. Strip down re-bleed - about half a litre of clean fluid, no air, still the same - no pedal.

Left it overnight, no leaks anywhere and still no pedal. Bled another half litre of fluid through and again no air came out. Tried the pedal while the bleeder was still pressurised to 15psi -perfect good pedal as previously. Let the pressure out the bleeder and very little pedal. Started the engine and tried the gears - a little clutch feel but not enough to release the clutch and gears impossible to engage - but better then it was.

Went and bought another litre of fluid and flushed all that through, no air at all, not even the slightest hint of any fizz. With the pressure bleeder connected a good pedal, without, very little pedal. Tried the gears again and just managed to put in gear and run out of the garage and in first and back in again, but very notchy. Decided the master cylinder must be faulty and would need to change. Then 'er indoors said 'why don't we do the two man method like we always used to' so to keep her happy said 'yes, why not'.

Got it all set up and got her to push down once while I open the nipple. three inches of clean fluid comes out - no air. Nip the nipple up and say 'do it once more' 'I can't, I've lost the pedal' came the reply. Sure enough the pedal was stuck on the floor, gave it a tug and up it popped. Bled it one more stroke and again three inches of clean air free fluid came out. Decided it was definitely the master cylinder at fault. Connected the pressure bleeder to show 'er indoors how firm the pedal was. Sure enough a firm pedal and no problem. Gave up at that point convinced the master cylinder was faulty.

Started tidying up and for some reason tried the pedal. It was firm and appeared to operate as normal. Started the car, put in gear - like a hot knife through butter, reversed out the garage and then in first and back in - perfect gear change. In and out about fifty times and no problem at all - not sure what the neighbours thought, but hey ho.

So now re-assembling everything else - front bumper back on - and waiting for a dry day to properly road test. At the moment it appears the issue is solved but no idea why it has taken so much air free fluid through the system nor what has happened to miraculously have a working pedal again. But I'm sure someone does.

[volvoid]

What did I do ? Nothing - again. This happens a lot. Apart from driving it a few miles to go out, and then to come back again.

[Richard_TD]

Turned 217k.

[Volvo V70 diesel]

I've cleaned the front ABS sensors. Trouble shooting with board lights disappeared.

[ITSv40]

Finished off re-fitting everything under the bonnet and front bumper. Bled the power steering after the fluid change - all nice and clean green now and 'burped' the cooling and checked the level. Just waiting for dry salt free roads to properly road test. Good job I'm in no hurry

[ksmi]

VERY NICE!!!!!!
seems a pity to get her mucky.

regards,Keith.

[Clogs]

After having the tailgate sag and fall on my head for a few months, plus needing a long stick to keep it up - I got around to putting in new struts in and now it stays up beautifully. But it needs a slam to shut properly.

After having put new bits in to stop the tailgate back cover rattling, slamming it has made the rattle come back. Any solution for this?

[DaveNP]

I took mine for an MOT and it passed. It did give me a little worry when I took it in as the handbrake suffers from not gripping in reverse on occasions. I replaced all of the rear brakes about 18 months ago, readjusted the handbrake twice and yet it still plays up, when the weather warms up I think I'll probably pull it all apart again for some more detailed inspection. Recently it's been OK so I wasn't too bothered until I pulled up at the test station and tried to park on the gently sloping car park, facing uphill it just gently rolled backwards! A fine time to play up! They only test the brakes for going forward so it must have been OK on the rollers.

[ITSv40]

Well, roads were dry today so road tested the convertible. After all the issues with the clutch during the fluid change, pleased to say everything is ok, infact, it is even better than before. Light and smooth operation and a delight to use. It may just be me, but the power steering also seemed lighter following the fluid change.

I fitted a strut brace just before Christmas and today is the first time I have driven the car since fitting. What a revelation! 90% of the scuttle shake has disappeared. Just enough now to give the car some character.

All in all, very pleased with the result.

[Clogs]

Wonderful to be able to brake in the snow and stop with barely a slide. Vredesteen Wintrac Xtreem tyres on a spare set of wheels (5 incl spare) mean you sail up and down hills in country lanes that other cars cannot get through. The trouble is the people in front... slow coaches with no grip.

Went in the fast lane on the motorway where hardly anyone went on almost virgin snow ... no problems at all, and then a lot of the slow coaches creeping along in the gritted slow lane decided to follow seeing that as this was OK for me, it must be for them as well. Motorways are fairly flat so 3-6 inches of snow isn't a problem for most vehicles. 3-6 inches enables you to go 40 mph easily with winter tyres. Then had to turn off before my usual exit as the radio and sat nav said the next bit was blocked by jack knifed lorries and heavy snow falling. then a crawl behind the over cautious - it only takes one to go 15mph on treated roads as if it were an ice rink, and it all tails back. There was nothing icy about the salted and gritted road into town at all.

In Austria last year it was quite hairy seeing natives hurtling down the winding narrow snow covered roads from the ski resorts - coming towards you at 40-50mph, but they're used to snow and we aren't.

Presently the sun is shining, and outside is a winter wonderland with snow on the trees and branches, and it's very quiet... amazing how snow dampens noise.

1999 V70 T5