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V70 TDi, keep it going or trade it in?

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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 00:06   #1
MikeS100
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Default V70 TDi, keep it going or trade it in?

Hi all,

After a bit of advice on the V70. It's a few miles short of 150,000 now and I've been running it for the last 50,000. When I got it the previous owner had neglected it and it hadn't had an oil change for about 2 years/20,000 miles. It's got accident damage down the side and is pretty basic spec. The plan was to just run it into the ground for as long as it would last. To be honest I didn't really bother with it too much to begin with and left it a bit long between services myself only doing it once a year instead of the 6 months I think it should be. The thing is I've become rather fond of it now and even with it being neglected a bit it's been very reliable in the time I've had it and much more than my previous Mondeo which I traded in for the C70 recently.

But here's my issue, the previous neglect has obviously taken it's toll, it wasn't so bad before on cheap castrol gtx 5w30 oil but since I serviced it a couple of weeks ago and put in decent shell helix hx7 10w40 it's smoking constantly. It seems to be a mixture of blue and black but is there all the time on tick over and driving along whereas before it was only really noticeable on start up. The timing belt is due on it and I've been qouted £508, but I'm wondering if it's worth it. Does it matter if it's smoking all the time or is it past it's best in which case I should spend that £500 towards a newer version? It still drives really nicely and has masses of power and low down torque, it's just the constant smoking that has got me worried. I've also noticed the oil pressure light stays on for a couple of seconds at start up now whereas before it would go out straight away.

So what do you think? Get the timing belt done and not worry about the smoke? Get the timing belt done and change the oil back to 5w30? Or trade it in while it still runs and get something newer?
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 00:59   #2
warninglight
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I'd be inclined to hang on to it! By the sounds of it you're not likely to get much of a value against another car at a dealers.

My S70 smoked pretty heavily the whole time I had it, sold it at 190k and it was no worse for the smoke. Still got 45mpg in all conditions and even managed to get 60 showing on a run once. It was crash damaged (slightly) when I sold it and it really was difficult to sell, but even now almost a year on it's still soldiering on!

They're tough as old boots. If it's still driving alright I'd be inclined to get the timing belt done, but then you could continue the run it into the ground philosophy and just ignore the belts. If it snaps, so be it...
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 01:18   #3
MikeS100
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I just logged back in to say as soon as I posted that I kind of regretted it, I really don't want to see it go! It is still so smooth and such a nice car to drive, and like I said the power is still there. So I think rather than should I sell it or keep it, the question should be how can I stop the smoke?

Anyone have any ideas? Could the change from 5w30 to 10w40 explain the smoke? If anything I would have thought that would make it smoke less as it's thicker.
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 01:58   #4
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If it's still as smooth and quick as you say then I shouldn't think the pump timing can be far out at all. Have you noticed any oil consumption since changing oils, is it more than it used to be?

I always attributed the smoke from mine to be worn injectors, never had cause to investigate further though. They do all seem to be smoky these days, when I spot a ph1 V70/S70 in the distance I can immediately tell if it's petrol or diesel, usually right too...
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 08:45   #5
MikeS100
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I haven't checked to be honest. My driveway is on a slope and I live on a main road so to get it level to check the oil I have to either get the ramps out or drive it to a side road and as it's the Mrs car I'm not out in it much. I'm going out in it tonight though so I will check the level and see if it's gone down much. I did wonder about the injectors, only £100 for 5 replacement nozzles so once the timing belt is done and I've got a bit of money I might have a go at them and see if that helps.

What I'd really like to do is get it all sorted and then start using it as my commuting car. It's auto so good for the traffic and I do 15,000 miles a year so I'll push into the high mileage club and see what it will do The wife only does a few thousand so she can drive the C70 and keep it's mileage low. That's the plan anyway
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 09:38   #6
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I'm in the exact same situation chap (see my thread!) with mine. Bought for a grand 2 years ago, done 45k since with relatively little complaint but now a succession of injection pump issues and a possible failed pump... plus MoT is looming (needs the handbrake doing and a lower arm) plus tax is due in July. Add to that the clutch is properly heavy and the main timing belt is well overdue... it just doesn't make financial sense to spend £500+ on it when really the car's not worth that. Then again, I love the old thing and I know I'd forever regret giving up on it but I just can't but help think it's not worth spending that sort of money on. Sods law I'd spend a few hundred and the bugger would lunch the clutch or snap the belt a week later....

Bloody cars...
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 11:48   #7
blackrevolver
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My timing belt is also due, but £508 for a timing belt? is that not a tad excessive? I’ve been quoted £100 for labour if i provide the timing belt kit (with water pump).

I also have to get some other stuff done, but the way I view this, is if i sell the car on the cheap then I have to enter the used market again, looking for a well looked after car, from a owner which isn't taking the **** or trying to sell a dud.

None of the money we spend adds value, but surely no one has bought a s70, v70, or 850 to add value? even new cars decrease with value, so all cars in my view are "money pits" as virtually no one gets their cash back on what they spend, I just enjoy driving my S70 and would rather keep it running if possible.
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 21:35   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbodave View Post
it just doesn't make financial sense to spend £500+ on it when really the car's not worth that.
Why do people keep banging on about this. It doesn't make financial sense to keep the car when it's due an oil change let alone anything else !!

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS100 View Post
Hi all,

After a bit of advice on the V70. It's a few miles short of 150,000 now and I've been running it for the last 50,000. When I got it the previous owner had neglected it and it hadn't had an oil change for about 2 years/20,000 miles. It's got accident damage down the side and is pretty basic spec. The plan was to just run it into the ground for as long as it would last. To be honest I didn't really bother with it too much to begin with and left it a bit long between services myself only doing it once a year instead of the 6 months I think it should be. The thing is I've become rather fond of it now and even with it being neglected a bit it's been very reliable in the time I've had it and much more than my previous Mondeo which I traded in for the C70 recently.

But here's my issue, the previous neglect has obviously taken it's toll, it wasn't so bad before on cheap castrol gtx 5w30 oil but since I serviced it a couple of weeks ago and put in decent shell helix hx7 10w40 it's smoking constantly. It seems to be a mixture of blue and black but is there all the time on tick over and driving along whereas before it was only really noticeable on start up. The timing belt is due on it and I've been qouted £508, but I'm wondering if it's worth it. Does it matter if it's smoking all the time or is it past it's best in which case I should spend that £500 towards a newer version? It still drives really nicely and has masses of power and low down torque, it's just the constant smoking that has got me worried. I've also noticed the oil pressure light stays on for a couple of seconds at start up now whereas before it would go out straight away.

So what do you think? Get the timing belt done and not worry about the smoke? Get the timing belt done and change the oil back to 5w30? Or trade it in while it still runs and get something newer?
These cars, or these engine's i should say are renowned for smoking like hell, especially when under hard acceleration. I'd say not to worry at all about it, it's perfectly healthy. As long as your not using large quantities of oil between changes then no probs.

Just for comparison, for £600 I had the timing belt done, including all new rollers and tensioners, water pump, rear main seals and oil pump seals, ip roller and tensioner and belt, so if £500 is for the timing belt alone then i'd say this is a bit steep.

150,000 miles is nothing for these engines, 300,000+ is easily achievable.

With regards to your oil light, I too have noticed this... mine always stays on for a second or so after the engine starts... check your filter... apparently genuine volvo or mann filters have non-return valves in them to stop the oil draining back out of the filter (as it's mounted sideways), other brands dont seem to have this so some of the oil drains back out of the filter when the car is stood. Bet the oil light goes out straight away if you stop the car, then fire her up again 5 minutes later ?

Mine runs on semi 10w40 always has and uses no oil at all between changes (every 7000 miles). However a recent post on here raises some speculation as to what oil is best for this car, apparently volvo recommend (according to Clan) a fully synthetic 0w30 !!
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 22:43   #9
MikeS100
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Thanks for all the replies guys. Went out in the V70 tonight, started her up from cold and then went to look at the smoke out the back, today there was nothing! Even got the Mrs to blip the throttle a little, not a whiff of smoke at all! One thing I will admit to though is I have over filled the oil. Got it on level ground and checked and it is above the max so the extra smoke could just be that burning off. I did the same with the C70, it's because my drive is on a slope and I thought I had compensated correctly but obviously not. So I will get the excess out and see what it does then.

Every time I drive it though it makes me smile, the power of the diesel combined with the auto box makes it such a great car! It's not as powerful as the C70 obviously, but in a lot of ways I enjoy driving the V70 more.

For the timing belt price, this is through a Volvo main dealer as I know the dynamic pump timing has to be set up properly and there are no volvo specialist independents near me that I know of. If I could find it cheaper and would be confident it was done correctly that would be great, but I just don't want to risk messing it up. I think I will carry on with it and get the belt done, I would be very sad to see it go and it's just had 4 new tyres, a new track rod and the tracking done so spent a bit on it already recently.

I'll let you know what happens once the oil level is correct!
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Old Jun 5th, 2013, 00:22   #10
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Don't overfill the oil, especially diesels, it can be catastrophic especially on diesels if it leads to run away (ends up burning it as fuel in an unstoppable manner).

When I had to do my oil changes on a slope, I used to put in oil till it just showed on the bottom of the dipstick, the very bottom not the low mark (about 2/3 full), then drove it a couple of hundred yards to the flat and topped it up there. Yes I did drive it a few hundred yards without enough oil in it, but for that short a distance and time <3 min it didn't matter.

Sounds like you like the car a lot. Although it doesn't add value if you sell it, that's not the point, you're not doing it to sell it. Ask the question, how far would that money go on another car, how much more would you need to add to it to get the next car, and then what would you need to spend on the next car? People often move them on when service items are due, so you could be in the same position, even if they say they've been done, you don't know if that's true or how competently.

Just some thoughts, hope that helps
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