S40 (New) General : Looking for some advice (repair or sell)

[Mennox]

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice before my MOT in Feb as to whether I repair or buy another car so any help would be greatly appreciate from your experience with Volvo.

I bought my first Volvo S40 1.6 petrol (06) 2 years ago with 126k miles on the clock, it had full dealership service history and I have continued this on since (although not dealership) - its been a lovely drive with many weekly trips to Leeds and back....it is currently at 147k but has some intermittent issues over this year (I will note these below) but a couple of issues has been a new exhaust and battery (although failed battery was from new so lasted 12 years!!) and had the throttle sensor replaced (pedal itself) although I have a feeling it may be a wiring issue.

I am more than happy to spend the £500-1000 to service and repair if I know I am going to get a full year out of it but worried in case it may cost much more than this and I could have cut my loses beforehand.

Ok, the issues are from what I can gather...

- Worn suspension arm ball joints (it is noticeable in the steering) - my local garage says it will cost £120 to replace each arm...do I replace both or just the one that is worn?

- It has gone into limp mode a few times over the course of the year (especially when travelling to Leeds) and so I havent been sure whether it was the throttle sensor issue again even though the pedal was replaced or the exhaust (its likely been worn before middle pipe fell off)....however, after the battery was replaced and codes cleared from my DiCE, it has not gone back into limp mode and I have done around 1000 miles since - I havent risked travelling to Leeds so its been usual trips to work and round the doors.

- Whenever you press the accelerator, you can hear a sucking sound coming from the engine bay...however, when me and my uncle checked, we cant seem to locate it....intermittently, when during on dual carriage way, the car seems to lack power so not sure whether it is the sucking causing the issue or throttle sensor issue?

- I have noticed a fill water fluid message come up a lot now and last filled up, there seemed to be a puddle when filling up on the ground so going to assume there is a leak somewhere.....is this relatively cheap fix?

- intermittently, i get heavy steering where it feels I have flat tyres. This has been ongoing for quite a while but not sure the new suspension arms will fix this....anyone came across this before? When I asked a Volvo specialist who did my service in Feb, they said they could not find any issues but have found it was linked to battery issues...I know I have had issues with the battery for a while prior to it failing so not sure if it is now resolved and the heavy steering I can now feel is from ball joints.

- During my last Service in Feb, it was noted my front/rear pads were worn down to 50% (they actually look fine) - I have only done 10k miles since, so would these be good for another year? Otherwise this will cost £300 for disks and pads.


Apologies for the long post lol - I do love the car, and as it has hit 147k miles, I would hope I can get another 20k miles or more out of it (belt was done at 90k).....but my MOT runs out in March and I need to decide to get it repaired or take a risk and buy another car with unknown issues....I need to make this decision in 2 weeks as will need to take my private reg off this one before selling/scraping it (which I dont want to do).

[marc]

My personal view, and like I say, just my view...would be to cash in and get another car.

If you don't mind spending a bit, you can probably get yourself a good example of a lower milage S40 without half the issues.

I just see this point as an opportunity to upgrade.

Let us know which option you go for in the end.

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by Mennox

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice before my MOT in Feb as to whether I repair or buy another car so any help would be greatly appreciate from your experience with Volvo.

I bought my first Volvo S40 1.6 petrol (06) 2 years ago with 126k miles on the clock, it had full dealership service history and I have continued this on since (although not dealership) - its been a lovely drive with many weekly trips to Leeds and back....it is currently at 147k but has some intermittent issues over this year (I will note these below) but a couple of issues has been a new exhaust and battery (although failed battery was from new so lasted 12 years!!) and had the throttle sensor replaced (pedal itself) although I have a feeling it may be a wiring issue.

I am more than happy to spend the £500-1000 to service and repair if I know I am going to get a full year out of it but worried in case it may cost much more than this and I could have cut my loses beforehand.

Ok, the issues are from what I can gather...

- Worn suspension arm ball joints (it is noticeable in the steering) - my local garage says it will cost £120 to replace each arm...do I replace both or just the one that is worn?

Suspension components you replace BOTH sides at the same time
Ball joint ends are DIY , then you goto a GOOD tyre place and have the alignment done

Originally Posted by Mennox

- It has gone into limp mode a few times over the course of the year (especially when travelling to Leeds) and so I havent been sure whether it was the throttle sensor issue again even though the pedal was replaced or the exhaust (its likely been worn before middle pipe fell off)....however, after the battery was replaced and codes cleared from my DiCE, it has not gone back into limp mode and I have done around 1000 miles since - I havent risked travelling to Leeds so its been usual trips to work and round the doors.

fixed then, dont worry about it, Check with dice/vida for any fault codes, if non done

Originally Posted by Mennox

- Whenever you press the accelerator, you can hear a sucking sound coming from the engine bay...however, when me and my uncle checked, we cant seem to locate it....intermittently, when during on dual carriage way, the car seems to lack power so not sure whether it is the sucking causing the issue or throttle sensor issue?

Try checking all the air box/pipes and joints, sounds like a split hose or joint not put on properly

Originally Posted by Mennox

- I have noticed a fill water fluid message come up a lot now and last filled up, there seemed to be a puddle when filling up on the ground so going to assume there is a leak somewhere.....is this relatively cheap fix?

Windscreen washers , easy cheap fix when you can be bothered to look and fix it

Originally Posted by Mennox

- intermittently, i get heavy steering where it feels I have flat tyres. This has been ongoing for quite a while but not sure the new suspension arms will fix this....anyone came across this before? When I asked a Volvo specialist who did my service in Feb, they said they could not find any issues but have found it was linked to battery issues...I know I have had issues with the battery for a while prior to it failing so not sure if it is now resolved and the heavy steering I can now feel is from ball joints.

worn track rod ends,,

Originally Posted by Mennox

- During my last Service in Feb, it was noted my front/rear pads were worn down to 50% (they actually look fine) - I have only done 10k miles since, so would these be good for another year? Otherwise this will cost £300 for disks and pads.

Seriously , you were told "low pads" a YEAR ago and havent done anything about it ?

£150 tops for GEN volvo ones from ebay, christ on a bike driving with worn brakes for a year,,,, get a grip



Apologies for the long post lol - I do love the car, and as it has hit 147k miles, I would hope I can get another 20k miles or more out of it (belt was done at 90k).....but my MOT runs out in March and I need to decide to get it repaired or take a risk and buy another car with unknown issues....I need to make this decision in 2 weeks as will need to take my private reg off this one before selling/scraping it (which I dont want to do).[/QUOTE]


Driving with worn brakes, and faults
the MOT is not a service point, its a "this is wrong with your car"
Get it fixed properly get it serviced properly or dont drive a car


you have been driving with KNOWN worn brakes for a year,, ,,, that is not acceptable as YOU are endangering other people.

[Mennox]

Originally Posted by marc

My personal view, and like I say, just my view...would be to cash in and get another car.

If you don't mind spending a bit, you can probably get yourself a good example of a lower milage S40 without half the issues.

I just see this point as an opportunity to upgrade.

Let us know which option you go for in the end.

Thanks Marc - one I will consider

[Mennox]

Originally Posted by andy_d

Suspension components you replace BOTH sides at the same time
Ball joint ends are DIY , then you goto a GOOD tyre place and have the alignment done




fixed then, dont worry about it, Check with dice/vida for any fault codes, if non done




Try checking all the air box/pipes and joints, sounds like a split hose or joint not put on properly


Windscreen washers , easy cheap fix when you can be bothered to look and fix it






worn track rod ends,,




Seriously , you were told "low pads" a YEAR ago and havent done anything about it ?

£150 tops for GEN volvo ones from ebay, christ on a bike driving with worn brakes for a year,,,, get a grip



Apologies for the long post lol - I do love the car, and as it has hit 147k miles, I would hope I can get another 20k miles or more out of it (belt was done at 90k).....but my MOT runs out in March and I need to decide to get it repaired or take a risk and buy another car with unknown issues....I need to make this decision in 2 weeks as will need to take my private reg off this one before selling/scraping it (which I dont want to do).

Driving with worn brakes, and faults
the MOT is not a service point, its a "this is wrong with your car"
Get it fixed properly get it serviced properly or dont drive a car


you have been driving with KNOWN worn brakes for a year,, ,,, that is not acceptable as YOU are endangering other people.[/QUOTE]

Ok - appreciate some of your advice above and will look at worn track rods but dont appreciate your later comments and you could have been more tactful in your response, especially as I came here for advice.

Bear in mind, the 50% worn brakes were an advisory from my last service (also note that this car has a FULL service history and was last serviced by a Volvo specialist recommended on here)...the car will get a full service as part of its MOT in Feb....as I mentioned in my original post I am happy to spend up to £1000 to ensure the car is in tip top shape for another 1 or 2 years.

The pads and disks have been visually checked on a number of occasions and all fine with plenty left and not even remotely close to being pitted or worn so I can safely say they are perfectly legal...however, if the service recommends replacing them within the next 6 month then I will get them done there and then....I appreciate buying pads from fleabay and doing them myself (as well as doing ball joints) however, I do not have the relevant tools nor feel comfortable so would prefer that this is done at a garage....£300 for the cost includes all disks/pads and labour. It was recommended to change the suspension arms rather than the ball joints as it will probably cost more in labour trying to drill them out (I have done this before so I understand this)

Like I have also mentioned, some of my issues have been intermittent, during the course of this year I have replaced the throttle pedal, front wheel bearing, boot harness, middle and back exhaust and new battery.....at the time the new exhaust was fitted at a local garage I have used for years, they advised of the worn ball joint but said it is still legal to drive and can get replaced during my Service/MOT, my question was purely asking if both needed doing...

Again, appreciate the advise you have given so far but please do not preach at my for endangering people's lives when you do not KNOW the full facts....

[SwissXC90]

50% used is not worn to the point that brake pads need to be replaced.

I would replace at 80% worn

If brake pads last 5 years, then 1 year is 20% wear, which means from 50% down to 80% worn is another 1.5 years driving....

[Mennox]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

50% used is not worn to the point that brake pads need to be replaced.

I would replace at 80% worn

If brake pads last 5 years, then 1 year is 20% wear, which means from 50% down to 80% worn is another 1.5 years driving....

Thanks Swiss - thats what my understanding was, just wanted the views of others. Like I mentioned in my last post, if the service recommends replacing within 6 months or so then I will get it done there and then.

[Mennox]

Hi all,

I thought I would give an update - the car I was planning to buy failed its MOT on Friday with a few advisories which may cost over the next 12 months, so I decided not to buy it and get the Volvo MOT'd and serviced.

Well, after a lot of stressing based on my earlier posts, I took this car to a Good Scheme Garage (first time I have used one)....the car only failed on a couple of bulbs! There was no mention of brakes and ball joints at all....even when I mentioned it to the guy, he went into full detail (gave me a lot of confidence).

I mentioned the intermittent issues and he did a thorough check and could not find issues, even said the car was spot on....the diagnostics showed no errors (nor did it when I used my DiCE a couple of weeks ago) and I have not had it go into limp mode for at least 2k-3k miles.

Overall, I am now still very happy to be a Volvo owner and hope for another couple of years out of her.