Am I about to F**K up?

[Magyver]

I have an option on a 2002 V70 2.5t with less than 70K on the clock.
Is this going to be the worst mistake of my life or the deal of the decade?
I suspect the Timing Belt hasn't been done obviously so will have to change it but other than that "what could possibly go wrong?"
:-D

[Georgeandkira]

1) The infamous "Stop Neutral" feature MAY have been left installed such that it caused damage to the trannie's inwards. It appears that the feature was such a boner (as in bone headed) it was removed summarily around the world.

2) The previous owner obeyed the STUPID notice that the transmission fluid was "lifelong". Completely impossible. Red and clear fluid is OK. Search "correct fluid"..HINT: It ain't rocket science nor as dire end-of-the-world scenario as many say.

3) The several soldered joints in the DIM might need addressing at some point.
The production flaw here is of reformulated solder or cold joints opening -usually when the car gets warm. Removal of the DIM is easy and there are people who fix 'em affordably. You can actually live with a bad DIM if you can fathom basic fuel mileage math.

4) The old design ETM may require rebuilding when the mylar positioning strip wears. Again, removal is dead easy and companies rebuild ETMs affordably.

Beware of the "rebuild them yourself" kits said to be offered on the internet. Each time I went to look at them the sites were suspiciously shoddy looking. Still, people here have posted success with them. Do what you like.

NOTE: My 2002's ETM was trouble free through 198,600 miles when I sold the car. I am a steady driver who makes frequent long trips. I suppose goosing around town 100% of the time wears 'em faster.....probably not worth thinking about.

5) ABSOLUTELY inspect the rear hand brake hardware. This requires removal of the rear rotors. Pay for it to be done before purchase and use shabby hardware to lower the price. It isn't dear to maintain but if the brake shoe lining delaminates at speed a bunch of damage can result.

6) If the previous owner failed to change the oil or used inadequate oil there may be chunks of sludge in the engine. At 16 years of age the PCV hardware will need replacing anyway so the cost of that collection of replacement parts (hoses, catch box and clamps) and installation is coming your way. No biggie really.

Use only 0W-30 or 0W-40 oils which are turbo heat capable. Someone here will be along to give you a brand name available over there.

Bargain oils are the mark of the "dippy-doo". Don't be a dippy-doo.

7) The low mileage may not help you with the exhaust system. Frequent short trips will deposit moisture in the system so it may rot from within....again, over 16 years.

8) Pay to have the car hooked up to a VIDA at a dealership because I just had the idea that some dishonest person may have installed the DIM from a low mileage wreck into this car. They say CANBUS communications won't establish in a car so tampered with.

Cheers, G&K

[VroomVroomClonk]

The 2.5 appears to be a weaker engine than the 2.3 or 2.4 versions, and can have problems with the cylinder liners due to its extra capacity.

[BarryCambs]

I'd want to know why it has that low milage. If it's been used on short runs with lots of city driving, it's not necessarily a good thing.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by VroomVroomClonk

The 2.5 appears to be a weaker engine than the 2.3 or 2.4 versions, and can have problems with the cylinder liners due to its extra capacity.

Its fine , only with over 300 bhp around a race track it may happen , I have not come across any road cars with this problem in 15 years ..

[canis]

Originally Posted by Clan

Its fine , only with over 300 bhp around a race track it may happen , I have not come across any road cars with this problem in 15 years ..

Haha, is that old myth still doing the rounds? I rememebr people used to say that about the good old pinto engine: "The 2000cc engine is a bigger bored version of the 1600, so the 1600 is stronger because it's got more metal, init".

[big_yin]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

8) Pay to have the car hooked up to a VIDA at a dealership because I just had the idea that some dishonest person may have installed the DIM from a low mileage wreck into this car. They say CANBUS communications won't establish in a car so tampered with.

Cheers, G&K

You can check the MOT history via the DVLA and that will give you the mileage that was on the clock at every MOT for the last 10 years.

[Georgeandkira]

canis said: "Haha, is that old myth still doing the rounds? I remember people used to say that about the good old pinto engine: "The 2000cc engine is a bigger bored version of the 1600, so the 1600 is stronger because it's got more metal, init".

There might be something to that. My 2.2l Subaru engine was the big step up from the 1.7l Fuji had made for years. When the insatiable beast was again fed an increase to 2.5l was born....a leaky, rattly version of the purrrfect engine in my car.

Hopefully Volvo sized their liners right out of the box. Also, stroke can be changed to increase displacement. Anyone know?

Has Volvo developed any hypereutectic (linerless, silicon saturated aluminum) engines?

[davebb]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

1) The infamous "Stop Neutral" feature MAY have been left installed such that it caused damage to the trannie's inwards. It appears that the feature was such a boner (as in bone headed) it was removed summarily around the world.

2) The previous owner obeyed the STUPID notice that the transmission fluid was "lifelong". Completely impossible. Red and clear fluid is OK. Search "correct fluid"..HINT: It ain't rocket science nor as dire end-of-the-world scenario as many say.

3) The several soldered joints in the DIM might need addressing at some point.
The production flaw here is of reformulated solder or cold joints opening -usually when the car gets warm. Removal of the DIM is easy and there are people who fix 'em affordably. You can actually live with a bad DIM if you can fathom basic fuel mileage math.

4) The old design ETM may require rebuilding when the mylar positioning strip wears. Again, removal is dead easy and companies rebuild ETMs affordably.

Beware of the "rebuild them yourself" kits said to be offered on the internet. Each time I went to look at them the sites were suspiciously shoddy looking. Still, people here have posted success with them. Do what you like.

NOTE: My 2002's ETM was trouble free through 198,600 miles when I sold the car. I am a steady driver who makes frequent long trips. I suppose goosing around town 100% of the time wears 'em faster.....probably not worth thinking about.

5) ABSOLUTELY inspect the rear hand brake hardware. This requires removal of the rear rotors. Pay for it to be done before purchase and use shabby hardware to lower the price. It isn't dear to maintain but if the brake shoe lining delaminates at speed a bunch of damage can result.

6) If the previous owner failed to change the oil or used inadequate oil there may be chunks of sludge in the engine. At 16 years of age the PCV hardware will need replacing anyway so the cost of that collection of replacement parts (hoses, catch box and clamps) and installation is coming your way. No biggie really.

Use only 0W-30 or 0W-40 oils which are turbo heat capable. Someone here will be along to give you a brand name available over there.

Bargain oils are the mark of the "dippy-doo". Don't be a dippy-doo.

7) The low mileage may not help you with the exhaust system. Frequent short trips will deposit moisture in the system so it may rot from within....again, over 16 years.

8) Pay to have the car hooked up to a VIDA at a dealership because I just had the idea that some dishonest person may have installed the DIM from a low mileage wreck into this car. They say CANBUS communications won't establish in a car so tampered with.

Cheers, G&K

Hi what is this Number 1, "Stop Neutral" feature
and Number 2, why should the gear oil be Red,
Dave

[xco]

I would check air bags integrity as well .....I think they have to be checked or replaced at 15 years old ....something like that.