2002 Volvo V70 1+ year ownership "Silver Bullet" Update

[@AllCarswithJon]

Quick update on the 2002 Volvo V70. It's been 'reliable' from the perspective it starts every day, but after a year of ownership it's been "throwing codes" from the ECM (a $2500 repair!) and a recent but easily fixed oil leak. I'm just not sure this'll make it the next 4-ish years to get my son through college.

[@bayareanewman1566]

I had a 2007 V70. In 2009, a drunk driver T boned us going 45, slammed into where my wife was sitting on the passenger side (he ran the stop sign and the cops literally took beer cans out of the car) she had to be taken out w/ the “jaws of life” tool. The fire firefighters later told me had we not been in this car, she would have died instantly because of the steel beams in the door. It still took her 6 months of recoverers. I had a broken nose and ribs, but did much better than her. I had my two kids in car seats in the back who had zero injuries. VOLVO FOR LIFE

[@AllCarswithJon]

Wow, thanks for sharing man!

[@74Husky]

My university classmate's daughter walked away from a head on collision caused by a drunken driver, She walked away without injury. The police stated if it wasn't for her old Volvo she most likely would have not survived. I only learned about this after she heard about my Volvo collision experience. True Volvo performance that one hopes they will never need.

[@tobias_dahlberg]

My father was in a horrible accident where he was t-boned by a timber-semi-truck in his Volvo V60 (around 2012) or so when that new generation was out. He had previously worked at Volvo Cars in Sweden and Volvo does actually investigate accidents with their cars when they can and if they are interesting. He had some friends who told us that he indirectly saved his own life. He was chief of an engineering department working with the steel construction of that specific vehicle. He had told the team that he was not satisfied with the Side impact protection results and they delayed it to get it better (in true Volvo fashion). Few years later he is working somewhere else but driving the V60, gets into a side impact collision having "indirectly" saved his own life a few years earlier. This is one of the most amazing stories I know. Horrible situation but very cool. Their culture is amazing. It all revolves around their principles, and ever since the beginning, safety has been a number one priority - and you can really tell that it still is to this day. Everything they do must be in line with these principles.

[@AnythingGasoline]

I have a 2002 v70 2.4 170bhp. 160,000 miles and still runs like a champ

[@jonbrowning6839]

As far as swapping it out for something else, Toyota is the best choice. My gut feeling is that four years of daily driving will cost upwards of $5k in repairs for the Volvo.

[@rnt45t1]

Nice car Jon!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Yeah we like it. Just increasingly not as confident in it for the next 4-ish years.

[@TheWwong]

Is it possible there is excess crankcase pressure pushing oil out of the worn filler cap due to blockage of the pcv system?

[@BrokenArrowGarage]

exactly what i was thinking!

[@74Husky]

Needs to be tested to rule out. Can be an expensive repair, but worth it if the car is in good shape!

[@addiewinnie]

When I was a kid in the 80s my parents had a ( brand new) 1984 Volvo 760 wagon and a ( brand new) 1987 Audi 5000. The Volvo was a much better car, than the Audi !!’ But the Audi was nicer but Very problematic!!! My mom got a 1991 the Audi was traded in for a new Acura Legend, it was a great car!!! It was so nice and reliable, to this day my parents only buy Honda products!!!! ( the Audi was traded for the Acura) but they kept the Volvo wagon for years!!!

[@PhilDykshoorn]

l drive a Volvo v70, 2003 5-speed, (owned by me now for 12 yrs) and l firmly state that this car is worth investing in. Although the car will always have issues with this and that (such as exterior paint flaking off the hood as the clear coat dries up), l attest that the these v70s start instantly in the coldest or hottest day, are completely reliable (drive to and fro to work everyday, mixture of city and highway driving). The suggestion that a newer car, (which is built more cheaply), in my estimation, will not be as reliable and as a well-built as a Volvo that is older. l plan to keep my Volvo for as long as possible.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the comment!

[@davinp]

Why can't America have station wagons? Toyota offers a Corolla wagon in some European countries, but not in the United States

[@AllCarswithJon]

Because we don't buy them. As good as they are, people would rather pay for a small SUV

[@mybigfatpolishlife]

I'm totally with this guy I don't want the extra bulk of an suv a wagon is perfect wish there were more sold in America

[@SimeonToko]

Slowly begin changing seals and gaskets each month or so until he leaves for school. Used cars are often thought of as payment free. They are free of a note but there will be periodic mechanic repair payments.

[@AllCarswithJon]

This was my take-away from this incident as well. :)

[@hotelworker812]

Even though Volvo are fairly reliable, they do tend to be rather expensive to repair when they do break. I still lean towards the Japanese cars.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I do as well, but finding a cheap and reliable car was near-impossible, and certainly not one with silly miles on it. This came our way and we couldn't pass it up

[@hotelworker812]

@@AllCarswithJon The cool thing about Volvo is how well they do in accidents. Hope they kid never experiences that but it's nice having that piece of mind.

[@74Husky]

I can confirm that after our 2007 S60 was totalled by someone running a red light at high speed. Did not get any injuries, but bent our Volvos frame. I was amazed that my car still drove and nothing leaked! Because of that I bought another replacement Volvo. This one is made in South Carolina, USA. Initial opinion is the quality seems a lot better than under Ford owner ship. I love it, only time will tell its' durability. With Chinese ownership they seem to have given the Volvo engineers and designers free rein.

[@alwaysfixingsomething2855]

Bought a 01 XC70 AWD turbo in 2015 for $900. had 191K miles Was throwing a bunch of codes for timing issues, but ran well. Did the plugs, timing belt( was in shreds!), changed the 16 quarts of ATF, all fluids, and a front right axle. Its now at 255K miles. Drive it daily.. The starter dropped dead earlier this year, a few years back the ecu coolant temp sensor shorted out. Thats about the worst. Was one of the better purchases. Though there are some odd things. After starting, you have to flick the headlight switch on, and off, to get the digital stuff to light up. After being off about 25 minutes(when we used the AC), the interior fan will come on. Have to turn key on to stop it. If you change that trans fluid( Mobil 3309), along with the power steering( CHF 11s). These cars are rock solid. I think the ecu lives out under the hood, behind the passenger headlight, in a box with a air snorkel. I'm certain you could get a used one, it would have to be rekeyed to your car though. No matter what, these are way better than the crap being pumped out today.

[@74Husky]

I have found that like older German cars the electrical connectors can get bit funky. Check for corroded contacts. Clean them and use a silicone electrical contact protector. I find a lot of German plastic parts do not age well and fall apart. Older Volvo's used many plastic components manufactured from German autopart manufacturers. BMWs and Mercedes suffer from this same problem.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

But unfortunately like Mercedes Benzes,Volvos are quite pricey to maintain and repair..... I occasionally drive for a local Mercedes dealership and you should see how high some of the repair bills are for some of those!!

[@g-mang-man7924]

My 04 ES 330, has 161k on it, have had it for 4 years, and have only changed the oil. No leaks, has Michelin tires, and waiting for 180k to replace the T belt

[@74Husky]

But you won't find a low mileage one for $5,000!

[@g-mang-man7924]

@@74Husky Not today, but I paid 4,000 for it at 125,000 miles at the time! Owner's wife couldn't drive it anymore, failing eyesight. I have a stack of maintenance records, every 5,000 miles at the Lexus dealer in Wilmington Delaware. I did the 150k service myself.

[@robertalshamma-oo3sh]

Haha! I worked at a Volvo dlr when these were new. Oil leaks, warning lights, transmission failures, throttle modules, door locks, ABS issues, control arm bushings, tie rods, fuel pump recalls, leaking fuel pump flange seals, etc.!!!!! Good job Ford!! Yes they bought, owned and trashed and cashed the soul of Volvo! Still, despite all the shoddy components, one of the best cars in which to survive an accident. High strength boron treated steel in the body, amazing.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Not reassuring to keep long term...

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Sounds like it has been an ideal car for your son while he's been going to College...

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Unless... It begins nickel and diming him to death and it's no longer cost effective to keep it running...

[@AllCarswithJon]

I suspect it'll one day be a sudden and catastrophic end.

[@jameshastey3058]

I had a Mazda MX-6 that did the thing with all the dash lights on - and after days of troubleshooting it turned out to be that the connector on the ECM had started to work itself loose from the ECM - it was literally just barely hanging on. After I reseated the connector, all the lights went off. Hope that helps.

[@AllCarswithJon]

hmmm, thanks!

[@mikaelandersson1288]

Volvo used to be good quality but that was before it got bought up by Ford. As an example, the Volvo 240's engine lasts one million kilometres if you change the oil when you are supposed to... what modern car engine has such durability?

[@roketfingers]

volvo was still amazing when it was owned by ford... it was when it became a chinese company when they started making turds

[@mikaelandersson1288]

@@roketfingers How could it be amazing when it was using crappy Ford parts?

[@roketfingers]

@@mikaelandersson1288 crappy Ford parts? Lol guess again. They were still solid with Ford. They became shitty when they became Chinese

[@Candanciee]

We have the same problem and took it to a vovlo dealer and was told the same thing...replace the ecm but $$$ and not worth it. But found it is a common problem with volvos, and it is actually the solder connections on the back of the instrument panel. There are several DIY fixes on youtube. But.. We found a place in Missouri that also has a youtube video about the issue...you can mail the instrument panel to them and they will fix it and replace all the bulbs and mail it back to you for $150.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Interesting to know!

[@keithbainbridge4964]

I drive a 2001 2-4 T volvo & its a simple job to check to see if it is the pcv valve problem pressureizing the engine & forceing out oil, a known annoyance with them blocking up with carbon, to do a very simple test remove the oil filler cap, clean & dry the outside of the neck then put a vinal glove over the upstand for cap & either use a rubber band or tie it on, then start engine & watch the glove if it starts to inflate its the pcv valve problem, if it tries to suck in the glove then pcv valve & pipework is not the problem, hope this quick test helps 👍

[@AllCarswithJon]

Great suggestion! Thanks!

[@lukemallory7832]

All the Volvo white block engines leak like that, sadly, no matter the engine size or car it's in. I have a 00 with 120k miles on it in great shape. Replace your PCV system - it's no big deal. Standard change on any car. At 51k miles, that car has a lot of life left in it. If you're getting funny lights coming on, make sure all of your ground connections are good and clean, and also do a health check of your battery. Even if the voltage is strong, it may not be charging correctly. Also, contrary to comments below, this was a Volvo. It was designed before Ford arrived and in fact Ford bought Volvo because of this P2 platform. The later 2007 S80 / V70 were Ford-ised. Stick with it and, as you get to know the car, problem-solve, and become more mechanically-minded, your son will learn invaluable information which he can apply to other aspects of life.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Instead he bought an old Saab and I'm going to be getting the Volvo ready to sell. 😉

[@lukemallory7832]

@@AllCarswithJon I own 4 Saabs, so I can't fault his taste in cars..! Which model? A 900? I still vote you keep the Volvo - they don't make them like that anymore.

[@AllCarswithJon]

@@lukemallory7832 He got a 2000 9-3... with a manual. :) The Volvo takes up a lot of space and as much as I like it, I'm not letting it sit in my driveway and pay insurance on it! LOL

[@lukemallory7832]

@@AllCarswithJon Fair enough, though I'd still keep it and store it somewhere without insurance. I also own a 2000 9-3, though mine is auto with the B204e lpt engine. FYI, the turbo went at 108k miles and the fuel pump at 120k - they go on them like clockwork. If I had it over, I would have done a fuel filter replacement earlier and don't let the fuel level get low. It's a weak point on the cars, and as with all modern cars, the fuel in the tank acts as the coolant for the pump - so no fuel = no cooling of the pump. Also check your vac lines and PCV check valve. Non-starts to look out for - if the car cranks when warm but doesn't start, that can be caused by the crank position sensor. The ignition cassette can also give out after a while, causing no starts also. I would probably do the coolant and thermostat too. And again, check your ground wires - I've also had non-starts due to corroded grounds, especially the one in the boot behind the tail lights, which grounds the fuel pump. Good luck with it : )

[@AllCarswithJon]

@@lukemallory7832 Thanks, appreciate it!

[@mumwifeteacher]

Why not a 20 year old Corolla? Volvos of the era are notoriously expensive to repair.

[@mumwifeteacher]

@@sebatarth162 my sister had a 03 Volvo wagon awd and repairs were nuts. 3 or 4 times the cost as my dodge caravan and more often but even with broken 4 wheel drive she still was able to find a buyer. So there is still demand. I love the Volvo 240 wagons and turbos.

[@AllCarswithJon]

The biggest reason is the price/mileage calculus. My son needed a car and we looked for months (literally). I'd be happy with him in a Corolla or Civic, but when we bought this a year ago, prices were stooopid high unless the car had just silly miles on it. I have a high opinion of Volvo overall, so when you find one with about 50k miles on it for the price, we grabbed it. Remember: this was like $5k. Leaves a few dollars for a few repairs. And, let's face it, as a dad I'd rather my son have a wreck in a Volvo than and Corolla. So the age of the car and potential cost to repair (we're kinda handy) are worth the gamble. At least so far.

[@74Husky]

Volvos suffer from high depreciation, so you get a quality car for less. That is why I look for used ones. But with any machine be prepared to invest some cash into repairs. I have found most modern cars parts are pretty costly and if not the labour costs will kill you! Find an independent Volvo specailist, they often know how to repair these cars using some more reasonable options. I stay away from AWD vehicles, too complex. Wait until all those new AWD vehicles age, we will see a lot of very costly repairs occuring. These AWD vehicles use more fuel, require one to replace all 4 tires at the same time! Parts and service are much more costly with their complex drive trains.

[@jamesmisener3006]

Volvo in the 60s were half million plus mile cars. We had a customer with a B series I think it was with 900,000 plus miles on it. In the early 70s. Not any more. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@74Husky]

Volvos of this vintage can last a long time if taken care of and not abused. A bit more complex than those 1 million mile models. When Ford took charge of Volvo a lot of parts were made cheaper and designed poorly and did not hold up. My experience with Ford products is the accountants override their engineers .

[@lukemallory7832]

Nothing wrong with these white block engines, and I have seen them north of 300k miles. I own one with 120k miles on it and the engine is certainly not the issue.

[@kevingross7082]

2002 V70 nonturbo 346,xxx

[@chrisbaskett808]

That is a common problem with volvos That seal goes bad. easy fix

[@AllCarswithJon]

I mentioned two! Which one are you referring to? (I'm assuming it's the turbo oil line return?)

[@chrisbaskett808]

I am talking about the seal on the oil cap. you don't replace the cap, just the seal. I have an 04s60r

[@michaelbogdanowicz5059]

No Volvo for me I’ll stick to Honda

[@mybigfatpolishlife]

I'm thinking about a 2015 v60