Volvo XC90 V8 Cost of Ownership - How Much is TOO MUCH? Transmission Replacement Drama

[@DavidBello]

UPDATE: 205,000 miles Valve body still makes a shake under 2,000rpm at light throttle (that’s torque converter lockout engagement lower limit I think) and it hasn’t gotten worse since this video was uploaded 20k miles ago

[@JJRamirezP]

Good info you have there David, good to know you are keeping the xc90. Expensive repair though. I have an XC90 2007, AWD 2.5T. Until now I have done repair maintenance that I never dreamt to do. The first thing I did was replace the entire PCV system, dismounting the manifold, fuel rails etc. Then I replace all the front suspension parts, shocks, mounts, lower arms, ball joint, etc, including the disk brake, all brake pads, the rear shocks. Then it occur to me I could do the timing belt replacing, since it was leaking from the front retainers. I bought a camshaft blocking tool (Volvo knock off) plus all the seals and gaskets, including the oil pump seal and gasket. It took me 3 full days, to replace the 2 front camshaft retainer seal, the timing belt complete kit, a new water pump, the oil pump seal and gasket. All following the Volvo VIDA software instructions, plus a couple of youtube videos to compare procedures. As I said, I have never done mechanics before, just spark plugs change, and I tell you, very easy to follow instructions from the VIDA. And there is still 2 pending jobs, one is to put the AWD system to work again, and there is a minor leak from the turbo and is not the returning oil line gasket, is coming from the turbo impeller. So Volvo is easy to work and i thing the 2.4 and 2.5 engines are the best since 2007 ahead, and if it is natural aspiration even better. We had a 2008 2.4 S40 no turbo, front wheel drive, a very nice car.

[@DavidBello]

Wow I’m glad to hear you had the courage and patience to take on these jobs. Bravo! These are great cars for those who tempest them well, and I hope it treats you well in return. Thanks for sharing and for watching :)

[@Burritosuupreme]

Thank you for doing the break down on costs associated with newer Volvos. Before I watched your video I was grousing over spending another $150 on my 245. Now I don’t feel so bad and now I’m even more committed to keeping mine going to avoid bills like that. Sorry you had to go through that though.

[@NLDMesa06]

I love my XC90 V8. It has 81k on it but this video doesn't create a rosy glimpse of future ownership. Especially since I can't do any of the work myself.

[@LLG47]

What a nightmare

[@jfv65]

Trade it in for a Lexus. Seriously. I used to own a 2000 V70-T5 and it gave me lots of trouble with the trans, expensive throttle body and more. Tbh, it put me off of newer Ford/Geely era Volvo's. The last true Volvo was the 850. I owned a t5r and it was pretty much trouble free except for a leaking rear main seal.

[@ryanwilson6162]

I've never been able to own a used Volvo (2012 XC90 I6, 2008 XC90 V8, 5 850's) for under $250-300/month (average) maintenance costs. I think it's why their resale is so low. Unless you work on them yourself, they are very expensive to own. A few years ago it would have been about the same price to drive a cheap new subaru or similar car. But I think today, in this car buying environment, you probably still come out ahead driving a used Volvo.

[@morstyrannis1951]

Hair cut looks good, Dave. Any Jesse Pinkman sightings? Sneaky Pete? Badger?

[@patrick89109]

Really Nice car David! Hope you can drive it without issues for a long time now. Good luck!! 👍👍💪

[@JohnRogers0014]

I have 2 v8 Volvo's the xc90 was a Transmission saga also, always do the timing chain seals when you do you valve covers.

[@samgrieg]

GM tranny?

[@LLG47]

You don't have to compare the ownership of this XC90 with a similarly ridiculous proposition of leasing a XC40 that's new, you need to compare the cost of ownership with a 2008 Honda Civic that will produce literally none of these issues. It's either a dollar issue or it isn't because we all know what the proper financial answer is and it isn't spelled 'Volvo'. I really love Volvo's especially the old ones but if I can't work on it myself it's just a non-start because of how much money this maintenance is.

[@clonetrooper576]

yayyyy my fav xc90 on the internet is BACK

[@andunabu3238]

2009 XC70 D5 with >200k miles. Repairs = none. Usual brake pads etc no bushings bearings etc, all original. It’s used on a farm, tows every week, and I drive it hard but respectfully. Almost as good as my last 940TD I got straight 6 diesel sold at 300k and again was bulletproof. Only sold it for the AWD XC70. Always felt the 90’s were ‘soft’.

[@RustyRations]

wow , that is a lot of money . I lost track how much I have in to my $750 2000 s80 T6 . I'm pretty sure I have over $5000 in to it. I had paid about $3000 to have the GM transmission rebuilt. but other than that I have lost count . But in the 5 years of owning it , only broke down once when the fuel pump died and for that it's been the best car I've owned so far. Best of luck with your XC90.

[@wanderpup]

My '01 v70xc rebuilt tranny procedure cost $4700.. totally worth it since the car cost $250.... but there were just a "few" other deferred maintenance items too.

[@volvodt]

Here in Sweden, we don't drive with those lights on. We drive with dipped beam and parking light (is the small one in the middle). Where it shines on yours is our high light. Nice to know, I think

[@daliborsacaric5258]

The brandon frase was the best in it... Have a V70II 2.3T5 with 430tkm, still same engine and auto-trans... every 40tkm goes the oil out of the trans.. works fine no problems..

[@alexj6408]

These XC90s are only viable if you do all the work yourself - including transmission work! I spent $14000 in one year just on parts on mine, and it only had 138,000km on it.

[@rubendamian8636]

Wau. I think that 70% of the costs represented only service labor

[@tirivaenim]

Ouch. That’s exactly my mileage on my S80 with a gearbox issue🥺😭

[@steffenrosmus9177]

If you außerdem your car yes, my XC 90 has now 345 789 miles and no problems.

[@Parknest]

I'm coming up to 12months of XC90 ownership and I haven't spent anywhere near as much on repairs. The purchase price for mine was £2000 It has the 2.4 D5 engine mated to an Aisin transmission which is a bit more bulletproof than the GM transmission that is fitted to the V8. I hope your transmission problems are finally over.

[@DavidBello]

This is the Aisin 6 speed TF80SC that was used from 2005-2018 in all sorts of Volvos (plus Ford, Toyota, Mazda, etc)

[@samgrieg]

@@DavidBello V8 puts out too much torgue for TF80-SC? Probably why they fail more in V8s

[@samgrieg]

​@michaelknight1980What was the fix for transmission slipping issue?

[@stevevarholy2011]

IIRC, the V8 XC90s were the problem children and that the 2.5/Aisin Warner 5-Speed were less troublesome. Then again, most cars would have already been scrapped after 180k miles. At least that is what I tell myself every time something on my V70 breaks.

[@DavidBello]

This is the Aisin 6 speed TF80SC that was used from 2005-2018 in all sorts of Volvos (plus Ford, Toyota, Mazda, etc)

[@macalvarezLA]

Wow that's deep. I'm eyeing the same car. This makes me want to back out.

[@drunkpacman]

I love the interior of these!

[@Schwedenstahl245]

The rear shock repair on the S60 is not that hard if you have a lift, power tools and an assistant. Replacing the exhaust manifold gaskets is not a difficult job and is something that you could definitely do, to save yourself some money.

[@saschageier]

interesting. own a xc90 (2008) as well. 13 years of owning it. Haven't had huge rep.costs. usual stuff, expect the V-belt ripped off ( 5-6 years old ). you really have an extensive list of costs. got 265K KM of usage.

[@gl69my]

I'd keep my xc90 v8 for at least 5 years. (And then and then too)

[@edwinthomas618]

Great video. Get a V70R and you storage and get exactly what the S60R offers.

[@jaleger2295]

4800$ for a V8 XC90? Damn. Here in Russia they go as low as 10 and high as 25k 🗿

[@SUCIT-q5v]

Also hunt for OES vs OEM

[@lexomotorsports]

Gonna buy 1 for my wife I like them 👍 from new mexico

[@travisstankowski7495]

Don't give a damn. Love my 90 v8. Yamaha engine. Sounds great.

[@chrisdoe6890]

Does the V8 have a timing chain or timing belt as far as maintenance ?

[@DavidBello]

Chain

[@finance5186]

Hmm I don’t hear a lot that is specific to the car model. Sounds like a lot is bad luck/mechanic struggles.

[@danmusicman2010]

Well could pass for one of the superman relatives or doubles IMO .. But Seriously I own this xc90 V8 model but in a 2010 version,think the gear box had a upgrade in the 2009 onwards but as soon as I got my baby at 138,000km I did a series of transmission refreshes (about 10 times I rekon) and put a little tube of Lube Guard instant shutter fix and my little flare from 2nd to 3rd went away, that was 3 years ago, and that's all I've done, bar the valve cover gaskets and powersteering recondition, have a very small oil weep still coming down from just behind the oil filter area but too small to worry about, maybe timing cover area or powersteering related.. Here's what I've done to muffler to bring out the V8 tone kzbin.info/www/bejne/m53XlZaemq6dgKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppizq4x3jpZ4nqc

[@legambaz]

Is that an original Volvo factory Red? Looks awesome!

[@piotrpacheta6123]

I hope money from KZbin c cover all these expenses 😎👍 this video reminds me my "journey" with nissan and its CVT transmission 🤢🤮

[@warntheidiotmasses7114]

The new cars are crap. People just need to force these companies to start making the cars they made back in the 1990's. If everyone banned together and boycotted all the manufacturers,.... because what do you expect going forward? Shite EV cars?

[@piotrpacheta6123]

@@warntheidiotmasses7114 exactly, i just remind mercedes 3 gear automatic gearbox which is robust lika a tank !

[@warntheidiotmasses7114]

@@piotrpacheta6123 Anything with a Chrysler Slant 6 and 727 Torque Flight auto. Old VW Bettles, 2.5 Toyota diesels from the 1980's. Volvo 4 cylinders All these cars would last 30 yeears. If they were serious about Green those are the cars we would be driving.

[@davidbradford6076]

Can someone please tell me what the "W" button on the center console of my xc 90 means?

[@seanm3ify]

Winter mode

[@michaelwise6970]

I loved my 2009 Volvo $80 4.4 more when it still had a warranty... Now it's a love and hate relationship. 😁

[@GothKid1996]

Wait Jesse?

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

I'm sorry, but would You've put Your money into a nice manual P 1800 ES or an P 221, You had a perfectly usable California beater easily able to make it within the speeds that are, as I hear, not yet prison-prone, and You could do a maintenance in an hour and a "severe" repair during a weekend Yourself. Same goes for the 245/265 Wagons, almost no matter what engine as long as it is a manual. That V8 is, as long as it runs, probably a nice little bragger, while it becomes (as You just showed) quite the paperweight in no time once it doesn't any more want to run. Stick to the generally overengineered sixties products of Volvo and kick the PAG-Chinesium to the curb! I own a lorry (212 d Sprinter 1999), a station (S211 320 cdi 2003 ), a Series Landy (88 2.5 n/a diesel 1971), a DS 21 M 5 (1972) and a couple Alfas, Lancias, and other glamourous Italian scrap value paper weights, along with the motorcycles I do not count as "transportation" in my area (Bavarian Alps). The runner of that fleet? The Landy: No comfort, no A/C, no real heater, slow (too slow for German Autobahn anyway, slow enough to have no need for balancing wheels ....), every part three to ten times overhauled, massaged, changed or rebuilt ... it does what it shall and never fails. The next one? The Citroën. I got her in France from second owner who was daughter of first owner, got her for a song back then. Never overhauled, never rebuilt, just maintained and sometimes repaired and driven with no mercy. The Sprinter is fairly easy, too, but already an OBD-car. Not good. At least not as good as the earlier versions. And do not get me started on the T-Model Mercer. Too young, too complicated, too prone to little problems causing bigger problems that cause catastrophic problems, and that's a one-owner car with a full service book from Mercedes and not one other place in 18 years until I got it. I kept doing that - bringing her to Mercedes. With what I have in that car over three years, I could have run the rest of the fleet for a decade easily. Just saying. You are the one understanding and ruling the sixties (and seventies) Volvos. Why wasting money and effort into a characterless, modernist thingy like that V8 XC Hockey-Mom sled? No harsh feelings, thanks for sharing, cheers!

[@johnnystock7294]

Whatever ended up happening to your BMW Z4 I’m doing my water pump. Thermostat, oil filter housing gasket, and entire radiator/ac condenser assembly…

[@DavidBello]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3vQeHR3r8aJlas

[@kinggmamba2462]

Wait a minute 😮

[@warntheidiotmasses7114]

Geez bring back the 1990's cars, the ones Obama paid us to crush. Gee.. do you think they pulled a fast one on us?

[@djkasdjkasdjdjdj]

california shop are rip offs

[@eyesopen6110]

Do the brakes yourself

[@sddriver]

Love the updates! I dread the day I have to do the front timing seal on my XC90. Looks like a time consuming job to do. These are definitely vehicles that do need more maintenance, but they are very rewarding to drive on the road.

[@martij30]

Well these costs are a bit skewed, this is after 180000 miles after all. I don't like the SUV types because they usually require more maintenance. I still think that the 900-series is the best car (Volvo) ever produced and would make the perfect daily for the next 30 years after a semi-restoration.

[@mountaincat23]

Just put "Antique Historic Vehicle" plates on my '97 960 in excellent condition and only 150k. Expect another 25 years and 150k. Cost per mile will be fractional and enjoyment of driving a solid million mile car...priceless!

[@martij30]

@@mountaincat23 That sounds awesome! I'm planning to get a 960 or V90 classic myself (not sure which one I want to go for yet), restore it on a technical basis, make it very rustproof etc. and then drive it for the next 30 years or so until we're no longer allowed to purchase gasoline. The basic plan is to have the car in a better shape then it left the factory. I also plan to have a 2.3 16V Turbo redblock spare engine ready for when the 6-cilinder might ever fail, which it probably won't.

[@richgallagher725]

you have to consider your enthusiast value. An enthusiast would appreciate that this is a classic design with V-8, particularly if it’s an R Design. Red also helps fuel the passion

[@DavidBello]

Did the R design ever have a V8 option or are they all the 3.2 inline 6?

[@richgallagher725]

@@DavidBello Yes, absolutely R designs had the V8 option. They are pretty rare these days, I think there’s only one for sale in the ENTIRE country on Autotempest.

[@richgallagher725]

It’s clearly the best/nicest option in the XC90 line, it’s like Volvo’s MSport (BMW)

[@alliao82]

@@DavidBello yup Japan had 30, I imported one to NZ, though I think the difference is not really huge, the dash and uprated front suspension components, I don't think the engine was remapped or anything, the transmission limit is same as engine's output...

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

In summary: Catastrophic (unfortunately). Best regards, luck, health and wisdom.

[@westnylefx]

I just bought one of these, cars. electric silver. I have to do the Valve cover and timing cover gaskets.

[@teamground0229]

Beautiful vehicle, but the Volvo suv's are in the class of luxury - BMW, Range Rover, Mercedes, Porsche. With all the high costs of ownership. I would like a V70, but would budget a transmission into the project for sure. Sticking with my 89 244. But even that $500 244 has become a $3800 investment over 3 years. Glad you like your XC90 and s60r. In the end, its about enjoying it.

[@howesitgoin739]

I was thinking the entire time..... This is why we can't have nice things. My dad owns 2 same issues. Just wow.... Looking forward to seeing more 164 videos as well. Thanks for the videos.

[@SUCIT-q5v]

Volvo will do new transmission with lifetime parts & warranty for $3000

[@andybaker5787]

Nice to see you back

[@muthaflaco75]

I have a 2007 XC90 V8. No trans problems thankfully, but I do have the leaks, and recently a check engine light for lean condition. Traced to a vacuum leak. Getting the pcv/hoses replaced as we speak. $1500. I'm in your same boat about getting a new car, not worth it since I own this outright. $6k 5 years ago. It's been a good car all these years except I had a serp pulley fail and the belt came off. All new pulleys/tensioners/belt. I need to rebuild the whole front suspension still, get a new steering wheel (originally an arizona car, wood trim is cracking off), and get the ac recharged. Thanks for sharing videos on yours. These are definitely cool cars that fly under the radar.

[@DavidBello]

I still drive mine every day and love it to bits. 203,000 miles now I think they’re worth it! Thanks for sharing

[@westreadway6934]

Did you order yours with 2GB of RAM or 4? After 2 years, is this still working well?

[@daliborsacaric5258]

I know this is not a rule what you have to expect on every car, but it helps me to figure out if the xc90 is for me an option.. I do repair all by my self, but the size of this car and costs, while it is still the P2 technique, Tyrecosts, Brake costs, 4x4 gerabox and accesserie costs in service... it is a big differenz to a standart S60T or V70T as it seams... Thank you for your passion, I as well do not except a projekt dies, but in between it should run as well to be on a just oilchange and plugs service.. for a while 😂

[@juanosorio]

Just when I thought I spent way too much money getting my 240 up to spec I see this.

[@A.RI.EL.]

Nice intro !

[@vulk86]

Cool! 30k subscribers!

[@MichaelSmith-cl1uo]

here I am with my p2 v70 Volvo ... 325000km ..... hand me down put 2000 into it for repairs... love the car....

[@heregoesmike]

I may have laughed out loud at your expression in the mirror at 4:35...

[@Jushwa]

YESS! She lives! ❤️

[@mayflowerlash11]

XC90 V8 lovely car but the repeated repairs, ... ouch. I'll stick with my 940 thank you. I hope the repairs stick and you get smooth motoring for a while. Cheers

[@Tomaluck]

I was an owner of this model and has sold after half year. 4.4L Yamaha motor

[@warntheidiotmasses7114]

I thought the yamaha motor was ok.

[@keithjacob6912]

can anyone answer me the diameter of the flange on the catalytic converter of a 2006 s60 2.5T?

[@rex_s80]

Do you mean the inside diameter of the pipe used on the stock exhaust?

[@keithjacob6912]

@@rex_s80 that would be correct, i have a pretty bad leak, and for the time being plan on hanging a pipe up by myself until i have the money for oem replacement

[@rex_s80]

@@keithjacob6912 if you mean the part of the cat where it’s a flange that connects to the midpipe that goes down in size afterwards? Then it’s about 66mm inside diameter according to my caliper gauge.

[@keithjacob6912]

@@rex_s80 okay amazing thanks so much, planned on doing it this weekend

[@rex_s80]

@@keithjacob6912 where do you live? You could put a cheap sport cat on there to get by. Absolutely no cat will be very loud tbh. I got a cat that slips over that pipe a bit and I welded it on. It was like 50$ and had a 5 year warranty I think.

[@2605155]

2:02 haha ha

[@DavidBello]

Thank you! Finally, Someone.