It’s been to the moon, will it come back? No it’s fucked a month after purchase, great buy.

[Tamworthbay]

Shame I don’t still live down the A5 at Higham or I’d have fitted the belt and pump for you, Clive...if there’s anyway to get it up to me in Burnley, I’d be more than happy to stick it up on the two poster and sort it for you over a weekend?

If that is possible that would be amazing, I am not sure if it would make it but have RAC so can get it to you one way or another. PM me how much it would cost, happy to pay.

[Lacquer Peel]

They quoted genuine Volvo bits as they say they have had issues with aftermarket water pumps so won’t fit them, I guess that could add a bit. Labour is only £45 an hour which doesn’t seem bad.

Neither Volvo or VW make their own parts. You can buy a Dayco water pump and timing belt kit for £100 on Autodoc or a Contitech set for £20 less.

I believe you're paying extra to buy parts made by a company like Dayco or Continental but in a blue box with Volvo written on it.

 

As far as timing, a careful mechanic should be able to change the belts without disturbing the pulleys.

I changed the belts on my V70 TDI, but I am clumsy and messed up the injection timing, I eventually got it right.

You can use a brass door hinge to lock the cam.

 

I sheared one of the valve cover bolts doing the job and it was pissing oil out, I used a piece of wood and rags to stem the leak, but didn't refit the injection timing belt cover, one of the rags ended up in the belt and threw the timing off. I tried for ages to get it running again but gave up. That was down to my own stupidity though.

[Richard]

Worth a look for sure, looks a shit of a job to get it all on. Daz has given me a heads up on someone who may be able to do it. How easy are they to time in properly? Lots of info seems to suggest they are a right bastard.

 

The guy who did mine said the trick is not to lose the timing in the first place, which means being careful about locking and marking stuff before you dismantle. If you achieve that it will start and run fine. You need diagnostic software to set the pump timing properly, a £10 FTDI cable and some knock-off software will do the job. The physical process of adjusting the pump timing is dead easy.

[Tamworthbay]

How about getting something like this kit at £120 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371734789963 and finding somebody cheap to fit it? At least it would make the car usable.

Are the Gates ones worth the extra money? Claim to be ‘original’ sort of

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-VOLVO-V70-2-5TDi-140bhp-1996-2002-TIMING-CAM-BELT-TENSIONER-WATER-PUMP-KIT/302855551386?fits=Car+Make%3AVolvo%7CModel%3AV70&hash=item468398f99a:g:gXsAAOSwkjBbfp82

For £60 extra would it be worth forking out on?

[Richard]

They probably are, I just picked the first cheapish kit with water pump as an example. 

[Tamworthbay]

I fucking love this place, a couple of years back I did a small favour for Neil, and it turns out just when I need it most that favour is being repaid and then some. Looks like the Volvo will live again after some surgery in Burnley.

[Tamworthbay]

I think it’s trying to repatriate itself by moving towards Scotland...........

[Bren]

Our 3.0 vectra developed an appetite for coolant. Head gasket or egr cooler - both a pig of a job - head gasket replacement would have cost around £1600. It was punted on and still on the road - probably thanks to steel seal.

 

As for the specialist only using genuine parts, its because there is a lot of shite knocking about.

 

Keep your pecker up.

[Shirley Knott]

I fitted a Gates Powergrip belt on the 940 because I rate them but it only cost £11, if there'd been a big price difference I'd have happily fitted a Contitech or any other recognised brand tbh.

 

The tensioner I bought was genuine Volvo and came in a box of new old stock from eBay, it also had an INA stamp on it so as others have mentioned Volvo parts aren't necessarily made by Volvo.

 

I don't know much about this particular engine but if they're anything like other VAG stuff of this era with mechanical pumps (VE/SDI/D) then yes, they're a bit of a faf to get right but are possible to do without relying on VAG.COM. It's nice to have but not essential.

[Tamworthbay]

Had another offer of help from someone very local to me, again someone I have done a couple of tiny favours for in the past but nothing compared to what helping me out on this would be. It could make logistics somewhat simpler but it seems that the beast is destined to live on one way or another.

[The Moog]

That's great news!

 

I would be happy to come and get the car, drop it to Neil and then take it back over a weekend if that helps.

[Tamworthbay]

That's great news!

I would be happy to come and get the car, drop it to Neil and then take it back over a weekend if that helps.

Thanks mate! Will see how it all works out and be in touch, if that worked out you could get the MX5 box

[The Moog]

Not a problem. I can just leave my car with you and then swap on way back.

[Jim Bell]

This place, etc.

[Tamworthbay]

This place, etc.

Too right mate, cannot explain how much this means at the moment.

[purplebargeken]

This place really is....... excellent.

[Pat Earrings]

This thread is turning out to be the true essence of autoshite. I love it .

 

If I can help in any way to get you up there too, let me know.

[Tamworthbay]

Just waiting for the go ahead to order the bits and this could on for Saturday less than a mile away from me. Will,obviously stick loada of pics of me passing spanners and making tea.

[Datsuncog]

Good to hear this one may live on! Other than the pump business, it does look very lovely.

 

Some cars just love to embarrass their previous owners, mind. I bought my Alfa 156 JTD sight unseen from a colleague, on the strength that he knew Alfas inside and out and had been dailying this one for 9 months with only a split turbo hose causing grief. It seemed a good 'un, with only two previous owners and in full Veloce trim.

 

In a matter of weeks it blew its radiator, popped a brake pipe, the fuel tank dropped sideways due to rotten mounts and it started weeping oil down the back of the block. The electrics went screwy, the brakes started binding and ultimately the gearbox became so sticky it required two hands and much force to shift.

 

£1500 completely down the shitter. My work colleague was beyond mortified when he heard the tale of woe; the thing had been pretty much faultless in his care.

 

Ultimately R9UKE of this parish kindly took it out of my life and left me with a battered but ever-faithful Laguna in exchange.

 

Unbelievably, the bastard Alfa was still alive a year or two back. Even though I'd had to throw a bottle of K-seal in it myself just to limp it off the motorway hard shoulder.

 

Cars can be wankers. Luckily, the folks on here aren't.

[forddeliveryboy]

Had another offer of help from someone very local to me, again someone I have done a couple of tiny favours for in the past but nothing compared to what helping me out on this would be. It could make logistics somewhat simpler but it seems that the beast is destined to live on one way or another.

 

With most cars this age and mileage, faced with a bill for as much as it's worth when right I'd be finding another and forget whatever money it owed me, and not bother being too pissed off with the previous owner(s) either. That in itself saps energy you need to sort things out and it's possible the K-seal was tipped in years ago.

 

However these old beasties are well built from good bits, ours (2.5d auto) has covered 60,000 hardish miles (from around 160k) in three years without putting a foot wrong, other than clanking front doors and a sticking front caliper. I don't really like the front suspension stiffness but other than that, I can't really fault it. And I'm a really harsh judge of cars.

 

So if the engine isn't worn (which no ancient 5 pot Audi dizzler should be at that mileage if it's had oil every 6k), there's no rot (I've seen them as crusty as an old Alfa in the rear chassis legs when they've towed a lot) and it's not struggling to beat 45mpg (auto, 50 if three pedals) driven under 80, it's probably worth it.

 

There are Gates kits including WPs on ebay for £120 if you use the correct numbers (KP55323XS-2), if you buy (on ebay) a Contitech cambelt and tensioners, a Volvo-boxed WP and Gates fuel pump belt it's possible to source the lot with change from £100 for a decent bottle of wine.

 

I'm no longer a member of TPS, but I bet any trader on here who is could get the kit for an even more sensible price.

 

Good luck, just make sure the work's done right, these aren't quite as simple as a 4-cyl VAG and spot on timing's critical, but the engines will do 400k+ (I've experience of this in A6 C4s) with ease and it seems to me the old V70 is every bit as tough as the Audi, with added boxiness.

[garethj]

Hopefully this will work out for you and three cheers for the helpers. My V70 Tdi is trucking along nicely and I think they’re a reliable car for the money they’re worth. Mine did 400 miles on Saturday, the last 200 were on very quiet roads where it sat comfortably at 100+ and still gave loads of mpg.

 

Keep us posted with progress

[Tamworthbay]

Parts are secured and on their way:

[djoptix]

This thread is an emotional rollercoaster.

 

Really feel for you, am self employed too, can sympathise.

 

I try not to worry about whether fixing a car is the "right" thing to do. (There is no try! Only do, or not do). The fact is, cars are unpredictable. New expensive cars are unpredictable; old shit cars are unpredictable. If you spend £500 and a weekend sorting this, it might shit itself next weekend. Or, it might work reliably for 10 years. There's just no knowing. I work on the basis that over time, and many cars, things will probably work out. Over 10 years and a lot of cheap cars, I believe the shite approach works. There are just a few ups and downs along the way. The alternative is paying much much more for your transport, and what would you get? You'd still have the possibility that it goes bang, you just might get a courtesy car while it gets fixed at vast expense. My mate's daughter has a Disco Sport on PCP. She pays £550 a MONTH. Fuck that shit, man.

 

In poker terms, you went all in on a hand that should have won, and it didn't. Now you're in turmoil - this is called "tilt", and it makes you prone to bad decisions. The real issue is, if the hand was good, going all in was the right thing to do.

 

Has this car been unlucky? Undoubtedly.

Could you have known beforehand? Doubtful.

So was buying it the right thing to do? Probably yes.

 

 

Or, look at it this way. If the weekend's fixing doesn't work out, bridge it, buy that Saab that's for sale on here. Hakuna matata.

[Tamworthbay]

Good to hear this one may live on! Other than the pump business, it does look very lovely.

 

Some cars just love to embarrass their previous owners, mind. I bought my Alfa 156 JTD sight unseen from a colleague, on the strength that he knew Alfas inside and out and had been dailying this one for 9 months with only a split turbo hose causing grief. It seemed a good 'un, with only two previous owners and in full Veloce trim.

 

In a matter of weeks it blew its radiator, popped a brake pipe, the fuel tank dropped sideways due to rotten mounts and it started weeping oil down the back of the block. The electrics went screwy, the brakes started binding and ultimately the gearbox became so sticky it required two hands and much force to shift.

 

£1500 completely down the shitter. My work colleague was beyond mortified when he heard the tale of woe; the thing had been pretty much faultless in his care.

 

Ultimately R9UKE of this parish kindly took it out of my life and left me with a battered but ever-faithful Laguna in exchange.

 

Unbelievably, the bastard Alfa was still alive a year or two back. Even though I'd had to throw a bottle of K-seal in it myself just to limp it off the motorway hard shoulder.

 

Cars can be wankers. Luckily, the folks on here aren't.

  

With most cars this age and mileage, faced with a bill for as much as it's worth when right I'd be finding another and forget whatever money it owed me, and not bother being too pissed off with the previous owner(s) either. That in itself saps energy you need to sort things out and it's possible the K-seal was tipped in years ago.

However these old beasties are well built from good bits, ours (2.5d auto) has covered 60,000 hardish miles (from around 160k) in three years without putting a foot wrong, other than clanking front doors and a sticking front caliper. I don't really like the front suspension stiffness but other than that, I can't really fault it. And I'm a really harsh judge of cars.

So if the engine isn't worn (which no ancient 5 pot Audi dizzler should be at that mileage if it's had oil every 6k), there's no rot (I've seen them as crusty as an old Alfa in the rear chassis legs when they've towed a lot) and it's not struggling to beat 45mpg (auto, 50 if three pedals) driven under 80, it's probably worth it.

There are Gates kits including WPs on ebay for £120 if you use the correct numbers (KP55323XS-2), if you buy (on ebay) a Contitech cambelt and tensioners, a Volvo-boxed WP and Gates fuel pump belt it's possible to source the lot with change from £100 for a decent bottle of wine.

I'm no longer a member of TPS, but I bet any trader on here who is could get the kit for an even more sensible price.

Good luck, just make sure the work's done right, these aren't quite as simple as a 4-cyl VAG and spot on timing's critical, but the engines will do 400k+ (I've experience of this in A6 C4s) with ease and it seems to me the old V70 is every bit as tough as the Audi, with added boxiness.

I have tried to avoid going into too much detail and don't want to now, but suffice to say there is a difference between cars that go wrong and cars that have faults that have been actively covered up, obviously you don't always know by whom or when so I won't comment further. The former I can Live with, the later stick in the throat more.

[Rocket88]

It is a motoring fact that cars resent being sold, and will do their best to cause their new owners as many problems as they possibly can. After you've persuaded them that you're going to treat them nicely, and take them to nice places, and let them play with nuns and kittens, they tend to become much more obliging.

[dollywobbler]

Buying blind is always a risk, but do you honestly think you would have been able to forsee this issue if you'd seen it in the metal before committing? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't. You can only judge a car on how it performs on a test, not what it'll do in a months time.

Hope it all works out but we've certainly all been there, pouring time and effort into something which, on paper, looks like sheer madness.

[Shirley Knott]

Yup, I've been there too recently.

 

See my thread for details of the 'mint' low mileage 940 turbo I bought in April with a slightly damp passenger side footwell that after investigation turned out to be an inch of standing water through the whole car. Complete interior strip included, follow that with a chaser shot of revving it's knackers off without any throttle input and hunting to the point of being undriveable within a fortnight of purchase. It comes with the territory really.

 

TBF, and I'm playing devils advocate slightly here, the seller did make it clear that there were some coolant loss woes in the advert..

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/30775-1997-v70-tdi-cd-top-spec-with-12-months-test/

[Tamworthbay]

Buying blind is always a risk, but do you honestly think you would have been able to forsee this issue if you'd seen it in the metal before committing? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't. You can only judge a car on how it performs on a test, not what it'll do in a months time.

Hope it all works out but we've certainly all been there, pouring time and effort into something which, on paper, looks like sheer madness.

I don't want to get sucked into a discussion on this really, but suffice to say the have been multiple issues that I would have found and I would have walked away, and the residue in the header tank is bit one, but that's history now, if anyone is really interested pm me as I really don't want to go over it here.

[Tamworthbay]

Yup, I've been there too recently.

 

See my thread for details of the 'mint' low mileage 940 turbo I bought in April with a slightly damp passenger side footwell that after investigation turned out to be an inch of standing water through the whole car. Complete interior strip included, follow that with a chaser shot of revving it's knackers off without any throttle input and hunting to the point of being undriveable within a fortnight of purchase.

 

TBF, and I'm playing devils advocate slightly here, the seller did make it clear that there were some coolant loss woes in the advert..

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/30775-1997-v70-tdi-cd-top-spec-with-12-months-test/

Last post on this as being dragged into it and don't want to, I took the car on the basis of what I was told and what was written. My opinion, and others may vary, is that when selling a car on AS we do a full warts and all description, whilst this issue was mentioned it was played down and was again when we spoke on the phone, the car used twice the amount of water getting back then I had been told it used in 6 months. There are loads of other issues, I really don't want to muck rake, what's the point? Will it make my life easier? No, so feel free to think I am an idiot for buying blind, perhaps you are right, never done it before and would probably only do it again from more well known members on here but suffice to say lesson learned.

 

Thanks again to so those who have offered support and help, it really is appreciated. It is on the way to being saved and I look forward to posting some positive updates on it's progress in the near future.

[Pat Earrings]

Last post on this as being dragged into it and don't want to, I took the car on the basis of what I was told and what was written. My opinion, and others may vary, is that when selling a car on AS we do a full warts and all description, whilst this issue was mentioned it was played down and was again when we spoke on the phone, the car used twice the amount of water getting back then I had been told it used in 6 months. There are loads of other issues, I really don't want to muck rake, what's the point? Will it make my life easier? No, so feel free to think I am an idiot for buying blind, perhaps you are right, never done it before and would probably only do it again from more well known members on here but suffice to say lesson learned.

 

Thanks again to so those who have offered support and help, it really is appreciated. It is on the way to being saved and I look forward to posting some positive updates on it's progress in the near future.

I honestly do not think anyone believes you're an idiot for buying blind. I have done it for at least 5 of my last purchases which have mainly all been off here, purely as I trust shiters knowing that they usually always do the "warts and all" descriptions and that we tend to look after each other. In fact, I have limited myself to just keeping to here mainly (ls400 eBay purchase aside). Perhaps there was some dishonesty or there wasn't, but it's behind you now mate. Future looks a lot better and I am genuinely eager to see this recovered and stronger than ever.