Shoddybanger impulse buys old Ovlov

[shoddybanger]

So this happened today. It seems that I am now the happy/confused owner of 1997 Volvo V70.

 

I was browsing the FI equivalent of craigslist late afternoon today and came upon a local Volvo V70 2.0 pez MT with 308kkm / 191kmiles on the clock and an asking price of 850 EUR. Went to look at it with the wife, took it out for a test drive and found the car drove surprisingly well. It was originally sold in Italy and later on imported to Finland (did I mention Finland is the place where old German and Swedish cars eventually go to die?).

 

Car has full service history, cambelt was done last summer, two good sets of tires, and last owner has had it for nearly 10 years, but didn't need the cargo capacity anymore. Haggled the price down to 750 EUR and...

 

drove it home.

 

 

Obligatory pez shot in proper Autoshite fashion.

 

 

I do not have pictures of breakfast, as I did not know that I would be collecting a Volvo on this fine day. I have also not logged the poo count for the day, but as the seller lived 10 minutes away from me, I can confirm that no poo was expelled during collection.

 

So there we go. Proper Swedish chod! Plan is to sell the Nubira after I get the brake line fixed, as it has now been rendered redundant.

[beko1987]

Very nice! We have a similar place in the uk where volvos go to die, it's called scotland!

[shoddybanger]

Very nice! We have a similar place in the uk where volvos go to die, it's called scotland!

 

Ha, scots and finns must have lots in common, then!

[Lord Sterling]

Wow, lots of very recent Volvo V70 love on here right now. Looks like a nice Volvo you've got there.

[shoddybanger]

V70's from various generations seem to be pooling indeed. Here's hoping this turns out to be good.

 

I'm really liking the 5-cylinder noises!

[beko1987]

Yes they are getting rather common aren't they! I hope they all last until shitefest, then the rule is if you own a volvo v70, you bring a volvo v70!

[Broadsword]

Well bought! Having the cam-belt already done is a real bonus for such a cheap car. Looks tidy enough.

[shoddybanger]

Thank you, sirs. Recent cambelt and a working A/C are definitely nice on this. There is also no rust apart from a small blemish in right rear wheelarch. Might need to clean that up so it does not end up looking like the wheelarch on the family Trajet as pictured on my thumbnail..

[Felly Magic]

Another Volvo V70 joins the fold! Well purchased

[Tetleysmooth]

They do stand the test of time well, these V70's.

I'm currently un-abusing my one.

It's getting to the stage where we could have an entire section of this forum dedicated to 850/V70's.

We could show off our bricks, detail common faults and fixes, codes etc.

Is that an idea?

[shoddybanger]

Indeed there seem to be some TADTS items on these... I identified the following on this example during the test drive:

 

- steering wheen tilt lever broken (can be actuated with a set of pliers though, as I later found)

- power window button on driver door has problems operating right rear window

- power mirrors are tired - only the driver mirror up/down control works

- indicator stalk does not return back by itself anymore

- front passenger power door lock inop

 

Small niggles, really. Don't know if I'll get around to fixing them apart from the power mirrors. I prefer they'd work.

[tooSavvy]

Ha, scots and finns must have lots in common, then!

Alcohol problem + Long dark nights, aye

[Tetleysmooth]

Keep an eye on that window switch pack.

On a previous V70 I had, I used it one day and it started smoking

Brand new, can be had here, but pricey.

 

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=61_602&products_id=4802&osCsid=354daac16f79051975107573e9a71e18

 

Cheaper here:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S70-V70-XC70-MASTER-FRONT-WINDOW-SWITCH-PANEL-LIFTER-4-WAY/222802807614?epid=11013409115&hash=item33e0150b3e%3Ag%3AHCAAAOSwXzNaYisV&fits=Car+Make%3AVolvo%7CModel%3AV70%7CCars+Type%3A2.5%7CPlat_Gen%3AP80_%7CCars+Year%3A1998%7CVariant%3AP80_+%5B1995-2000%5D+Estate

 

Non returning indicator stalk could possibly be a faulty clockspring in the column. You could try a replacement stalk from ebay, but you may not cure the problem. It will eliminate the stalk though.

The mirrors may just be the control on the doorcard. Why not just take it out and give it a spray with contact cleaner. It may work. They do get very grubby.

Door locks. Noooo. I've had all 4 of mine out over the last couple of weeks, and I don't want to see them again for a while.

[shoddybanger]

Thanks, man! Will need to investigate further when I find time for some fettling.

[BeEP]

This is the window master swiitch I bought for the ex-Bramz7 V70 diesel I acquired for my sister-in-law. 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Left-Electric-Power-Master-Window-Control-Switch-Panel-R856/173305768182?

 

Ideal for the OP here as it's for a LHD!  Made in China, but new and only £20, and according to perceived wisdom on the Volvo forum better made than the original (larger diodes/capacitors apparently so less prone to burning out).

 

Needs re-wiring for RHD, but again the Volvo forum shows how and it resolved all the window issues on mine once fitted.  The slave switches on the other three doors take their power from the master switch, so often spring back to life once the master is replaced.  Apologies if teaching granny to suck eggs here.

[Tetleysmooth]

Doh !! Forgot this was a left hooker.

[shoddybanger]

Thanks, BeEP -- I will most likely order one in once I've determined that the car is sound otherwise!

[shoddybanger]

I have identified some further small issues.

 

- Door weatherstrips have shrunk and tend to want to come undone. I will try to remedy this by cutting the weatherstrip near the sill and cut a suitable piece from another weatherstrip.

- There is a clunk from the front left suspension when driving over bumps while turning right. I'm betting sway bar link or ball joint is on the way out.

- Engine mounts are most likely worn out, as the engine jerks noticeably when it starts up, and there is a vibration from the engine when lugged on lower revs.

- Infuriating rattles from driver door and glovebox area.

- Similarly infuriating squeak from the clutch pedal when released. There is a return spring with a damper of sorts on the clutch pedal which I believe to be the culprit. I sprayed some vaseline & WD40 on it, but it still squeaks.

 

I am betting the door mirror issue is indeed a control stick issue, as both mirrors only move up/down (I thought the passenger side mirror was dead at first).

 

Despite these small niggles, I'm liking the ol' Volvo more and more. My kids were devastated when I first pulled up to the driveway with it, as they see nothing but an ugly, boxy gifferwagen. However, my youngest son (age 9) is clearly starting to like it, and he's loving the sounds ("...hey dad, shift down and rev it up..!")

[Tamworthbay]

The annoying rattle from the door in mine turned out to be a 2p piece in the bottom. Took a few weeks to isolate though.

[shoddybanger]

I gave the ol' Ovlov a once-over today. I did the rubber-glove-on-oil-filler-port check on the PCV system, and it passed the test no problem. I also slapped on the summer tires and glanced over the brakes while at it. Pads and discs appear good. Also looks like the car has had a new right front CV joint recently.

 

Volvos appear to have the jacking point amidships, and it makes tire changes quick, as both tires on one side can be done with one jacking only.

 

 

I treated the Ovlov to a nice polishing, and it seemed happy.

 

 

 

Only concerning bit is a small area of rust on the right rear arch.