|
|
|
It all started with an 83 245 GLT. My introduction to the brick. Would still have my 84 242 GLT had it not been destroyed while we were sitting stopped at a red light(really loved this one)!!! I started driving volvo over 10 yrs ago after I survived in what I'm positve my 1st BMW saved my life. It's been volvo every since,3 currently in the family.Wife,daughter and myself(unable to update sig below) Will probably also always have an old bimmer as my 2nd car . 86 635CSi serves that purpose right now.
All have RWD except for this 98 V70XC AWD ,purchased 3/07 w/129k on the clock. I'm a wagon guy(wife prefers wagons also,this replaced her 960)and I invested nearly $2000 immediatly doing the heater core,struts,mounts,bushings,tires,alignment,plugs,wires,cap,rotor,filters i know more. I do all my own work. No one touchs my cars. Alignment of course I can't do.
I'm already loving how solid this car is,but I'm really questioning whether I really need the AWD functionality in my part of the country. I'm entertaining the thought of a possible trade as crazy as that sounds. But I like the 960. Anyone have a nice end of line V90/960wagon and maybe wanting an XC? I'm sure I'll get used to the AWD,but I've been driving the 960 for quite a while now and it's just so familiar. Maybe I got lucky with the 2 960's I've owned(still have 1),but there've been some real horror stories.
--
92-965-247k, 94-965-241k, 92-944t-227k
|
|
-
|
|
|
I will be keeping it,good or bad. The main issue right now is lifter noise. Someone has already had the cam cover off. I missed that on the cold,cold morning when I gave it my 1st inspection. I didn't find out until I brought it home. I know someone who will assist me in replacing them. HE has done it plenty of times,I just supply all the parts and his fee is very reasonable. He says the noise is not that bad,he's heard much worse. It's not bad enough to hear inside the car with the windows up. That will have to wait for now.
I guess my hang-up with this car is,now I have to learn a whole new volvo. I've been researching the archives since the end of Feb.. I'm already tired and have much more to learn. Maybe all the negative comments and bashing I've read made me feel that way. But I should be used to it,I've had 2 960's for over 6yrs. Now there's a love it or hate it brick!! No-one forced me to buy this XC. Time was not on my side when we were looking. It did have to be a wagon,and I chose what I felt was the best available at the time. IT IS a new addition to the fleet.
Thanks for listening.
Dave
--
92-965-247k, 94-965-241k, 92-944t-227k
|
|
-
|
|
|
Like you, I am surprised that someone had the valve cover off. Normally lifter noise can be attributed to poor oil change maint and lugging the engine around town. These 5 cylinder engines need to be reved so that the valves turn in their seats.
Could it be that the lifters are just clogged with sludge? Perhaps a good internal engine cleaning would help? Or, it could be that the O rings at the oil pump pick up ar shot and your oil pressure is not up to snuff?
Klaus
|
|
-
|
|
|
I think I had myself convinced before I ever looked at this car That it was indeed just stuck lifters. This car was being sold by a small town dealer and he told me upfront before I went to look at it that the engine was "noisy". Being a 960 driver, I already had in my mind a little old lady had babied this engine through its 129k and never even hit 3k on the tach. I thought exactly what you mentioned,all it needed was a good workout and it would quiet right down. That's also why my quick check under the oil cap mainly consisted of checking engine cleanliness. It is clean,but that is where I would have noticed the gasket sealer IF only I'd spent a little more time.
While working on this car doing all the intial work,I noticed that the oil pan,as well as the oil pump have been off at one point.. So someone did spend some time and money on the noise. I will do the lifters and hope that that should cure it. Since I have no idea of who did the work or what they did,I will do it myself and know for sure. I'm all spent now so that is going to have to wait.
What all is needed for lifter replacement besides lifters,cam seals and sealant.I need to get all parts together and then I will pay a knowledgable person to assist me. He knows these engines,has the tools for reinstall and owes me a favor.
--
92-965-247k, 94-965-241k, 92-944t-227k
|
|
-
|
|
|
Of course the AWD requires additional maint and robs about 20bhp. But, the AWD is also useful in wet/slippery conditions. If you flush the angle gear fluid every 50K miles or so, that should eliminate that potential problem.
The XC is not the same luxury level as the V90/960, but the 5 cyl is more reliable from what I have read. The XC also exhibits light understeer, so handling is different than the rwd.
I wouldn't trade the XC so soon. Give it a chance to prove itself, it is a worthy successor to the V90/960.
Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Andy
on
Fri May 4 10:30 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
|
|
Well, it may sound silly, but you could just pop the rear driveshaft off and not have to deal with the AWD "overhead" if really don't ever drive in snow, ice or other AWD conditions. At $2k spent, you've got quite a bit invested on a car that isn't worth all that much (probably about $5k +/- here in the northeast), so I'd say run it to get your money's worth.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Hey Andy.I've read you can pull the drive shaft. Not going to unless there's a problem. Does it just run like an 850 and not cause any trans/tras-axle/bevel gear problems? I live outside Louisville and the winters seem to be getting milder. Haven't had any real snow the last couple of yrs. Guess we're probably due for one.
I did alright on the purchase price. I was able to get him from $4800 down to $3000 because of the lifter noise and the heater core going out and a lot of negotiatating. So the initial 2k spent in maint. was not too bad. Inc. tires,timing belt,heater core,struts,mounts,plugs,wires,cap,rotor,bevel lube,brake hoses,air intake hose. Even more stuff,just catch up maint on a 130k car. I do my own work,so I got plenty of parts for the money and I know it's done right. Paint's in great shape,interior very good except for some door panel pucker. Super nice car,I really do like it,I'm just new to AWD thought before I got attached to it,I'd trade for that nice V90 that I already know about. Thing is,do you really need AWD if you don't live in the snow belt?
--
92-965-247k, 94-965-241k, 92-944t-227k
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be bwik
on
Tue May 8 08:05 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
|
|
Good job doing all that maintenance yourself. We paid about 5000 to have a similar amount of work done. it seems you have done your homework. Why not enjoy it? It is a great, safe car for $5000 all in. Doing your own work allows you to keep it practical.
I just laugh at people who go to the dealer and drop 35,000 on a new Toyota Sienna or some such. This country is overrun with great, cheap used cars!
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Andy
on
Mon May 7 04:06 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
|
|
If you pull the rear driveshaft, yes it just is a front-drive car with the bevel gear output spinning nothing. (think of it as a pto!)
As a generalization (with all the inherent faults of generalizations), a lot of folks offer the opinion that AWD isn't needed, regardless of snow / ice / rain, or whatever -- Their opinion seems to be good tires and traction control do the bulk of the work.
I guess it all depends on your personal opinion. I'd buy that generalization in areas where snow and ice are uncommon, and possibly in areas where the snow is dry.
|
|
|
|
|
