Hiya Folks,

I've returned to the Volvo fold after some decades hiatus with the recent purchase of an `05 V70. My first car (in 1969) was a `59 PV 544. My second car was a `63 122S 2dr powered by it's OG B16 then a B18 and finally a B20. I cut my mechanic's teeth -that I practice as a hobby- on those cars and I still like to do as much of my own wrenching as possible. And because I know that an `05 V70 doesn't especially lend itself to backyard repairs I thought I'd better find an on-line support group.

My specimen is a base model FWD 2.4 N/A with 130K miles, that looks to have been pretty well cared for. It displays an engine bay sticker showing that the timing belt was changed at 120something K, which I took as a good sign. Since used car buying is like a visit to the casino, only time will tell if I have a lemon or a peach that will require more or fewer cries for help from you good people.

Cheers, Jack

 

i hope you got a good one. been looking at getting my first Volvo and the V70s caught my eye. but after investigating online and hearing of problems i'm not sure.

 

I too just got into an 05 V70 FWD 2.4 N/A with 135k, but I have an uneasy feeling about it. Despite it being "super clean" and one of the nicest cars I have ever owned, I have had to add at least 2 quarts of oil to it in the first week of driving, and now the coolant is below minimum. That explains that "new car smell" I could not identify. I cannot help wondering if I have some major engine work looming, and how long I can survive by just keeping the fluids pouring in. I haven't even done the registration yet, sigh...

 

Sorry to hear about the disappearing fluids, Chris. If you're not seeing leaks that could indeed be grim news.

Over Easter I had mine on a 1500 mile trip and it was great. The average MPG, as displayed in the instrument panel, now reads 29.4 and I calculated my own (from fill up to fill up) as 33+. That was all hiway, mostly at 70. I don't know what's in it now but I plan an oil change soon with good synthetic.

My only complaint has been grossly misaligned headlights, which a 6mm socket corrected.
Fingers crossed. The dice are still tumbling.

 

My first fill-up to fill-up resulted in 31mpg, mostly 55-65mph driving. I called a couple of Volvo dealers seeking some intel on my problem, but they were not very helpful. The first said they would not be able to tell me anything without me taking it in and having them "diagnose it over time" with a "fluid consumption test", which is exactly what I have been doing myself. The other stated to the effect that they had no idea what might be wrong with the car, since they hardly ever have to do engine repairs on this model. Otherwise, they said just keep adding Castrol 10w30 to it.