Hello, I'm very interested in purchasing a low mile 2007 Volvo S40 T5. It has 51,000 miles and a very clean Carfax. I looked up this model year on consumer reports and it rated this vehicle as much worse than average for major engine problems. It didn't go into any detail. Is this a bogus report based on a probably small sample size, or is this a problem engine. I have the means to properly maintain and service the vehicle, but of course I don't want bills in the thousands if I need a major engine rebuild or replacement.

I'm naive on these cars, but have ridden in a few and always like the style, safety features etc.

Help me out, I really don't want to by a Camry!!

Thank you!

 

I don't know where that report comes from. That is a very reliable engine if properly maintained.

 

Get a Nissan.

I'm not sure what information you are reading. I have found that most complainers go to www.Cars.com and post their repair cost issues.

In general, Volvo will build an engine and stick with it for many many years because it works. From my knowledge, the T5 motor in those cars are a newer version of the ones installed in the 850's in the mid 90's.

Back in the mid-60's, Volvo started installing RED BLOCK motors in most of their gas driven cars. They stayed with the basic motor until the mid-90's. A recent new article revealed that a guy has more than 3,000,000 (3 million) miles on one of those red block motors. I had over 400,000 on one myself.

In my opinion, these T5 motors can go 500,000 easy. If I had the money for gas and other maintenance, I would run mine over 500,000 real quick just to prove a point. I now have 245,000 on my 850 and my compression numbers indicate that the motor is as strong as one with 50,000 miles on it (Spec range 156 - 186, mine has 175 across the cylinders). I started using full synthetic oil at 190,000.

I said all that to say this, go to www.Cars.com and read what people have written there. Then, before you buy, take the car somewhere and have a compression test done (or do one yourself). If the motor is healthy, go for it.

You can also read S40 forums and see if you see a common complaint. People like to go to these forums for help when their car is falling apart.

 

If you are in a cold weather state that salts the roads, don't get a Nissan unless you want it to rust out by 90k miles.

 

Thanks guys,

BTW I do have a nice Nissan, I have a bone stock 1990 300ZX, but it doesn't see salt or snow.

 

Oh, that 300ZX it's a legend on itself.

Recent Nissans can be a hit or miss, certainly I would be afraid to buy a Sentra or a Maxima. But a Versa or a Rogue, that could be a good bet.


The T5 is a very good engine BUT it has a design flaw, the PCV valve that gets clogged at about 40k to 60k miles and before it shows any sign, several engine seals can be affected and are very costly.

Make sure the car had the PCV system replaced AND it doesn't have any engine leaking seals. If the PCV wasn't replaced, test the engine for negative pressure (check on Youtube). If no seal is leaking, replace the PCV system right away (around 700$ at the dealer).

See this link https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s40-11/volvo-s40-%96-pcv-valve-issue-55565/

 

Your information is very wrong. But its the internet so someone will believe you.

 

That is your opinion. What is your argument?

 

The problem with the PCV on the P1 platform is not clogging. And it actually causes excessive crankcase vacuum, not pressure. After replacing hundreds of oil filter housings on P1s, I have never seen cam seals leak due to it.