2000 Automatic, 66k miles...

needs new tires, brakes. has not done timing belt, front grill damaged.

anything aside from the typical stuff I should look out for? anyone know what the service schedule should look like for this car? I know nothing about volvos...

Thanks!
Allan

 

Check the engine mounts and all other stuff like that.

The timing belt is due at either 100,000 miles or 105,000 miles.

 

yeah I went to the volvo site - 105k miles...

What's the official shop manual for the car? I was able to buy a bentley manual for my VW... I'd want to do my own repairs.

Also, any suggestions for online stores for aftermarket parts like brake pads, grills etc?

Thanks guys!

 

Check in the general section I made a post with links to sites for parts and ETC.

 

When you drive it, pull over and sit at idle for a minute (still in drive). Feel for vibrations through the steering wheel, this would imply the engine mounts need replacing.

 

This is from the factory service schedule for my Volvo:

Open each door and make sure that it doesn’t move up and down and that the interior lights go on each time. Check the movement of the front seats back and forth, and lean forward and back. Make sure the AC works, and the blower fan is operational. Check that the gear shift is locked in park, and that it won’t start in any drive or the reverse gear. Then see if the battery can start the car 3 or 4 times in a row. Make sure the parking brake is tight and that it holds the car. Do a walk around with the car running to make sure all exterior lights work (high, low, and running).

Then jack it up and make sure the wheels turn freely (in neutral). Check that there is no back and forth play in any of the wheels, and that the front wheels are tight and do not wobble back and forth. Make sure that the exhaust system is in one piece, and that there is not a lot of dirt or rust on the bottom.

Now lower the car back down. Check the CCV hoses for gunk. Check the air filter and air box for obstruction. The auxiliaries drive belt is suppose to be replaced at 60k miles; make sure it has been. The timing belt is suppose to be replaced at 75k, if it has not you may want to consider doing it. Check the cabin filter for dirt. Obviously the fluid levels should be good. Check the maintenance record on the oil filter.

If all of this stuff checks out, take it for a drive. Does it pull to one side with no hands on the wheel? See if there are any weird vibrations at idle, or if any develop at higher RPMs. Is the bypass valve on the turbo working properly – it should stay spooled between shifts. Listen for any whistling sounds. Test the kick down switch by flooring the car – it should move. Make sure that the gearshift actually shifts the car. Slam on the brakes, see if they lock up.

This is pretty much all you can do to make sure your getting a car that will last another 70k miles. Hope this helps.