Hey all- new here, diehard Saab guy looking to expand my horizons. Have had all Saabs, but also briefly had an 88 240 wagon and a 96 850 wagon. Looking at a 2006 S60 2.5T with 183,000 miles. The thing drives great. Smooth, tight, turbo pulls good. Comfy, great seats, interior is in amazing shape. No rust. Few plastic exterior trim pieces missing/beat up/taped back on. No CELs. No smoke or weird sounds. 2 owners. But I'm concerned about the mileage, especially because I have no service history confirming anything about the timing belt. Needs tires and a broken exhaust hanger welded back on. Just inspected. I got him down to $2600.

So. Should I go for it? Doesn't sound like the timing belt is super hard to replace/needs any special tools.

Looking forward to getting to know you guys better!

- Tyler

 

No major issues with the 2006 S60 models as long as it was properly maintained & serviced. Timing belt due every 105k.

 

Nice. So the fact that it's still running well at 183k suggests that the belt has been done at least somewhere close to the correct interval. So I should look to do it again in the 200 range....

Would you go for it, if it were you?

 

If you "assume" the belt has been done you will taking a extreme risk. Buy it get it home, do not drive it and put the Asian Kit from Rockauto on the car with the Water pump. Even if you pull the top cover and see it has a gates or non Volvo belt on it. That does not mean they changed every thing that they should have. 100% valve damage if it breaks. Look at your engine S/N to get the correct tensioner for the timing belt with the proper kit. Volvo made a change and it was not by model years but by engine S/N. Former Saab guy myself (9000CD, 9-5, 900SE).

 

Thanks Steve, that was definitely my plan. I've watched the video from FCP Euro a few times - honestly replacing the belt/idler/tensioner/WP doesnt seem like an awful job, as long as I'm careful.

Thanks for your replies!

 

I purchased a 2008 with 120K on it and even though that was the change mileage I could not get that timing belt off there quick enough. I followed the procedure to the letter. I purchased a cam lock tool and then found that O'Reilly auto parts will rent you a plastic one for a $50 deposit that is refundable. My car had both cams with variable timing and I had never dealt with that before. Also make sure you do the glove test on the PCV system to insure that it is working before you blow out a seal. Search "glove test" and also a guy on youtube will show you the procedure. Since I have bought my car I have been dumping and refilling the ATF with Mobil 3309 fluid trying to clean it up with every oil change until I turn from dark to pink. This is a car I bought for my son so we really went through it.

 

• install the upper timing belt cover
• Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the markings on the crankshaft and camshaft pulley correspond
• Turn the crankshaft a further 1/4 turn clockwise and then back again until the markings correspond.

The above section is the part you must get right on my model with variable timing. Also Aisin is the OEM for the water pump so use that or Volvo only. The Aisin kit on Rockauto.com is a great value.

 

Awesome. I'll keep that in mind.

Not like I can do anything about it now, but does the price sound like I got taken for a ride, considering the mileage, etc? Or did I do okay?

 

The price that you received seems good to me as long as it does not have known issues. I hope it works out well for you. I still miss having a Saab but with the parts situation only getting worse I decided to stay away. Plus the fact that 2 of my last ones were totaled 3 times (yes 1 totaled twice) I figured my luck just was not too good. I had a 2003 9-5 and a 1998 900SE both took the same touch up paint and both rear ended by drivers at stoplights at over 45mph.

 

Thanks All!

About to pick up a 2006 S60 2.5T... any major concerns related to the Turbo on this model? A little worried about the milage at 147k but thing runs really great. Used to have an s80 T6 and the oil catch can in the pvc system would gunk up and cause oil to get sucked into the turbo... anyone had similar issues with the 2.5T after 2006 models? White smoke from burning oil anything of the sort ?