Hello, I just bought a 2001 S60 2.4T. Its got really high mileage(190,000 highway) but I got a good deal on it, it was a single owner, and its been very well maintained. I'm wondering how much life I can expect to get out of this car as long as I keep up on the maint.. There are a couple issues I am worrying about now that I'm over the thrill of aquiring such a pretty car(always loved volvos, and I jumped on the chance to get one.).

First, and the only issue with the car whatsoever is an odd stutter in the motor when it is sitting at idle, and only when in gear. It'll do it more early on after it has sat all night, and it'll do it some when you slow down and stop for a red light. It also sometimes hesitates when you first step on the accelerator. The stutter seems to get less noticeable the more you drive it. I'm no mechanic, so I was hoping someone might be able to tell me what may be causing this? I'm hoping it isn't something major as I'm on a limited budget concerning repairs.

Second - I've read about timing belt issues, and I'm not sure when the last time it was replaced. Is there some tell-tale sign to look for concerning whether or not I should replace it?

Anyhow, I've only had this car for a week, and I'm completely in love with it, so I'm hoping one of you guys don't tell me I'm screwed lol.. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me

 

mine does this it's a 2004 s60 2.5T
but in my case it's the top motor mount the "Engine Torque Rod Mount"
and also in my case it was the "box" style mount and I upgraded it to the stiffer "round" style mount
if it's the box style ide say replace it and if it's the round one perhaps its shifted too far back when the mounts were replaced last, what they don't realize is that the round mount needs to be positioned as far forward as possible so loosen the large bolt in the torque rod, pull the engine forward as possible and tighten it down to 100ft lb's of torque.

it's a guess, but its free to try and very easy to do. (though you might need a friend)

 

First issue sounds like throttle body if the idle is unstable. You can try cleaning it. At that mileage you could try a sea-foam treatment and clean the Throttle body. It could also be and if this is the only issue you are having you are Very lucky

2001-02 S60 have notoriously Bad transmissions. You should now check the condition of the fluid Small yellow dip stick below the air box center low in the engine bay. Look for amount (check with the car being warm and running , Color(should be Nice red color) and 3rd smell it should Not have a burnt smell to it.. Also if you can or have the service records see if the B4 servo cover update was done. If it was not you may want to think about it. Also does it have the most up to date software. It sound like you may have a better than most 01 but just keep an eye on these things.

The Timming belt if you have any question if it was replaced do it. The signs are cracking but its not the belt most times that fails its the idel pulley and tensior that fails and the belt tracks off line. If that happens Engine is done for.

This car like all car maintenance ,maintenance keep on top of things and do not wait for them to get worse to fix. Sound like so far you got a good deal just do not let small thing go.

GL

 

Thanks for all the replies and advice you guys.
Nickals - I haven't checked any of the mounts, but I plan on going over it just to be sure.
MYS6T - I got a check engine light yesterday, so I took it to autozone and had them read the codes and the only one that came up was a cylinder 1 misfire. I did some research and from what I had found, it sounded like either the throttle body was dirty, fuel injectors were gummed up, the ignition coil was shot, or the plugs were fouled.

When I went out to start it up this morning, the check engine light was off and didn't come back on. Hoping for the best, I went and got some new spark plugs and changed them out(the old ones were nasty and hadn't been changed in years probably). The stutter it was doing while at idle totally dissapeared after putting some new plugs in, so I'm hoping I got lucky and that was the only issue. Just gonna drive it and see if the check engine light pops back up.
Checked the transmission fluid and it is full and has a red translucent color to it, and the trans shifts beautifully whether just cruising or racing it up to 100.. Motor hiccuped a few times when I was running it up to 100 with the pedal to the floor, but it doesn't seem serious when it does occasionally happen..
The timing belt has about 80,000 mi come to find out, and I looked it over and it doesn't even have microscopic cracks as far as I can tell. Who knows about the pully and tensioner. I don't really have the money to get it all replaced right now, so I'm just gonna drive it and hope for the best till I do. Anyhow, thanks alot for the advice!

 

that's something everyone with a turbocharged Volvo needs to know, the sparkplugs don't last, I've found that these cars are very finicky about their plugs and need to be replaced every 20k miles. always keep an eye on those, they are cheap and easy to replace anyway.

 

Im glad too hear that 1 the trans fluid is nice and red this tells me at those miles some one has replaced it and same thing with the timing belt . Not to many people that own a volvo s60 would to the belt with out the other things. Sound like you are in good shape ..
GL