Hi folks,

i am a new volvo s70 se owner and need some info as to potential problems/fixes with the model.

I have always been a fan of volvo, particulary the wagons, but, needs must and i have just bought a year 2000 s70 with 150k on the clock. I can honestly say it was owned by a single owner (old lady) and it is in near perfect condition internally and externally, all the electrics work and the engine appears pristine...so, what can i expect? It has a solid service history and after my first day of driving appears to drive perfectly.

 

The 850 is the predicessor of the S70 so you can read this link to get a lot of info.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...s-s-v70s-9266/

That model year usually has issues with the electronic throttle control. All of these cars seem to have fuel pump relay issues sooner or later, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a relay and keep it like a spare tire. Other than that, normal maintenance and servicing.

If the timing belt is over 10 years old, replace it.

If you pull the oil dipstick out a little with the car running and warmed up, and you see smoke coming out, replace the PCV system.

If the car is NOT turbo, use 91+ octane gas.

Congrats on finding a nice clean car. I believe the motor and transmission can go 500,000 miles if you keep it serviced. You can service it yourself and save a lot of money.

 

Good advise from RSPI. I would also plan on replacing front suspension componets at some point to keep everything tight. I have a 1998 S70 with 321k miles and it still runs very strong. I eneded up replacing control arms and stabilizer links plus right and left drive shafts. These componets make a huge different in the ride! I have the replacement Tie Rods I just haven't got around to replacing them yet.

 

Why super unleaded for the Non-Turbo?

 

Actually all of them should have 91+ pumped. The turbo's can whine the motor up so fast that 87 octane is not recommended.

As for the NA motors, they are designed to give some pep even though they are not turbo. The motor is tuned to have 10:1 compression ratio which is considered a high compression motor (anything over 9:1). If you use fuel with octane rating of less than 91, your motor computer will have to use the knock sensors to help your motor avoid knocking. Knocking is very bad for a motor. If your knock sensors fail or the computer fails to keep up with it's adjustments for low octane gas, you will cause strain on your motor.

 

Throttle body was recalled. ABS controller will go out.

I've got 275K and still going strong. Recently hit perpendicularly in front right by an 2011 Camary. I drove away (after police investigation) as he was ticketed for Failure To Yield and watched his totaled car transported away. Not germane except exemplifying the resiliency of this vehicle.

 

160k here.... and doing various minor maintenance things.
Interested to follow the conversation about 87 octane. It's all I use.

Should I reconsider? Go to 91?

 

Yes... Try it out for 2 or 3 tanks to see how it works out for you.

 

Very interested to learn more about the Octane recommendation from from RSPI. Live here in Denver and our lowest Octane is "85" which is what the manual recommends..."lowest unleaded recommended" is stated.

Just took this 175k S70 to mountains and back and drove perfectly but unsure if I should step up the Octane (and certainly would for improved longevity or performance)

 

working through my first tank of 93 octane (options were 85,89, 93) which comes out to about 91, given the 85 left in there). Driving wonderfully, I have to say. I'll report back on mileage once I've been through a few tanks. I had been at 30 mph highway but dropped recently to 24. More TK

 

I have read somewhere that higher altitudes requires less octane levels.

 

Looking forward to reading your results.

 

Moving from 85 to 93 bumped my mileage from 24 to 29.
Still, I used to get 30 hwy with 85 so I don't know what's changed.