I was driving on the express highway today, and the car made a very very weird sound that wasn't at all loud, but it was a little concerning. At that moment, and thank God it was that moment I decided to pull over to check it out. As I slowed down, the engine stalled and died and fortunately I was on the right shoulder. I was sitting freezing for 3 hours for a tow truck to come pick us up. Damn canadian winters !

My volvo had been giving me an intermittent oil light on and off, and I read somewhere that it could have just been the oil pressure switch. It happened once on Saturday evening, and I brought it to the mechanic to have it checked, and he assured me that if it was the engine, it would've died right then and there and nothing I could do about it. Since he said you could still drive it smoothly, it could very well be just the sensor. But today, coincidentally, that red light turned on, and I believe my volvo had its last day.

Both oil and gas were at optimal levels. As I pulled over, I could smell a burning scent from the vents. I tried to start the car again, but it wouldn't turn at all. I sat there with my blinkers on and battery draining until rescue came.

Any thoughts on what it could be ?

 

unfortunately it could be any number of things.

 

Did you look under the hood to see/smell if anything was burnt?

 

I didn't have a look. The mechanic says it might be a broken timing belt. He hasn't had a chance to take a look at it. If that's the case, is my car dead?

thanks in advance

 

My timing belt broke yesterday on my 2000 V40 with 86,000 miles. Unfortunately, it damaged the engine, so that's that. I'm disturbed that Volvo recommends changing the timing belt at 105,000 miles. I didn't get close. Any recourse with Volvo?

 

I'm looking at an eBay auction for a 2000 Volvo V40 ASR wagon.I've owned several Volvos but don't know much about this model.What is ASR? How come a pretty nice car is selling so cheaply? What are the known problems?

 

@ Andrew, did you ever get the car fixed? Oil lights usually mean failed oil pick up. Did the motor seize?

@ SFGirl, I don't think so. Usually people change the belt every 10 years or 105,000 miles whichever comes first. The manual use to recommend time as well, not sure why they took that out. Mine says 7 years or 70,000 miles. What failed? Did the water pump or a roller seize.