Hey guys and gals of the Volvo Forums,

I am trading in my gas guzzling wallet-nightmare of a truck that I love dearly, for something a bit more economical being that I am now no longer in the military and going to school.

I found an AWD T5 automatic with 111,000 on the clock w/ a Single Owner.

First: Any warning signs to look for when I go for a test drive?

With 111,000 on it I planned after getting it home to put new plugs, coils, injectors, belt, air filter, and then taking it to a shop and getting a tranny flush/coolant flush.

From the owners here, how easy are the differentials to change the fluid out of? And in regards to them, are they limited slip or when I slide will I send all the power to one wheel and buuuuuuuuurrrnnn some rubber?

 

Leaking struts are common. Control arm bushings are common.

Timing belt is due soon (10 years or 120k)

Replacing injectors is a waste of money.

The differential is electronically controlled limited slip. The fluid is a lifetime fluid. There is no drain, so you have to suck it out if you want to change it.

 

Thanks for the info!

I have no problem replacing struts as needed.

Control Arm Bushings - Are these a nightmare to do ourselves? Is it worth it to antisieze the crap out of a new set or are they just going to be a nightmare no matter what?

Timing belt - I read through a sticky on here how to replace it, so that won't be too bad.

Injectors - Why do you consider changing them after 100k a waste of money? I've never known an injector to have the same efficient spray pattern at brand new as at 100k due to the weardown.

Differential Fluid - Lifetime you say? Interesting. I have a suction gun. But I suppose as long as nothing gets into the boots and into the system and nothing overheats we should be good to go.

Thanks for your input I appreciate it.

 

The busings are part of the arm. Not too bad if the bolts are seized.

Volvo's rarely have injector issues. I didn't know you were doing it for efficiency though. I've never had injectors sent out and checked, but I have consistently gotten the same MPG in my car from when I bought it at 25,000 miles until now at 150,000 miles. So spending several hundred bucks on new injectors would hardly be worth it to make up such a minute difference in efficiency.