Hi my 06 V50 T5 has just started to leak power steering fluid too fast for leak stop. I have checked the reservoir and the pipe down, which is as far as I intend to go.
The car is getting to be too difficult to get in and out of at our age and the wife keeps moaning, so the leak has been the decider.
I have to sort out another used car and need the Volvo in that search. Now the correct steering fluid is very expensive and is there any reason not to use the regular cheap stuff?
Thanks

 

I think if you're buying cars in the 15 year old range, you should reconsider ditching a Volvo V50 (a very reliable car) for an unknown. A power steering fluid leak is usually not a huge deal, unless it's the rack itself that's given up the ghost.

You might read this link...

 

I just pulled the 80 amp PS fuse to give me time to think and for all the fluid to drain off. It is a serious leak, it must be a hose.

 

It's really not hard to find a bad leak (minor leaks can be a LOT more difficult to locate). Just clean up the engine compartment (everywhere that's covered with PS fluid now) and run the car long enough for some fluid to leak out. Find the flow, trace up to the source. Then you know what you're up against. A whole lot less work to spend an hour cleaning and diagnosing than it is to go look at half a dozen over-advertised beat-to-death used cars from Craigslist, after all! ;-)