Got an extended test drive of one. Unfortunately at home the battery seems to have gone dead. Right now all the electronics are wonky despite putting a charger on it (and looking like the battery is charged), even aftera jump and a drive around town sitting parked in the driveway the dash board lit up like a christmas tree, and that seems to be it. Other than that there seems to be some sludging inside the oil cap, but my 81 doesn't look all that different despite good maintenance. Any bad electrical problems or other issues I should be away of? Is the service manual available for download?

Thanks.

 

I suppose the real question is is it going to be anywhere near as reliable as the 81?

 

It may not be as reliable. But you have to remember the new ones have a ton more electronics than the 81.
Sounds like the Alt. brush pack is bad on the V70.

 

Man if you see sludging don't go there, the galleries are quite narrow i am told,
it's not hard to block them up, i have had quite a bit of trouble of late with oil pressure problem's,
oil pump was gunked up from sludging & varnish build up, my car has all the dealer stamps in the book and there are still problem's. iv'e just paid out over $1700.00 and really no explanation was given regarding the problem. 56,000miles on the clock....
The car is running fine now but with 40-70 oil to create some pressure.
I don't mean to scare you, but if i were you with the electric problems and signs of sludging
i would run a mile, (you would probably get there faster than in the volvo anyway??)

v70 2.4t