I am looking to buy a used 2001 Volvo V70. I just totaled out a 2000 Volvo S40 when I hit a deer and need a replacement that is bigger for my expanding family. First I have a question on an oil leak on one of the two cars I am looking at. Second an opinion on what road to take.

The car I am looking at is a 2001 Volvo V70 with the 2.4T engine in it. It is 2wd and has around 150,000 miles on it. The car is in pristine condition with absolutley no wear on it. Very odd for a car with that many miles. When I looked a the car I had them put it up on a lift so I could inspect it for oil leaks as early on my S40 had a bad variable timing gear that slung oil everywhere and cost my $1000 to replace along with the timing belt that was soaked with oil. On the lift I noticed a drip of oil on the bottom of the turbo (I just driven the car for 10 minutes to ensure I got oil flowing on the cleaned engine). I had them pull the covers off the top of the engine and sure enough the covers hid oil all around the spark plugs. this eerily similar to the condition my S40 had. There was very little oil anywhere under the car. Only place I saw it was on the turbo which caused me to pull covers.

My questions:
When the return line leaks on a V70 does it get slung back up tot the top of the engine on the timing belt?
I noticed many people on this forum having leaky oil fill caps. How common is that?
What is the worst case scenario on repairing this oil leak and the cost? (I assume replacing the turbo.

As my Volvo mechanic is out Skiing for Christmas and all the other shops are backed up for the holidays, I am having trouble getting an inspection. So any feedback would be appreciated.

Second Part: Opinion on top two cars:

2001 Volvo V70 2.4T; 2wd; 150,000 miles; EXC overall condition with only one minor blemish in upholstery I found; (with turbo oil leak); cold weather package, leather, power seats etc. Asking $4800 told me he would take $4200 and I fix oil leak. Car needs a set of tires and wipers.

Car #2
2001 Volvo Cross Country; AWD; 86,000 miles leather; cold weather; Not in as good as condition as the one above. Appears a family had it before so there is wear on the interior. Nothing broken just wear on the handles etc. Exterior is in good shape. Dealer painted the plastic trim on the car from blue to grey due to fading (is the silver car with blue trim). Oh, this car has been inspected/serviced by my normal mechanic. The dealer uses him for his Volvos. I have not seen the inspection report, yet. Asking $7400.


I live in Nashville, TN so light snow 2-3 times a year that does not stick around. AWD would be nice but not a necessity. I have $5000 cash to spend and $4000 preapproved loan check. If I can avoid a payment all the better.

What car would you buy in my situation?

Thanks in advance for reading my long post an replying.

 

Do you know if the flame trap has been replaced on the first vehicle? It sounds like the hose that goes from the top of the engine to the flame trap box has a leak which will cause oil to get around the spark plugs.

I just worked on a friends car last week who had the same issue which was caused by a clogged flame trap box. After I replaced the box and hoses the leak was gone.

 

Well I called my Volvo repar shop to ask about the leak. keep in mind he is gone on vacation. The front desk guy told me Not to buy a 2000-2001 V70 because the transmissions are horrible. He said only buy a 2003 or newer.

I don't know this guys background so I don't know what to do with the information. Wondering if the message board could help.

Also the 80k mile cross country has been sold. I was waiting for it to come off deposit from a lady, but she bought it this morning.

Would you buy the other car?

 

Zero, I thought the turbo do not use the flame trap box.

 

Yep the turbo's do have a flame trap box also. Here is the link from FCP Groton for the kit.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/63

The guy at the front desk is correct that the transmissions on the 01 and 02 models do have problems, especially if they are not maintained properly. I myself have a 01 V70 non-turbo and purchased it 2yrs ago with 110k on it and the previous owner never flushed the transmission fluid. It did start having mild shifting issues when I got the car so I flushed it and got lucky that it fixed the problems I was having. I also had to replace the torque mount and since have had no issue with the transmission and my v70 now has 165k on it.

 

Wound up driving to Knoxville and picked up a 2002 Volvo V70 XC in exc shape with 120,000 miles. Looked at Volvos for 5 days but finally got one worth buying. Thanks for your help zero.