Picked up a 1998 V70 non-turbo a month and a half ago. No service records, but was told the timing belt was last done at 90K. Car now has about 150K. Unsure whether I can trust PO so will have mechanic check timing belt visually or just decide to do anyway when I have the money for it. The way I look at it is like buying "insurance".

In terms of what I believe I can do myself, I figured car will need a tune-up at some point. Questions

1) Since I dont know when the plugs were last changed, is there a way to determine when to do this since I can't use the standard "every 30K" rule? Car runs well, no misfires, and am getting 25 MPG gallon (mainly highway).

2) While at it, considering getting the following kit:
Volvo V70 Non Turbo Tune Up Kit Cap Rotor Plugs Wires

Similar question: How can I tell whether I "need" new rotor, cap, wires? Should I just do it anyway, considering price is OK in my books? -Although I have spent quite a bit on the car already, so if I can delay, then also OK (thanks rspi for advising not to do everything right away as there will always be something to do).

3) When I start driving in the morning, I get a weird noise when steering to the left and back (out of drivway). Sounds to me like something needs some lube. After a while it is gone. Powersteering Fluid is at correct level and no leaks. Any advice on what else to check?

Thanks a bunch.

Matt

 

If I had bought it, I would do exactly like you said, have the timing belt checked first, then tune up including an oil change, check out the noise (odd noises usually lead to something), get into a trans service (new fluid, I prefer the home flush method), then go to the other fluid exchanges (brake, power steering, coolant). then look at vacuum hoses, suspension, etc, all the good stage 0 stuff. Do it as time, money and logic dictates. Happy Volvoing

 

Thanks, good to see we are on the same page. I did already do a drain & fill on the tranny, oil was pretty black and I did feel a difference in how it shifts. Will do another one soon (figured I drive in-between for a few hundred miles and then re-do until clear).

I have also already flushed coolant and changed the oil and all filters (including fuel & cabin filter).

What I am still unsure when you say "do a tune-up" is whether that is just the plugs (cheap) or go fully out including what the kit includes, as preventive mtnc. Are you saying you would do all of that as part of tune-up regardless of condition of caps, wires etc? Wires still say Volvo on them so are probably original...

Matt

 

You can do the timing belt yourself in about 2 hours if you're a decent wrench.

 

I would do the all out tune up, just because you don't know what the po did/didnt do.

 

+1 For peace of mind.

 

Hello, If the trannie fluid was black I'd recommend a "self powered flush", the home flush Volvos rock mentioned. Never go to a shop and have it "power flushed" with their machine. You can start with a fresh sump. Do a search on the method. It's so easy to do but like anything else takes volumes to type out. All you need is a 4' length of clear 1/2" tubing, a replacement cooling line clip-green plastic or aluminum cage, the 2 O rings for the cooling line, a gallon jug marked at 2 quarts, a place to recycle the old fluid. Kira

 

Just thought I share some progress... ordered new cap, rotor, plus and wires from fcpgroton, which arrived today. Will install in the next few days. I also inspected the timing belt, no cracks and pulleys do not seem to be leaking. I figured as TB is a more costly job (which I dont have the confidence to do on my own, as I am just starting to get into working on my car) I decided to do the tune-up next. I am also replacing the upper engine mount, was totally worn. Also ordered a new key lock cylinder. More and more often, when I put my key in, I can turn it completely 360 degrees... Which takes a lot of patience to start the car with a lot of fiddling.

Also, FYI, I have installed new sway bar links last weekend. Still have noise, so that was not it - but the links did look pretty bad, am glad that I have replaced them. Was a fairly easy job with all the DIY info on the forum.

BTW, what I am pretty proud of is that I replaced my driver seat skins (got used ones from ebay from a passenger seat) and installed seat warmers, which I got from junk yard along with a stock switch (and the matching coin hodler). It was a time-consuming job, but not that bad once I figured out how to best put the new hog rings on. I used this toolkit, which came with plier and rings - it worked pretty well:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hog-ring-pliers/=bw3euj bottom of the page
92305A250 Each $23.51 pliers and rings.

If anyone considers doing this and has a question, let me know. Sorry no pictures...

 

At that mileage, when you do the timing belt, you would probably want to also replace the water pump and associated pulleys too. When I flushed my transmission, I just reused the clip and put a black nylon tie wrap around it. Did not bother with new O rings either. No leaks to date.

Big congrads on your front seat!

 

at 150k miles, with last T-belt done at 90k... I'd do it soon. 75,000 miles is the usual recommendation- it's what I recommend to my customers. I also usually suggest water pump, timing belt idler, and tensioner at the second change, though there's lots of folks that don't do it until the 3rd