Hi folks,

Great forum!

I am contemplating purchasing a 2005 XC70 with about 120K miles on it for around $7,000. The owner reports:

Heat/AC fan stopped working
Crankcase ventilation 'hose' broken
Needs timing belt

How much effort is involved with each of these jobs on the XC70? I don't mind bringing the vehicle in to a shop, but I'm more likely to tackle these jobs myself. Lots of effort? How about the fan.. what are most likely culprits in your experience?

Any other words of wisdom on whether this is a good idea or not are welcome and much appreciated! Anything in particular to look for when test driving and examining this vehicle?

Thank you.

 

IF the timing belt has never been done, I'd worry about potential for it breaking in transit. Whatever the manu recomendations, 100k on a belt would worry me. A new blower for heat/AC is not a huge deal, if that's the problem. Would think it is most likely that, or electrical. But the expert mechanics here are who you need to hear from.

 

Thank you for the reply, Bulldog.

I took a look at it in person today, and besides the aforementioned problems it looks pretty good. I plan to have a locl independent Volvo shop look at it before I make an offer. I may just make an offer contingent on the current owner getting everything fixed first.

 

With the earlier cars, I have a 98, it's very advisable to replace the pulleys when replacing the belt. Ask me how I know.

Tech Tip #10054 - Timing Belt Catastrophe - The Importance of Changing Associated Parts When Changing a Timing Belt

 

Are you the "good friend" mentioned on that web page??? Yikes, nothing like a good interference engine disaster.

Thanks for the tip.

 

Good call, RbRoy. If having a mechanic do it, good idea to make sure they're doing it all the right way.

 

I wasn't the "good friend" mentioned on the web page.
My story is that I bought the car with 107k miles on it. In the engine compartment was a Volvo service "timing belt changed" sticker with the mileage marked as 77k. Fast forward to a small town off of route 70 in eastern Colorado almost 200 miles from Denver (driving home to NY). One of the pulleys fail releasing tension on the belt. Belt comes of the cams. Broken down in the middle of nowhere.
At that point the replaced belt may have had 50k on it. Most likely the dealer that replaced the belt didn't do the pulleys.
RR

 

Always replace the pulleys and tensioner when doing the timing belt. I would replace the water pump at the same time even if it is not leaking.

 

I ended up buying the car after the owner had the timing belt/waterpump/pulleys replaced, and got the cabin fan replaced. I also replaced the battery. Now I need to fix the crankcase vent hose.

By the way, if anyone needs a battery I got mine at Advance Auto. Type in promotion code VISA at checkout you get $50 off a $150 order. The battery was $124.99. I added a bunch of other things to get the total up to $150. And then I checked out for $100 + tax. Not bad... thought it was worth sharing.


AutoCraft GoldBattery, Group Size 48H6, 600 CCA
Part No 48H6
36 MO.FREE REPL 84 MO.PRORATED