Dijon16
Hello from a noobie. I have purchased a (cheap) 2004 XC90 2.5T as a runaround for friends, who are ironically from Sweden, and drive an XC90 themselves.
It has 200k km on it, but no books. Does anyone have an extra owners handbook lying around? Can read it on the interweb but would prefer to have a hard copy.
It has only one key. Is it worh the hassle of getting another one coded?
I guess the first thing to get done is a full service with cam belt and associated parts. As I have a trusted mechanic, I am inclined to obtain the parts myself and get him to do all the work.
I am in the Manly area in Sydney. Is there a preferred place to get these parts?
Also is there any particular engine oil that should be used - or avoided?
Lastly, are the any parts of the drivetrain that require particular attention - gearbox/diff/bevel? I have had a read of previous threads, the gearboxes in these seem to have a question mark over them, but on a test drive it behaved ok.
many thanks
Chris
Philia_Bear
Oil
Penrite HPR10 full synthetic
Parts
fcpeuro.com
ipdusa.com
rockauto.com
Service
Replace WP when doing t--belt and also replace the thermostat
The PCV system will be clogged by this point and will need complete replacement
The Bevel gear, haldex unit and rear diff will all need fluid flushed and re-filled
5speed AW trans should also be flushed and filled
Dijon16
Thanks for that.
Anyone with experience on coding another key, or anyone with a spare manual?
Read up a bit on the PCV. Some say to drain the coolant. Is there a trick to topping it up, such as bleeding?
Those parts places are all overseas. Is there not a local source, are they available at the local Volvo dealer, even though they may cost a bit more?
I note that some swear by IDP, and some swear at them.
Chris
Philia_Bear
Dijon16;93253 wroteThanks for that.
Anyone with experience on coding another key, or anyone with a spare manual?
Read up a bit on the PCV. Some say to drain the coolant. Is there a trick to topping it up, such as bleeding?
Those parts places are all overseas. Is there not a local source, are they available at the local Volvo dealer, even though they may cost a bit more?
I note that some swear by IDP, and some swear at them.
Chris
Volvo australia is about 10x the price on most of the bits you need as compared to dealing with the OS peoples
If your sydney based I do keep most things in stock or will order in... but I'm pickup only
Philia_Bear
edit... i'm in blacktown for refrence
You might also talk to Lupica Motors in Morebank as they are the best independent volvo specialist in Sydney and are very affordable
Dijon16
Hello again, couple more relevant questions.
That Penrite oil is a 10W-50, but the manual says 0W-30 for the 2.5T, so a bit confused there.
Also the oil filter, are they generally available at the parts places such as Repco, SCA ? If so, any brand better than any other?
I come from a French car background, and the newer ones, esp with turbos, are quite fussy when it comes to oil specs, so I figure that this engine is too.
Chris
Philia_Bear
Dijon16;93638 wroteHello again, couple more relevant questions.
That Penrite oil is a 10W-50, but the manual says 0W-30 for the 2.5T, so a bit confused there.
Also the oil filter, are they generally available at the parts places such as Repco, SCA ? If so, any brand better than any other?
I come from a French car background, and the newer ones, esp with turbos, are quite fussy when it comes to oil specs, so I figure that this engine is too.
Chris
Volvo spec oil for emissions reasons
Thin oil means slightly better fuel economy
They also spec oil as one grade for the entire wold
Australia does not see the -50c that northern sweeden does
The penrite 10w50 is 100x better protecting than the oem spec 0w30
Oil filter
Get bosch or mann
precopster
Hmm my own experience with the Made in USA budget Bosch filters was very bad. They crushed badly in 2 different cars both bought about 3 years ago from FCP and one of them so badly deformed that a hole developed.
Since then I changed to Mahle and K & N without a problem. No problems with Mann either. I hope Bosch has their act back together now. I won't touch them ever again. There is a Premium Bosch range which costs slightly more and don't know how these perform.
Philia_Bear
I always assume people buy the nice bosch unit
precopster
Haha. People buy what's cheaper in most cases.
The one that failed twice on me is the 72206WS and said Made in USA
The good one is a 3412 Premium Oil Filter
bigal
How bout ryco? :-)
Dijon16
Indeed, I wondered about Ryco. As I wanted to do an oil change now, I got the 2599 model. Checked the filter I took off, that was also a 2599, Oil was black.
Couple more questions, if I may :
- the idle is erratic, below 650 to over 800. I suspect this is because of the blocked PCV system. MAF sensor looked quite clean.
- the power steering is lumpy and pulses, with a sort of gyroscopic effect. Will get the PSF changed as a first item of problem determination. I understand that these cars are quite specific when it comes to this fluid, and that from Volvo itself probably requires a bank loan. Is there any viable alternative (such as Redline) or is it not worth the risk?
- I'd like to change the spark plugs, currently has PFR6G in it, which seems to be a valid alternative. As above, I'd have to mortgage the house to buy the genuine article, even though these seem to be working well, even when well worn.
Is there a known wrecker in Sydney where I can get small items of trim?
All info and thoughts welcomed.
Chris
bigal
I generally go ryco from the local auto stores. If I'm more organised I'll order a genuine oil filter.
In other words.. the volvos get rycos :-)
bigal
Except the audi.. always genuine for that cause there's an audi dealer next suburb over.
bigal
Also, i had some funky power steering issues in the xc90.. lumpy to turn and groaning. I found the power steering fluid to be almost non existant.. felt great after some fluid. Perhaps yours vanished like mine? Go the recomended penrite PSF.
bigal
And for trim.. try @VolvoDeger . He helped me with a pile of good used trim. Very happy. Got a nice woodgrain set.
Dijon16
Thanks for all the feedback and advice. Here is the result of the jury :
- Repco, nul points. The wanted 37$ for the NGK plug, when my local dealer (of Volvos, that is) had the OEM kit for 170$, ie 34 each. No brainer.
- PSF, OEM is 69 per litre, Penrite make a CHF11s called LDAS for 42.
@bigal, the psf level was a bit low, topped it up, no difference, so I will get a couple of litres and have it flushed. It could be argued that this amount could go direct into tie rods or a pump or whatever, but it needs changing anyway, and I am having it checked over first before actioning it.
Chris
Philia_Bear
The pump is known to fail, the rack is also known to cause the exact issue you describe if its well worn
starting out with a flush is a good idea and the penrite LDAS is really good fluid
FCPeuro.com for the plugs, $100aus +shipping
They have cheap shipping so just order some other stuff including the PCV kit you need at the same time
its really stupid about plugs... but I have never found a single plug that works as well as the volvo's except for Beru (who make the plugs for volvo)
@VolvoDeger
for trim, he is VIC based but is really good to work with
Dijon16
Quick update, I got the LDAS from AutoBarn (warriewood) for $30. Shelf price same as online price.
Forgot about fuel filter. Any recommendations?
Ex850R
While you order all the other bits from FCP Euro. get plugs and fuel fuel etc.
A brilliant seller, will ship within a week to your door usually!
