flangewagonz
hey guys, just joined having just picked up a cheap v70xc. mixed feelings about it - lovely refined thing to drive, but an eon away from a 240/740/940 in the keep going and going stakes, which to me kind of helps define a volvo.
i took it on a slippery, steep, uneven surface on which i wouldn't take a normal car, and it felt like engine power was being cut, which is how i understand the trac control should work. the next drive it felt like it had a coil pack out but im pretty sure what i was feeling earlier was trac control, not a coil failing. but there is no button on the dash as per the manual to turn it off. was trac control standard in australia? if it was standard, was it an ADR issue that it couldn't be switched off? if it was an option, it surprises me this example doesnt have it as it is otherwise really well specified with GPS, elec front seats, wood, dolby stereo, etc.
who repairs the instrument clusters in australia (preferably SA)? when it works it works as it should, but sometimes it cuts out or the needles stick. flexing the cluster from behind (with the surround off) brings it all back to life.
the car has 130,000km and it is shifting well. i have read that updating the trans software is likely to prolong the life of the box. i have also read that the problem was the car going into neutral while idling in drive and that the update addresses this. is that right? this one seems to behave like a normal old auto - just sits in gear - does this mean it has had the update?
otherwise... bad oil leak from the front, looks like inlet cam seal. have ordered the locking tools and relevant bits.
front shocks a bit worn and a few clunks from worn engine mounts.
key fob lock button didn't work, took it aoart and resoldered the lock button and that now works well.
basically it is a sound enough car but the list of things is long enough that if someone had to pay retail at a workshop, it'd be an economic write off, especially with relative uncertainty about the trans. i am guessing this is a pretty typical story of these at 17 years of age. it seems a shame that should be the case given how well 240s aged. granted, a vast difference in complexity...
