Volvo XC90 - talk to me

XC90 is too suitable and has too much to go wrong.

The 960 and it's stablemates are out because the ocuk arm chair experts brigade have decreed that driving a RWD car in snow will lead to instadeath.

So the obvious answer is a car from Holland.

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geekman said:
So far I've done Mexico to Miami in an old Range Rover Sport, Texas to Monterrey in an old Rolls Royce, and various mountain / off roading trips in old Defenders and Jeeps. This year I want to buy something Bentley / Rolls like in the UK, drive it around Europe for a bit, then ship it back over to Mexico. I'm also planning an off road Rolls Royce build this year and a drive from Monterrey to Alaska in 2025, although that will be in something relatively modern.
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If you ever do some stupid **** with cars in Europe, let me know. Since I split with the wife it's been amazing to be able to just do as much random stuff as I like. I'd be there in a heartbeat for a leg!
 
Martynt74 said:
And there's me thinking you might miss her!
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Haha we get on really well, to be fair. I see her probably 4 times a week sometimes. I'm still going to Thailand with her (and the kids) in Feb, so it's good we can communicate. Plus, she now can't give me **** for impulsive stupid **** I do. Bonus.

I've just booked a one way ticket to LHR with BA for the 3rd Feb. Used some avios so cost me 37CHF in the end, so bargain.
I'll get the train / coach down (coach is actually quicker and cheaper and goes to the same place) - Coach is 14quid.

Messaged the guy and he said he's 5mins from the bus / train station (same place) so he'll come pick me up.

Now... wonder if I can pick up a car trailer while I'm here :cry::cry: I think that has to be on the list since that will make life so much easier collecting random ****! :D:D
 

This will be the intro for the XC90 video. I'm going to try this year. I mean, do the best I can and keep trying to put the best out there I can. Let's see where it all goes.

All the build/ collection / breaking videos will be on there, but the other main epic trips and adventures will be on my other channel @randomshenans, which is on there anyway.
 
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She is completely filthy. Drivers window doesn't go up the whole way. A lovely knocking under load (possible engine mount or lower wishbone bush), cracked rear light, front lights need a polish. Whole car needs a severe detail.

But still made it 1175km in the last 24hrs!
 
I personally wouldn't be at all surprised if it makes it with ease, I've had a couple of old Volvos (V70 D5's) and both have been not the best of examples but neither the worst either.

The worst issue I've had was a split coolant pipe, otherwise both have managed well over 40k miles between them...

I bought them as I wanted a cheap old car that wouldn't let me down and - touch wood - haven't been yet!
 
Scania said:
I bought them as I wanted a cheap old car that wouldn't let me down and - touch wood - haven't been yet!
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It sounds terrible when you're in low gears on the gas or up a hill on the gas, so think it's something like a bush / mount issue, because if it's not on load or moving, the engine is smooth as anything! With a few things done it'll be so much nicer than it is.

I mean, working air con, working electric seat, working cruise control!
 
randomshenans said:
It sounds terrible when you're in low gears on the gas or up a hill on the gas, so think it's something like a bush / mount issue, because if it's not on load or moving, the engine is smooth as anything! With a few things done it'll be so much nicer than it is.

I mean, working air con, working electric seat, working cruise control!
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Sounds like a mount, my first V70 did that, to be honest I lived with it! - quite a common problem with them as they age - my current one is starting to show signs of the same issue but at the moment at least it's barely noticeable even with the radio off.
 
Scania said:
Sounds like a mount, my first V70 did that, to be honest I lived with it! - quite a common problem with them as they age - my current one is starting to show signs of the same issue but at the moment at least it's barely noticeable even with the radio off.
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Yea, I read all about the mounts yesterday. Since I'll be going pretty far and it's damn noticable, I'll be changing it out. Same with the head unit that doesn't work. I have one lined up that's a double din and works with wheel controls etc / android auto. Since when adding that, I'll add the reverse cam too (never normally bother) but the headlining is sagging and the A pilars are peeling (and they're both beige, but everything else is black) so I'm going to take it all out and retrim them. I've ordered some nice black headlining material online for 50quid. There is no sunroof, which makes it much easier.

I'll get it up on some jack stands in the garage and see what is causing the knocking and replace that as soon as I have cleaned it all up. I have all service items for it, too.
 
Yaayuh! said:
Torque mount maybe.

Either way, it's going to be some sort of perished bushing/mount, so not really one to worry about.
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Yea, that's what I figured. It'll be something like that. The box feels nice, as does the clutch and engine, so has to be perished rubber / mount. All on that seem pretty average and not too expensive to fix.

My list of things to sort on it, is currently:

  • Polish headlights (eventually I'll replace lens & put in LHD projectors)
  • Rear light cracked (50quid ebay)
  • Fix vibration / rubber issue
  • Remove, clean and refit both side steps (drivers side bolt rusted out so not attached)
  • full exterior detail inc. refinishing and touch up of black parts
  • Fix window drivers side (hoping I can just manually reset the up position)
  • Fix rear parking sensors (if one sensor goes the whole system throws an error, 30quid ebay)
  • Fit double din stereo
  • Remove headlining & re-cover
  • Remove A + B pillars and re-cover
  • Full interior deep clean
  • Fix fold in mirrors
  • Swap out sun visors & grab handles for black ones

That's about it, really. They're all pretty basic things and nice to haves vs. needed but will make such a huge difference to the car and how it looks and feels. For the few hundred cost of all that, it'll make it such a nice space to be for some decent long trips.
 
randomshenans said:
Yea, that's what I figured. It'll be something like that. The box feels nice, as does the clutch and engine, so has to be perished rubber / mount. All on that seem pretty average and not too expensive to fix.

My list of things to sort on it, is currently:

  • Polish headlights (eventually I'll replace lens & put in LHD projectors)
  • Rear light cracked (50quid ebay)
  • Fix vibration / rubber issue
  • Remove, clean and refit both side steps (drivers side bolt rusted out so not attached)
  • full exterior detail inc. refinishing and touch up of black parts
  • Fix window drivers side (hoping I can just manually reset the up position)
  • Fix rear parking sensors (if one sensor goes the whole system throws an error, 30quid ebay)
  • Fit double din stereo
  • Remove headlining & re-cover
  • Remove A + B pillars and re-cover
  • Full interior deep clean
  • Fix fold in mirrors
  • Swap out sun visors & grab handles for black ones

That's about it, really. They're all pretty basic things and nice to haves vs. needed but will make such a huge difference to the car and how it looks and feels. For the few hundred cost of all that, it'll make it such a nice space to be for some decent long trips.
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My dad has been through 4 or so Volvos in this range, his experiences bribing me into working on them suggests you also check:

- [If Auto] Gearbox fluid level - ignore any volvo "filled for life" nonsense and change if dark
- [If Diesel] Swirl flap linkage and actuator (car still runs if it pops apart, but with less power)
- Torque mount (as you already found)
- Front lower ball joints
- Power steering pump bearing seal (leaks for 20k, then suddenly dumps all the fluid)
- Plugs that push onto headlight bulbs burn out, replace with later volvo ceramic items.
 
Nomisf said:
- [If Auto] Gearbox fluid level - ignore any volvo "filled for life" nonsense and change if dark
- [If Diesel] Swirl flap linkage and actuator (car still runs if it pops apart, but with less power)
- Torque mount (as you already found)
- Front lower ball joints
- Power steering pump bearing seal (leaks for 20k, then suddenly dumps all the fluid)
- Plugs that push onto headlight bulbs burn out, replace with later volvo ceramic items.
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Legend, thank you! I'll make sure I look at all of these as a part of my "what's broken with my XC90" :D
 
Nomisf said:
No worries :D In all the years he has had XC90s & 70s he has yet to be left at the side of the road - hopefully you have the same luck!
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Now you've said it...

haha I'm sure it'll be fine here, it's more the 6500km arctic weather that concerns me, but I'll make the old thing ready!
 
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