Volvo has long been a premium brand worthy of its name, producing top-level vehicles like the S80 V8 Executive, luxury performance cars like the S60R, and the indestructibly solid XC90. These cars are designed to excite the driver, while creating an atmosphere that keeps them coddled in the arms of a sumptuous and warm leather driver's seat. Volvo has always been about comfort and class, but what happens when one falls into the hands of an owner that just doesn't care? Let's take a trip to the proverbial junkyard and ask, what's the easiest way to take a vehicle with such brand heritage and reduce it to the ranks of a $500 Craigslist fixer-upper?
Clogged PCV Port
1. Use cheap oil
Most late model Volvos spec high quality synthetic oil in their engines with an appropriate service interval to boot. Even older models can benefit from a great oil that can reduce the onset of sludge. But using cheap, no-name conventional oil can wreak havoc on a Volvo PCV system, and cleaning it out is no joke. If you love blue smoke in your exhaust, along with endless oil leaks under the hood, use the worst possible oil you can. If I recall correctly, an oil called "Wolf's Head" exists. Let's never go there.
2. Never vacuum or dust
We all have car problems. It's probably the reason you're reading this blog. They're a part of owning an old Volvo, whether it be a 240, S60, or an 850R. Just because a car has a recurring check engine light or a leaky exhaust doesn't mean it shouldn't be a nice place to ride. For example: The one thing I appreciated most about my friend's old Ford Escort was the fact that he kept the interior mint, despite the car having a few issues. It was always a great car to ride around in. (As much as an old Escort can be, I suppose.) Volvos have always been near-luxury vehicles. I think they should be kept clean all the time, because all of them are comfortable, and all of them are neat.
3. Leave things broken
Old Volvo is old. If it gets you from point A to point B, it's served its purpose. But that doesn't mean it can't be a comfortable, attractive place to be. Many interior pieces for '98+ Volvos are still available in dealer catalogs at often reasonable prices, including the vast array of courtesy bulbs. Did you know that the 12V outlets in a Volvo S70 are (supposed to be) illuminated? Repairing the little details like this keep your car feeling fresh and relevant, while remaining car-payment free. So, go out and snag that new center console that cracked around the armrest, or buy that new window switch that's reduced itself to dust. Your Volvo has a lot more life left in it than it wants you to believe, even if the interior plastics are more brittle than osteoporosis.
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4. Use Inferior Parts
Nothing gets a Volvo running worse than with poor quality aftermarket parts. Step into any big box parts store and you'll find a plethora of third-party parts and accessories that aren't built to the same standard as Genuine or high quality Volvo parts are. For instance, a PCV system replaced using inferior rubber hoses will not only crack in short order, but save you money too! This stuff works for the daily driver, but aftermarket and remanufactured parts are often a gamble at these places.
On the other hand - Proven, quality aftermarket parts do exist, and aren't expensive either. You just have to know where to find them. Meyle is one of my favorites for Volvo parts, and others like Lemforder are actually the OEM for some German and Swedish brands.
About the Author: Alex Fiehl
Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and an IT technician from Endwell, NY. He has over 8 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but lately is partial to Volvo . For some reason he just purchased a Volkswagen, and is excited to see what breaks first.
