A Volvo's front end is a gathering point for many essential systems. Directly in between the headlights are the A/C condenser, intercooler, radiator/oil cooler, and cooling fan. When they are all working properly there's a good chance you will never open up any of this stuff and they can be left...

Adding an auxiliary input to a car designed in the 1990s is one of the best ways to increase overall enjoyment of the vehicle. Cassette adapters work, but often look sloppy and offer only marginal audio quality. The BlitzSafe VOL / M-Link V.1 is one of the best bang for your buck upgrades for...

Most Volvo parts are designed to and often last a very long time, with the fuel pump being no exception. The fuel pump sending unit only houses a few parts but their perfect function is essential to long life and proper operation. The fuel pump assembly consists of a fuel pump, fuel line,...

While many people seem to enjoy the idea of eliminating their catalytic converter, it is an essential part of the automotive emissions system. The catalytic converter works to change toxic pollutants into less toxic CO2 and water. When such an important mechanism is failing or has failed there...

Despite living in the rust belt of Western New York, I am able to preserve my 99 Volvo V70R in excellent condition by storing it through the cold, corrosive winter months. Prior to storage (Nov 1st is a strict storage deadline by the way) I filled the tank to the brim and used fuel...

A while back I saw a great write-up on the purpose of and reasoning behind replacing the cabin air filter with a reasonable frequency. This is a really quick job taking no more than 10-15 minutes. The cabin filter is also a very affordable replacement part, available in a variety of brands and...

We learn some hard lessons in the DIY world. Computers, cars, houses; they all have hidden pitfalls that if ignored can cost you big time. For too long my most overlooked DIY habit was torquing fasteners. Wheels bolts, brakes, strut towers, engine mounts. If it's mechanical and on a Volvo, you...

A very common wear item on nearly all transverse engine Volvos is the top engine or torque mount. Common symptoms of a failing or failed mount is lurching when first accelerating or applying the brakes. To further verify when a mount is at the end of its life, inspect for visible cracks in the...

Any car owner can probably tell you a horror story of some expensive repair or replacement part gone wrong. My worst one yet has been the ignition cylinder on my '99 Volvo V70R, and in the end it cost $489.00. But, there are certain purchases that are not only cheap, but make a significant...

From the moment I became aware of the Pick 'n' Pull concept I was hooked. The notion you could just go wander a massive field of cars with your vehicle listing in one hand and a spanner in the other is very exciting. Every car and part on the lot is for sale. At some facilities a bucket full of...