New Toy - 1998 V70R

[CosmicBike]

This thing has impeccable timing. All set for the MOT on Thursday, driving to work tonight the engine management light comes on! Nothing has changed so I wonder if I have disturbed a connector perhaps, I needed to lift the engine an inch or so to swap the lower arm. Will looksy tomorrow and plug in the free Vol-FCR to see if I get anything...

[CosmicBike]

Well the free copy of Vol-FCR identified one DTC code but wouldn't tell me what it was. Battery disconnected for 20 minutes cleared the light, and after a spirited drive to the MOT garage this morning I'm pleased to have a clean pass with no advisories. Niggles now I guess, like the NSR window not working, and indeed the speaker in the same door.

[Luxobarge]

Well done. What was the code?

Edit: Ignore above, I just realised you won't know as it won't tell you. Initially I thought you meant that you had a code but you didn't know what was causing it, but in fact perhaps it's not even telling you what the code is, just that you have one (had!). Ignore me, I'm an idiot. Cheers

[CosmicBike]

Ever since replacing the drivers side lower arm and engine mount I've has a droning noise at 30mph upwards, most noticeable when lifting off the throttle and cruising down from circa 45mph to 30 mph. I thought maybe front wheel bearings, but stripped both sides down to the hub and spun up with the big listening screwdriver and they are silent. I'm wondering if it could be front wheel alignment, after all, I haven't had it done after swapping both front struts and the lower arm.

[CosmicBike]

Finally got around to having the alignment done by my local indie tyre fitter/wheel man. All very fancy digital stuff and the OSF which I changed the lower arm on was nearly 2 degrees out which explains the horrible front end feel. Vastly improved now, but the drone remains. I had a similar experience when I changed the engine mounts on my 240, which over time has gone silent, so I do wonder if it's related to having new, hard rubber mounts installed.

[CosmicBike]

More bits to keep me busy. Offside Nivomat boot was split, so stripped the shock off yesterday, bit of heat saw the lower mounting eyelet come off the shaft OK which made fitting the new Volvo boot really easy. No signs of any leaks on the shock so caught it early enough. Annoyingly when under the car found the outer brake pad virtually non-existant, but the inner one as new. Something else to order, it's off the road at the moment for....
The dreaded oil cooler pipe leaks! I have searched for the normally aspirated oil plate which essentially deletes the oil cooler, guru Robert has done extensive testing and found it makes no difference. Can't find one in the UK, so I'm either rebuilding the lines or ordering from the USA where it's still available. Took a good hour to strip it all out this afternoon, sod of a job.
On the plus side, fixed the rear screen washer jet, blocked pipework cleared with a quick blast of compressed air back down the flexi pipe in the tailgate.

[CosmicBike]

Actually quite a positive few hours on the car the last couple of days. Stripped the stuck caliper down and found the inner pad rusted to it! And these were apparently replaced not long before I bought the car.... All cleaned up, was loads of material left on the pads, so new retaining pins and springs from the every growing parts bin and that's 1 issue resolved.
Oil cooler, well I stripped it all out, made a bypass loop with oil hose and swore a bit getting it all back in. Seems OK so far but only done a few test miles, will keep a close eye. Still seeking the correct part, available to order from the USA which landed comes in around £70. Cheaper than replacing the lines with genuine Volvo items, but about on a par with rebuilding the lines myself....

[CosmicBike]

This thing just keeps giving! Dropped the undertray this morning and found green water in it. I've been chasing a small water leak for ages, so minor it is almost non-existent, so put UV dye in the water. Well, today I found it and not surprised the rad has failed on the top corner of the plastic. Ho hum, new one on the way.

[CosmicBike]

Back on the road today! Oil cooler delete completed, and since the coolant leak is minor decided to bring to work tonight. Makes a change from the 240 daily driver, and the Ford Galaxy dog bus!

[CosmicBike]

This thing is sent to try me! A break in the weather and I started to remove bits to get the old radiator out. All going very well, happy me. Ony when it got to removing the pair of blots which hold the triple radiator pack to the car did the trouble start. Despite plenty of plusgas and being left, they both managed only a few turns before snapping their little spot welds or whatever holds them in place. Much fighting later and I cut the radiator mounts off with a multi-tool, then had space to get in with grips and an impact gun to get them out. Will rebuild with new rivnuts in when the time comes.
Fingers crossed for a bit more dry weather and hopefully finish up soon.