Go To SiteUpper Engine Mount FailureBeginning with the 1993 850 Volvo began using an upper engine mount (also called the upper engine stabilizer) that helped to control engine movement especially during acceleration. The mount has been a continual sore spot among owners of these models as the mount often fails in as little as 10,000 miles, resulting in an alarming knock when accelerating or shifting gears. Volvo has superceded the part to new improved designs (several times) that last a bit longer, but the problem still persists even in models as new as 2008. One tricky aspect of it is that’s it’s difficult to tell if the bushing has failed. Generally the lower contact area where the center rubber bushing attaches to the outer housing will shear and break free from the outer housing, but at first glance it will appear intact. Take a closer look and have someone grab the oil filler cap and rock the engine back and forth and look for signs of separation.
Anti Sway Bar End Link FailureAll 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models ( as well as most 2001 2008 S60, S80, V70 and XC 90 models) use anti sway bar end links with ball joint connections. These have proven to be short lived in the Volvo application and routinely wear out and begin knocking and clunking in as little as 10,000 miles of use. If left unattended, the links can break, disconnecting the anti sway bar from the chassis, resulting in very poor handling response and random clunks and knocks.
Front Strut Mount FailureAll 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models ( as well as most 2001 2008 S60, S80, V70 and XC 90 models) use a rubber encased upper spring seat / strut mount that suffers from premature failure. Symptoms of a strut mount that has failed or is on the way out are creaking / groaning sounds during low speed turning. You can also visually inspect the mounts from the engine compartment and looks for signs of the rubber pulling away from the center sleeve or for sings of cracking. If left unattended, the noise can turn into clunking or worse if it fails completely, the strut shaft can break through the mount and damage / dent the hood of the car.
Fuel Door Hinge FailureAll 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models (as well as most 2001 2008 S60, S80, V70 and XC 90 models) use a plastic gas cap door hinge that commonly fails at around 60,000 miles or so. Not the end of the world, but it does leave your gas door hanging from the side of your Volvo, which doesn’t look too cool and is not good for the paint job!
Automatic Transmission Shift Interlock FailureThe shift interlock is an electronic override that prevents the driver from being able to shift the car from “PARK” into “DRIVE” unless the driver is applying the brakes. When this part fails (and it does on a regular basis) the car can no longer be driven unless the driver happens to know that there is an emergency override button that can be pressed to allow the shifter to be moved. Fortunately, the shift interlock micro-switch is fairly easy to replace.
ABS Control Module FailureMany 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models can have issues with the ABS control module that can cause the ABS warning lamp to illuminate. The most common cause is related to an internal failure of the module that causes it to erroneously report an error for a faulty right rear wheel sensor. You replace the sensor and fins that you still have the problem!
Tailgate Interior Panel FailureAll 1993-97 850 wagon and all 1998-2000 V70 models have a problem of the interior tailgate panel breaking away from the tail gate, leaving the panel hanging loose from the gate and interfering with the function of the tail gate lock / latch.
Oil Filler Cap Seal Failure All 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models (as well as most 2001 2008 S60, S80, V70 and XC 90 models) use a large rubber washer under the oil filler cap to provide a leak proof seal, which it does well until it ages and becomes rock hard. Once it has hardened, it no longer seals properly and begins to leak oil that drains back into the top of the cam cover and eventually finds it’s way into the spark plug cavities as well as all over the rest of your engine. It’s not uncommon to find that one or two of the spark plug cavities have become full of oil and are shorting out under high load conditions due to the oil contamination. Prevent this by replacing the 80 cent oil cap seal at every other oil change.
Odometer / Tripmeter Failure On all 1993-1997 850 models a small plastic gear drives the odometer & trip meter functions. These gears are prone to cracking as they age resulting in intermittent or complete loss of odometer/ trip meter function.
Crankcase Ventilation System Failure (PCV/Flame trap)All 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models (as well as most 2001 2007 S60, S80, V70 and XC 90 models) use a complicated crankcase vent system to prevent the build u of pressure inside the engine. Since the mid 70’s Volvo owners have had problems with this system clogging up with oil deposits. Once the system plugs up, crankcase pressure builds high enough to cause oil to be forced past engine seals resulting in oil leaks around the engine. Another problem with this system is the many small vacuum lines used become brittle and crack, rendering the system inoperable as well as causing idle and drivability issues. Since the lines are buried under the intake manifold, it’s difficult to diagnose. To keep the system operating properly it’s a good idea to visually inspect the lines every other oil change and completely replace all the associated components every 80-100,000 miles.
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