Did all P2 XC70's suffer from valvebody problems?

[supton]

Astro14 has me interested in the XC70's with 2.5T's, sounds like something that might serve my some of my needs, despite the low mpg's. But it's all the "what-if's" that stop me. It looks quite involved to replace the valvebody and I get the impression that all AW50-55's across the 2001-2007 span suffer from the malady--earlier more so, some revision in 2004 or thereabouts. Is this true?

All used cars are a gamble; that I know. But unless if the service records indicate that VB was replaced, is it just a matter of time?

 

[Bailes1992]

My Wife had a 2007 Saab 95 with the AW50-55 that had the occasional light shift flare which I believe was down to a tired valve body. That said, they've been around long enough now that there's how-to guides everywhere and I think it would be something I'd be comfortable DIY-ing.

 

[supton]

My Wife had a 2007 Saab 95 with the AW50-55 that had the occasional light shift flare which I believe was down to a tired valve body. That said, they've been around long enough now that there's how-to guides everywhere and I think it would be something I'd be comfortable DIY-ing.

I read the DIY and it's a bit daunting. Link. I also am not sure on the VB procurement, not sure if they are as easily sourced as before.

 

[Bailes1992]

I read the DIY and it's a bit daunting. Link. I also am not sure on the VB procurement, not sure if they are as easily sourced as before.

I just had a quick look and found new valve bodies easily available. Some as cheap as £40 on AliExpress. Would you trust a valve body from AliExpress? Not sure.

I'd consider that DIY-able. Maybe not as simple as I remembered.

 

[meep]

I had a 2004 p2 bought at 100k with a 1-2 shift flare, low-to-moderate. I did 2 drain/fills with amsoil and installed a magnefine, and didn’t push it until it hit second gear. In 20k miles, the flare was gone. There may have been a 3rd drain/fill done somewhere in there. At 30k I changed the magnefine. We put another 80k on it and the transmission shifted like new when it was eventually towed to a yard.

I test drove a number of p2s over the years. Transmission flare was common on the normally-aspirated motors. It was not common on the turbo models in my experience.

@supton if you have the interest, I’d say give it a shot. Yes, there is a slight learning curve just because they do things a little differently than the Japanese models, but these cars have a lot of quality in their bones, they drive well, they are super comfortable, quiet inside, and simply have something unique about them. They are picky about replacement electronics and that’s an area where they don’t reward cutting corners.

I had 3 s60s, all purchased with over 100k on them and did not have VB issues.

 

[supton]

I had a 2004 p2 bought at 100k with a 1-2 shift flare, low-to-moderate. I did 2 drain/fills with amsoil and installed a magnefine, and didn’t push it until it hit second gear. In 20k miles, the flare was gone. There may have been a 3rd drain/fill done somewhere in there. At 30k I changed the magnefine. We put another 80k on it and the transmission shifted like new when it was eventually towed to a yard.

I test drove a number of p2s over the years. Transmission flare was common on the normally-aspirated motors. It was not common on the turbo models in my experience.

@supton if you have the interest, I’d say give it a shot. Yes, there is a slight learning curve just because they do things a little differently than the Japanese models, but these cars have a lot of quality in their bones, they drive well, they are super comfortable, quiet inside, and simply have something unique about them. They are picky about replacement electronics and that’s an area where they don’t reward cutting corners.

I had 3 s60s, all purchased with over 100k on them and did not have VB issues.

Thanks, good info. Still on the fence. Wife thinks I should at least test drive it, I'm concerned that I might just cave and buy--I have a nasty tendency to do just that. I want the utility (maybe not the fuel bill), flexibility in vehicles (not enough cars around here), and our CRV is a bit old in tooth. I don't think it'd be wise to tug around my enclosed trailer but I could finally put my 4x8 back to use.

Link. Carfax looks decent (oddity with the owners but I think it's just paperwork snafus). Not so sure on price. But no price is great these days... Find a set of rims, set of snows, and a trailer hitch, and maybe I'd be set for a few years.

 

[meep]

The mileage really isn’t high. Also this is a 5 cylinder, which was easier on the trans than the 6 in the larger body. And, it doesn’t look like it’s been run hard. And it has the turbo. and to my eye, the front seats appear to have been re-sewn, and sewn professionally. It looks like someone took care of this one.

I know I’m not helping you save your money, but at least topically this looks like a nice option.