Prospective buyer, thumping in 2007 XC70

[DME]

Hiya,

I have spent many hours poring over this forum :) I have a '97 855 that is getting a little long in the tooth. I located a 2007 XC70 at a local Chrysler dealer. They took it on trade & don't know the first thing about it. I believe it has all three packages, xenons, upgraded stereo, 17" wheels, navigation, maybe a couple other things, sitting around 68K. Has some service records from local Volvo dealer with it.

Second, while driving after a few minutes I noticed that at idle and at very low speed/coasting (going straight) there was an intermittent thudding of sorts in the front. Had to have the radio off and fan down to hear it. It was slight and from "feel" reminded me of a loose exhaust, and seemed to be centered more or less in front of me (driver) and possibly slightly offset to left.

Is that a common noise, and if so, what could it be? It was cold and rainy and dark when I went out there so I could not try to slide underneath and poke around. What I do next likely depends on what that noise could be.

Thanks!

Dave
'97 850
175+k daily driver

[Thames]

If you could take a picture of the noise you hear it'd be helpful...


(jokin')

[mapper]

Welcome.
As someone who shopped for an XC70 recently, I'd say that is a pretty good price IF you can figure out what is causing the noise. Hard to diagnose online but there should be no unusual noised. It could be something as simple as tires or a worn half shaft (although 60k seems a bit premature for that). Could be something in the brakes, also could be motor mounts. If course the thing to fear is an issue with the trans. I would want to be damn sure it wasn't coming from the transmission.

I'd look for a local Volvo specialist mechanic and have them take a look at the car. Take them for a drive and point out the noise to them. Have them look at the rest of the car too. Small price to pay for knowledge going in. Many mechanics will do it for free, I tried to pay mine and he wouldn't take the money. At any rate, if the car has a clean bill of health I'd get the price to where you're comfortable and join the team.

[DME]

Welcome.
As someone who shopped for an XC70 recently, I'd say that is a pretty good price IF you can figure out what is causing the noise. Hard to diagnose online but there should be no unusual noised. It could be something as simple as tires or a worn half shaft (although 60k seems a bit premature for that). Could be something in the brakes, also could be motor mounts. If course the thing to fear is an issue with the trans. I would want to be damn sure it wasn't coming from the transmission.

I'd look for a local Volvo specialist mechanic and have them take a look at the car. Take them for a drive and point out the noise to them. Have them look at the rest of the car too. Small price to pay for knowledge going in. Many mechanics will do it for free, I tried to pay mine and he wouldn't take the money. At any rate, if the car has a clean bill of health I'd get the price to where you're comfortable and join the team.

Thanks for the replies :)

I should have added a bit more detail - the thumping is sporadic, happens only when there is no load on the driveline: in low speed coasting down in D, stopped in D (like at a light), and in N while sitting still on level ground. I think the fact that it happens when it is not moving (or coasting in a straight line) also rules out anything suspension related, and maybe limits it to a motor mount and/or front exhaust hanger.

The local Volvo dealer is Don Beyer - I'm not sure I trust them to be objective. No other shops nearby. I am pretty comfortable doing most DIY stuff and the car otherwise performs fine.

[parsapolis]

Thanks for the replies :)

I should have added a bit more detail - the thumping is sporadic, happens only when there is no load on the driveline: in low speed coasting down in D, stopped in D (like at a light), and in N while sitting still on level ground. I think the fact that it happens when it is not moving (or coasting in a straight line) also rules out anything suspension related, and maybe limits it to a motor mount and/or front exhaust hanger.

The local Volvo dealer is Don Beyer - I'm not sure I trust them to be objective. No other shops nearby. I am pretty comfortable doing most DIY stuff and the car otherwise performs fine.

This wound't happen to be Don Beyer in Sterling, VA would it?

[n00bkiller944]

All Don Beyers blow in my experience. I have has so many issues with the falls church one... What chrysler dealer is the XC at?

[DME]

The car is in the DC burbs ;) Beyer Dulles would be closest. I don't think the dealer I'm working with has the slightest idea what to do with the car. I want to ask them to get it on a lift and check it out but I'd like to give them some direction since they are not a Volvo shop and don't work on "furrin" cars.

[parsapolis]

Yeah, don't even bother with Don Beyer Dulles/Sterling (same dealer). They lack any hint of customer service skills and are pretty rude. Took my car in for recall work (fuel pump) and it came back needing an alignment. They refused to explain what could have caused that and to even look at it. They didn't know anything about the volvo service for life program (free software upgrades and free one hour diagnostic to name a few). I had to direct them to the website to see what I was talking about. They also had no idea what I was talking about when I asked about setting my tranny on adaptation. Worst case senario, Rosenthal Volvo in Fairfax is a little better (if you really have to go to the dealer).

[perkinscl]

It could be the Traction Control, here's an excerpt from the manual (my 05 XC70):
"TC is most active at low speeds, and a pulsating sound will be audible when the system is regulating wheel spin. This is quite normal."

When I bought my XC, I had the same concerns after hearing this while moving slow and then I read the manual!

I'd still suggest getting and independent shop to look the whole car over though.

[mapper]

I find it hard to believe that the DC burbs don't have a good independent Volvo garage. Ask around

[DME]

Speaking of dealers, Volvo Annapolis has an XC70 I was prepared to look at. Two unanswered emails. I got a follow-up call from a barely literate woman asking what it would take to get me to consider the car. I told her the courtesy of a response would be nice as I was a serious buyer; then I asked her to hold a moment because a repairman was in my house speaking to me. She hung up.

I seriously don't understand the car business.

[parsapolis]

I've actually heard good things about AutoScandia in Herndon and they have always been helpful when I call. Their prices are decent. Not cheap since they are specialists but that is actually a good thing. Would make me wonder if they were too cheap.

They have great google reviews too. Look them up.

[JRL]

Could be as simple as flat spotted tires
Sounds like an Adventure Series and very loaded.

[DME]

Could be as simple as flat spotted tires
Sounds like an Adventure Series and very loaded.

Any way to tell if it is an Adventure Series?

Turns out it was a heat shield up front, they got it up on the lift and fixed it. I'm headed back there.

[DME]

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ewczeg.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/15i5jco.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2cz98jl.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/ms0i6v.jpg

000009 POWER SEATS,DRIVER/PASSEN
000011 HEATED FRONT SEATS
000065 Headlamp cleaners
000114 POWER CHILDLOCK REAR DOOR
000142 RTI
000166 FIRST-AID KIT
000168 AUTO DIM INNER REAR VIEW
000171 SPEEED SENSITIVE POWER ST
000179 TINTED REAR GLASSES
000289 SUN GLASS HOLDER
000316 Real Wood Inlays (Dark W
000322 CHILDSEAT OUTER
000346 LOAD HOLDER,TRUNK
000370 RAIN SENSOR
000372 Homelink
000422 CROSSBARS FOR XC-RAILS
000424 12 VOLT OUTLET IN LUGGAGE
000448 3 SPLITTED REAR SEAT 40/2
000454 COMPASS
000522 MAP FOR RTI
000529 Park Assist Rear
000605 ACTIVE BI-XENON LIGHTS
000747 "WATCH DIAL"
800029 WHEEL "OREANDER

23.8 MPG over 100 miles mixed driving in one day. I L O V E it.

It has an Ipod hookup in the console, which I hope means there is an aux jack hidden in there so I can install my XM.

[guyeye]

God! That is NICE!

[JRL]

A super loaded Adventure Series
Only the Adventure has the speed sensitive steering
It also has all options, NAV, xenons (which are not standard), you got a very good deal there.

I'm not sure if you can hook up an XM there, I suppose you can try
It's a small RCA jack, at best you would need a conversion cable

[DME]

Thanks! I guess the only big things I'm missing are 4C, which I understand is not worth having over the long run, and HU850.

I'd like to have a HU that is Bluetooth enabled, with aux/USB, but I hate the aesthetics of an aftermarket unit in a car like this. I have a Parrot Bluetooth device the PO installed in the little cubby next to the stereo. Seems to work OK, but it irritates me that I have to buy a separate unit to stream audio.

[perkinscl]

Very nice! Congrats!!

[Leto Atreides II]

Thanks! I guess the only big things I'm missing are 4C, which I understand is not worth having over the long run, and HU850.

I'd like to have a HU that is Bluetooth enabled, with aux/USB, but I hate the aesthetics of an aftermarket unit in a car like this. I have a Parrot Bluetooth device the PO installed in the little cubby next to the stereo. Seems to work OK, but it irritates me that I have to buy a separate unit to stream audio.

You can get a GROM device which has USB, bluetooth, and aux. I just use mine with USB connected to an android phone and it works great.

http://gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/volvo_01-06_usb_ipod_adapter_direct_digital_interface.html

Although, now that I look again I notice it lists compatibility only up to 2006... Not sure what changed in '07 that might make it not work? That might be a typo.

[JRL]

It will work

[mapper]

Congratulations! You got a great deal on that car!

[DME]

I like that Grom doodad. For now, since I have the Volvo ipod cable, I've purchased a female ipod to aux cable. The XM is sitting the console out of sight.