1998 Volvo S70: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 17, 2007 · Engine · 88,000 miles · IN

I have a 1998 volvo s70 with about 88k miles on it. I had a lot of work done on it dec 20, 2006 including replacing the timing belt. On 2/15, we were driving and the engine suddenly stopped - we lost power steering and braking, etc. We managed to slow the car and get into a parking lot and had the car towed to the dealer, jordan volvo in mishawaka, in. We found that the tensioner had failed causing the timing belt to slip off and cause what appears to be very material (retail around $4k) worth of damage to the engine. Volvo recommends replacing the tensioner at 105k miles I believe, but I have found numerous cases on message boards of people having their timing belt but not tensioner replaced and then having catastrophic engine damage. We are fortunate that we were not on a highway when this happened, or along side the road (it was probably 5 degrees out). The dealership has offered to repair the car at 1/2 price, but maintain that they followed volvo's procedures. I called my old mechanic in chicago and he said that 90% of the time he replaces the tensioner to avoid just what happened to me. We were not even warned of the possibility of this happening nor given the option to decline the service.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 117,000 miles · NC

Dt: the vehicle was losing power, it shuts down. Usually it will start back. Can cut across traffic, and it will just stall. Took it to the dealer many times, and they could not duplicate the problem. They put different parts on it to narrow down the problem. There is no power steering after it stalls. Back in january the turbo went it out and they replaced it. The vehicle was still skipping. This started happening around january 15, 2005. *nm the ABS control module was replaced.

Filed Sep 15, 2005 · Engine · 93,955 miles · WA

1998 volvo s70 lost power then stalled multiple times (9) while driving approximately july 27, 2005 . I am concerned about danger of stalling in traffic and getting rear ended or if stalls in intersection. Or being stranded. Was able to get it to the dealer. They found "failing mass air flow sensor". They replaced it and it runs fine now. Old part is not available. But service and repair cost $369.20. I noticed that there are other s70 owners with this problem on mycarstats.com and an article in caranddriver.com.

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Electrical · 96,300 miles · SC

98 volvo s70; experiencing a loss of power and stalling; I've had two mechanics look at my vehicle and no one can pin point the problem. I went to my local dealership, dick dyer volvo on august 2nd and they can not look at my car until august 19th. As a mother of a young child, it is frightening to pull out into heavy traffic. I emailed corporate volvo on 8/3/05 and haven't received a response. This had been a recurring problem since feb 05; about every 1-2 weeks my car will stall when I begin to slow down at a light.

Filed Aug 8, 2005 · Acceleration · 175,000 miles · NJ

Dt: vehicle stalled/died, and lost power due to throttle body failure.

Filed Mar 9, 2005 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

Failure of cam belt adjuster, at speed with no warning and total loss of engine power and ancillary equipment.