1999 Volvo S80 My 1999 S-80 Volvo is surging (idles-is not

SUSAN DUNNE'

MEMBER
1999 VOLVO S80
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Just purchased with cash with help because I needed a car, and purchased a 1999 S-80 Volvo T-6 six days ago. As soon as I drove off the lot to home, I turned it off, went in my house to get things to wash and clean the car--it is a pretty well kept volvo-looks brand new with new tires with the original volvo logo on wheel. When I returned back in five minutes, car was dead. Would not start. After 3 different mechanics checked with their meters or computers, they all said it was a bad battery along with a bad alternator. My husband paid $300.00 for that. That was the same day I drove it home. Next our friend mechanic said that it needed more work, i.E. Timing belt and cam shafts or I am going to be in trouble. The private party I bought it from has 10 foreign nice used cars and seem very honest and trustworthy. He did come over the day I bought the car and drove to my house and said the clause"purchase as is" is what you get (which I signed). He did fix the oil leak behind the passenger side dripping behind front wheel and said his mechanic said it was a simple seal to buy. His mechanic fixed that oil leak (my car was gone 3 days) and I asked him if he put a new battery in and he said it didn't need one. Bah on him - there is still a oil leak coming from the middle of underneath the car my mechanic said. Now I am going to take it tomorrow to a reputable ex-volvo dealer mechanic with his own shop with excellent references.
Do you think this used car gentleman? Should help me at least half of expenses? (Lemon LAW IN NC?)We called him and he said he drove my volvo and the battery did not need replacing that we were ripped off. The battery in the trunk had corrosion (green and rust color stuff) all over the battery. He won't return my phone calls now. Says he use to be a missionary in Brazil and his parents also. I am very distraught and feel bad about this. Do these models present a lot of problems.
Please help and I am sorry for such a long message but I feel you need to know that the car drives great and smooth and I have had volvos in the past with my children, but now I don't trust this individual.
Thank you for your patience and endurance,
Winston-Salem, NC

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi Susan,

You bought it "as is where is" therefore the salesperson was not obliged to contribute anything unless those were agreed by him beforehand.

If a vehicle had been parked for a while, the battery might go bad due to under use and charging. If the battery terminals had been contaminated, it would also cause the problem

No cars are built with a lot of problems and still being sold. No need to worry unnecessarily, try to enjoy what you have paid for instead and moments in life will be much brighter.