My C30 had its original timing belt (160K miles) when I bought it. I immediately changed it and the lower coolant lines because they were leaking. If you're going to buy a C30, my opinion is to get one without a sunroof, with a manual and cloth seats. The simpler, the better.

I was behind a straight-piped one of these, now I'm here.

My secretary has a 2011 C30 R-Design. 140,000 miles. Only problem so far is a cracked coolant tank. She hasn't even changed the timing belt as required by now. Car is solid even though it's not maintained well. Not as well built as a Volvo 87 240 or Volvo 96 850T5 but still very functional.

As a proud C30 owner let me add a bit to that list, engine wise: belts and the water pump is a must to check before purchasing, other times like wheel bearings especially in the front, and last but not least the windshield primer goes bad (I discovered it the hard way) it’s a know issue for Volvo’s in that era because the company used a environment friendly primer which isn’t that strong so you might see some leaking from the windshield and check the alternator/battery.

When my 07 C70 T5 oil filter housing broke down, there was no oil leak, but an air-sucking sound from the oil dip stick tube while the engine is running. When I pulled out the oil dip stick, the sound is gone, but obviously, the PCV was having issues. I replaced the housing by myself, took about 2.5 hours. Not a super easy job, but definitely doable.

1. They rule 2. Buy one 3. Send it 4.???? 5. Mods

2009 c30 owner... creepy how well he knows my exact car and repair history...

Great guide. Being as pretty much all C30s will encounter these issues at some point, don't pass on one if you see these problems but at least you'll know what's up. Hey, at least it won't scare you off because the next one you look at could have the issues too. On the plus side, some of these items are REALLY cheap and easy to address. :)

you look so nervous bro, relax! people already like you! chin up and smile!

I own a 2011 C30 R-Design and i simply love it !! It drives amazingly, and is very confortable. The only issue i see with it is the small entry to the trunk.. othewhise i find it a great car!

Thanks! Trying to make time to look at a '08 and a '11, soon. Fingers crossed; manuals are hard to find!

I have a V50 T5. I can attest that the coolant line does like to go. It went on me about a year ago and was a giant pain in the neck as I was pretty far from home. Just make sure you keep an eye on that temp gauge if that happens to you because even a slight change in temp with air pockets in the cooling system can crack the block (or so I'm told. Thankfully it didn't happen to me.). Also, the power seat wires on these cars can chafe over time and as a result, the seats stop working and it can trigger an airbag light. This happened to me, and was a massive nightmare to fix because both the front AND rear seats had to come out to replace these wires. Just a few extra heads up for you guys new to the world of the P1 cars.

just got a 2011 c30 t5 and love it. had a mini before this and considering how unreliable the mini was I love this car so much more hoping it lasts me 10 years with some love

Great video about the P1 and in this case the C30!

A good video helps me a lot. I would like to know if this model can totally disconnect the esp or stability control at 100% and be able to play with the car without the help ever intervening while the esp is off. Thank you

Windshield is often loose ! Airco condenser often breaks down due to gravel... rear window washer often breaks down his cars with quite a lot of problems and expensive problems

Something I have always wondered is whether or not these cars have cracking issues with the blocks. S60r owner here and it is a plague with them and they are similar sized engines, but don't know if there are any major design changes between the two.

A clogged PCV can dramatically change oil pressures. My friends went bad and it increased the pressure enough to blow out the rear main seal

The biggest problem on all Volvo's of this era - sunroof drain leaks. If you look at a car with a sunroof, open the sunroof and pour water into the front mechanism of the sunroof. In each corner, there is a small hole designed to let rain water pass through to under the car. If you pour water into the holes and it isn't dripping out the bottom of the car, the drains are either clogged or the tube shrank from the heat it can experience in the pillar, and the water will eventually find its way either onto your floor mat or under the floor itself, between the sound deadening and the floorpan. If this happens and enough water builds up over time, it can cause all sorts of damage. What will happen is it will short out the yaw sensor under the seat, and as a result your stability control system will cease to function, costing you lots of time, frustration, and money (This happened to a good friend of mine's XC90). Moral of the story - check the sunroof drains! Or just don't buy a car with a sunroof.

Hmm. Getting divorced, need a car for myself and the dog, as I only have motorcycles right now...saw an ad for a 2009 near me. Listening to this video it seems like I shouldnt buy it!

Also a common error on early C30s & other models as well. The electronic steering lock plays up "steering locked, please try again" message appears and you can't start the car. If this happens you cant drive the car and it will need it replacing/ re-programming....$$$$$$'s.

Good Day - I'm looking to purchase a C30T and appreciate this advice from you. If I go look at one, what tool(s) would I need to remove the engine cover? I would guess a Hex 12? As for rust, what areas rust first so that I can check there? Thanks in advance.

Looking at a 2008 T5 right now. Good intel. Thanks.

My 2009 C30 T5 R-Design had at time of purchase: 1) The finicky TCV problem 2) Vibrating axles 3) Bad A/C clutches 4) Cracked overflow reservoir 5) Broken upper motor mount 6) Clogged sunroof drain 7) Broken front spring 8) Bent factory rims w/ mismatched tires So, there's merit to what he says here.

I have also replaced the inner CV boot on the driver's side axle. The passenger side will fail soon as I see the same cracking pattern on it. I also replaced my expansion take before the lead got too bad. The seal along the roof line of the windshield had failed and caused a major interior leak. I sealed that with silicone and had to remove the seats to remove the carpet to the foam underneath could fully dry. And of course the drain tubes from the sun roof were shrunken and not connected. I replaced that with new vinyl tubing purchased from a big box store.

Glad you mentioned the axles! i had to replace one at 100k miles

Coolant o rings where the hoses enter the cabin too

My dad bought a 2013 automatic c30 and I fell in love with how it drove. So the next day I ended up finding mine for 3500 with a new clutch amongst other things. And it's a 6spd!

Awesome video. I would add motor mount passenger side . Mine started going bad 99k .

As we speak I am shipping in a C30 from Colorado to NY via Carmax. Found a 2013 with only 37k miles on it and automatic so had to do it. Have wanted one since 2008 and the quest to find a low mileage one was a pain in the ass but looks like I might be nearing the end soon. Can't wait to check it out when it comes.

Read through all the comments and no one mentioned Alternators.. I must be very unlucky or you guys are very lucky. Every Volvo i’ve owned had an alternator broke.. 2 S40s and my current S60 T6

Do you guys run a shop? I noticed in another Video you flashed the computer and gave it a tune. I was wondering how to get about that without paying 700 bucks for a one time flash. It's the exact same car you have an 08?

Timing belt, axles, sunroof drains, coolant hoses

What wheels are you running? Looking for replacements for my 07 t5 v50

Hi guys, perhaps silly question but I've picked up a 2010 Volvo C30 base T5 from a private seller and the seller told me something " plastic cosmetic" from the center lower bumper is missing. Can you tell me if the front lower air guide is visible from the front? I've ruled out no honeycomb lower grill insert on this yr/model, I understand that. So I've looked at stock photos front angle and compared to mine. There isn't any obvious difference. What I see is what looks like radiator & a/c compressor like horizontal metal lines on stock and my own currently. I'm thinking lower front air guide but it doesn't appear to guard or protect. What am I missing? Thanks!

whats the cost of getting a oil leak fixed on average on a 2011 c30 t5? and how difficult is it to swap out cv axles?

Fuel pressure sensor too. Part is like £80 directly from Volvo. Dont use low quality fuel. I run mine on 98 octane unleaded fuel.

Bought one a few months ago. Sadly I got the F 1.8 engine. Should have gone with some of the bigger alternatives.... But well, it's still a nice car :)

I’m getting an automatic off of my brother.. I already paid for it hopefully the automatics are somewhat reliable

That BUG had me yelling at the kids to TURN THE WATER OFF 🤣😅😁🤣😅🙄

A tip... PCV failures can cause oil leaks on most vehicles with PCV systems particularly euro cars. If you have a vehicle with PCV think about servicing the oil separator/PCV assembly (and replacing the PCV valve or diaphragm if it's cheap) every 40k to prevent blowing out oil seals/gaskets. I have personally fixed a few vehicles with oil leaks solved by simply replacing the PCV valve to vent properly for less than $20 from a local auto parts store. With regards to these cars the cheap aftermarket assembly has been a good solution vs the expensive OEM assembly. The only issue I've ever experienced with the aftermarket assemblies is that they may need threads tapped for the various brackets that are bolted to the assembly.

CHAD THE HEADLIGHT CAP CMON

This is convenient I was looking at buying a c30 recently

Major syptom of a clogged PCV system is a loud squealing noise coming from the PCV system itself. It can be confused as belt squeal as i checked that at first but it wasnt that.

My 07 s40 passenger side axle went out at 106xxx

upshot* (not upshock) Love the C30 and your work :)

I have a 2009 C30 with a chronic P0027 OBD code. I have had the exhaust solenoid replaced already with a genuine Volvo part and I have changed the timing belt using a cam lock tool on the upper part of the engine and I relied upon the timing marks to line up the crank shaft. I still have the P0027 code. I even swapped the intake and exhaust cam sensors and the same code returned. Who has some ideas on what's wrong? I did not feel any free play in the cam gears when the timing belt was off. thanks

Love my c30 t5 r-design. Just hit 100k miles. Never had issues.

Hi my name is Elizabeth I just bought one from C 33 five is in great condition of the wiper on the back is not working I don’t know it is that the little motor oil is a fool can you help me out with that how should I try it to see if it’s not that little motor

Love e channel but in my humble opinion you guys need to work more on the cars there's always first time for everything struggling wen working on cars it's good content help others takle the jobs

Looking to upgrade the stereo seeking advice would love a double din any advice please

yup and leaky windshield also

Have you ever heard of someone towing with their c30? I have an 800lbs camper and wasn't sure if it was up to the job

looking for a somewhat unreliable hatchback thats still more reliable and fun to drive than a mini cooper? Well, here you go! Presenting my first car that was one of the worst and best financial decisions ever made!

I need those wheels on my xc70

just about to buy one of these ,,, is there a fix for the really light steering , after my a3 3.2 quattro i thought the steering was in city park mode , or hair dressers mode ,it was so light. many thanks

c30 has 273,000 miles. still going.

The feeling you get when watching this video when you just bought “something” that you can’t buy in America.

Should probably also mention that the camseals you were talking about almost never leaks on the T5s. Its usually the VVT units that leaks, which is expensive to fix.

I was interested in a 2011 C30 with low miles. After watching this video? No way.

A/C fix is the zip tie or bread clip fix. All of 15-20 minutes to remove the splash guard or wheel well and wrap tires through the holes of the a/c clutch. Not THE fix, but cheap af and relatively permanent.

I have c30 2008 , 1.8 Flex ... bought because, car doesn't have timing belt, no turbo , and sexy line !! Car is little bit high on the ⛽️ , but on the snow is like m*** f*** ! Bought from old lady , she was first owner, she has car from 2008 till 2019 , and made 50 000 km , when I bought car first month everything broke down, from buble lights , so many problems,but everything I fixed, and start to drive car every day , so from 2019 till now 160 000 km with any problems, just filters and oil !! Car is for me NO1 , but I learned one lesson car need to be driven , car doesn't like sitt on the parking and be driven 2/4 km per day !

Water leaking inside of car if you have a sunroof !

Good car

As a women this is fantastic thank you, I really love Volvo's and I'm getting one soon but I have limited mechanical knowledge and it's great for me to have some extra bits to look for so I don't get conned by fat old men.

5:32 I used three zip ties and it fixed the ac

Nooo...I was really looking forward to seeing the new #'s the car is putting down.

How is the reliability of a high mileage C30 that would be DD?

Is a 2008 c30 with 250000k with buying for $2500 Canadian?

whats Dyno mean?

I am selling my 2009 C-30 It needs to be towed but it is in great condition, very clean approx. 160,000 miles. I am located in NY on Long Island. Come get it for almost free.

Too later. I have one with only 16000km and 2.4i engine.

Each time he says "obviously," drink!

Boooooo wheres the s60's

Dam you talk to much and say nothing after all that sound

As a master Volvo technician. The first thing you need to know about buying a C30 is, dont.