- I just bought a used '15 Volvo s60 T5 Premier AWD on Friday the 13th! (bad move) It only has about 106,400 miles on it. It's got the 2.5L 5cyl engine.
- According to Auto Zone's ODB scan code (P0011) and a trip to the local Monro auto services, I need my 2 camshaft sensors replaced already. I saw that's an easy DIY fix but I can't find where under the hood these are even located? Can you please help me figure out where those are? I've tried so many searches including through the owners manual and I can't find any visual example anywhere.
- My brakes are also destroyed. Only 10 days after buying the car, they stopped working as well. Now I need to press the pedal all the way down to get the car to barely come to a hault.
- I find out I need a new master cylinder and a brake booster.
- I just paid like $8000 for this car with tax and tags and now I'm being quoted another $3000 for repairs! If I can do my own camshaft sensors that at least knocks off about $400-600 from the price which obviously helps make it more manageable but I can't locate them.
- Also any other info about the rest would be great. I'm panicking. Please help.
Didn't any of these problem show up during the pre-purchase inspection? Also note that chain shops like Monro are among the worst places to bring your car for service. It would be best to find a good independent shop in your area.
As far as the cam position sensors they would obviously be adjacent to the camshafts - you might check Volvo's online parts site, they should have exploded diagrams showing parts locations. Also, although our usual online repair manual source (charm.li) does not cover 2015 Volvo, they do have location diagrams for 2012 5-cylinder engine which should be the same.
Be sure to use OEM sensors, aftermarket knockoffs frequently do not work properly. Note though that there are causes other than the sensors themselves for P0011 and those should be explored before replacement:
https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0011-code-a-camshaft-timing-over-advanced-bank-1/
If the timing belt on that car is original you should add its replacement to your list of required services along with the water pump, tensioner, and pulleys. (That's an interference engine - if the belt snaps the engine will be destroyed.)
@chucktobias My apologies, I forgot to mention I'm not very car savvy so none of this was very obvious to me at all. I appreciate the diagrams I will try to see if they help.
Anyway, the test drive was short and being a lone layman I saw no leaks, no paint lines, no warning lights, all functions felt good, etc. so I guess you can say I jumped the gun on this purchase.
I don't really know anyone who could've came with me to help so I try to watch these videos and learn but it takes some time. I also mentioned that after 100,000 miles I will need the timing belt replaced (which I learned from Scotty) so the seller (used car dealer) did knock off $1000 so I was hoping to have that serviced anyway.
The only other trouble is that I'm very worried conditions will get worse as a lot of my local mechanics are usually booked for up to 1-2 weeks away. Do you think it will be safe to wait that long for a second opinion while continuing to drive it for my daily work commute and errands? I really appreciate your response. My apologies again for my lack of experience in this field.
Anyway, the test drive was short and being a lone layman I saw no leaks, no paint lines, no warning lights, all functions felt good, etc. so I guess you can say I jumped the gun on this purchase.
Use this as a learning experience. ALWAYS get a good mechanic to inspect any used vehicle BEFORE purchase. A test drive is not sufficient as you unfortunately found out the hard way. Nothing you can do about it now but remember it for your next purchase.
The only other trouble is that I'm very worried conditions will get worse as a lot of my local mechanics are usually booked for up to 1-2 weeks away. Do you think it will be safe to wait that long for a second opinion while continuing to drive it for my daily work commute and errands?
Usually the best mechanics do have a lot of business and long wait times. It is definitely not safe to drive the car with the brakes in the condition that you describe. That should be your #1 priority.
Hopefully it just the master cylinder and brake booster and not something deeper like the ABS module causing the problem. However it is common when a master cylinder leaks out of its rear seal that the booster is damaged over time, so that does sound like a reasonable diagnosis. (Frequently in that situation there will be a tell-tale stain showing what's going on, or at least low brake fluid in the reservoir, which a mechanic may have been able to spot before you bought the car.)
My apologies again for my lack of experience in this field.
No problem, none of us are born knowing how to evaluate or work on cars. It's a learning process - I've been doing it for decades as an amateur working on my own vehicles and still learn something new about it practically every day.
@chucktobias alright so just to get things straight the main takeaway is to
1) Never buy used without a trained eye
2) Don't panic, things should be fine if I get these things taken care of as soon as I can.
3) Get second/third opinions.
3) Fix brakes first, 1st priority.
4) Worry about camshaft sensors later but get them done ASAP, secondary priority.
5) Get Timing Belt, water pump, tensioner and pulleys serviced as 3rd priority but also ASAP!
Any other notes or edits in my understanding?
I just want to be sure I'm 100% clear on what steps I should take next because I don't want to end up bleeding money or overall destroying the car.
That's pretty much the case. In your situation now the priority is brakes first, timing belt etc. next. If there are no bad symptoms the cam sensors are secondary. I'd clear the P0011 and scan again after the timing belt is replaced and an oil change is done.
You also might want to pick up an inexpensive scan tool, there are some for under $100, even $50 and under, that can do a surprising amount. See the site FAQ and this Project Farm video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR9RLgfV-qM