Hello All,

I have a 1999 V70 AWD XC with just over 160,000 miles on it. I purchased this car used in 1999 with just under 12,000 miles on it. Since that time, I have used nothing but synthetic oil and have changed the oil every 5,000 miles.

Yesterday when my wife went to drive the car on the highway, as soon as she got on, the engine began to run rough and the check engine light came on. She was afraid the engine would stall, so she drove home immediately. The engine seemed to be running on 4 versus 5 cylinders. I assumed an ignition coil had gone bad. I dropped the car off at my private mechanic. He cal me today and said there was no compression in cylinder #3. He suspects one of not both of the exhaust valves in that cylinder are bad. He won’t know for sure until he takes it apart. He told me that he has seen a couple of XC’s of my cars vintage suffer from failed exhaust valves. He believes the metal that Volvo used in making these exhaust valves was defective or not manufactured properly.

Has any one else personally or in the alternative knows of anyone who has experienced failed exhaust valves on ’99 XC with approximately 160,000. I’m shocked and disappointed. I take really good care of this car, and expected that with the maintenance I provided, I would never experience an failed valve. Thank you in advance to all who respond.

Hugh