I recently took my car in for the 50,000 mile service, a check engine light, and a ticking noise from the engine compartment. They told me that the ticking noise is, and i quote "the result of a new air pump". I asked how it could be new, I never had one replaced, he told me that it's not new, it's a new style... so I asked, if its been there the whole time, how come I never heard the noise (it's quite obnoxious and loud) before? No reply.....

Ok...

Another issue I had was my reverse lights. When put in reverse, the lights do not illuminate unless the stick is moved around in gear. This is the third time my car has gone in to the dealer and the third time the problem has been unduplicatable. How come everytime I leave work I see the rear of my car in the window behind me and the reverse lights DO NOT illuminate? GRRRRR (yes, I realize this isn't so much Volvo's problem as a generic "law" that stuff doesn't happen when you're at the dealer.

This same dealer was unable to diagnose my bad throwout bearing, where another dealer in the area (bad for their own reasons) finally did (after I took a tech for a ride), and then replaced it happily.

I'm almost (500 miles) out of warranty and don't want to end up forking over cash for this "air pump" or for the electricals involved for these reverse lights.

Oh well, any suggestions anyone?

Scott

P.S. - I was also told that my two right wheels were slightly bent. Does anyone know whether there is a solution to this other than buying new ones? How bad is it to just drive with the bent wheels....