Hey Gang...
Well, it’s been a while since I had a humorous post to share with the group, but this one is a classic.

Several months back, I posted a note about an oil leak. I still have the leak, its about the same, and I am taking off next week for vacation and will make the repair. I had a friend of mine look at it (Volvo guy), and we both agree that it would appear to be major blowback from PVC...easy to fix.

Just for the fun of it, I asked my dealer...that's my FORMER dealer, to look at the car and give me an estimate for the repairs...OK...everyone, sit down now...

I was told in writing, that I had multiple oil leaks....
My rear main seal, my turbo return tube (top and bottom!), all the cam seals, oil was leaking onto my timing belt...(good one), and the back head seals......to a nice sweet tune of $2100 to repair....

So I strongly recommend that you do not use CLEAR LAKE VOLVO for ANYTHING outside of warranty repair....but we all knew this anyway....right?

the humorous part is when I picked up the car, and told me that I shouldn't drive it far, because it might "blow" anytime.....ok...well....I found it hilarious.....

I hope you enjoy....
Alan.

Shoot the bastards ....

Clear Lake Vovlo Huh, I will steer clear of them. Have you tried getting an estimate anywhere else around town?


some good independant shops around houston:
Texas Automotive Performance off I-10 near beltway
Volvo's only near bellaire.

I used Volvo of Houston (nils sefledt) untill my warrenty expired now i go elsewhere.

Dan

Is this the Dan that was setting up the local Volvo group???

Yes, Still working on getting 12 people so we can start the chapter still need about 2-3 more.

If you know anyone interested they can email me.

Dan

Well if your "PCV" (ie crankcase breather hose/Y/ect - no flame trap) are clogged, then this could cause the leaks at the seals. The turbo return line is a common leak.......so while you don't see an increased drippage these places mentioned could be leaking.

Routine maintenance of the crankcase breathing system is normal Volvo stuff, so for you to have "major blowback".....makes me not want to laugh at the dealer even if the leaks stop after finding the restriction (which hopefully they should).
--
http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

Pablos- I think the point of his msg. was that even if he had a few leaks, it was not as catastrophic as the dealer made it seem, and probably didn't need all those repairs. Let me share my exp. A friend of mine has a 99 corolla; took to dealer(in North NJ) to do rear(drum) brakes: cost about $250; Time:3-5 hrs. He went to an indie(after he bought parts from the parts guy). Cost: about $70 and done in 1hr.
We all know why the big difference in costs: OVERHEAD AND INSURANCE, ETC. My thing is, I don't see the dealer unless it's a MAJOR repair(tranny or engine) and to reset my service light. If i'm going to be "screwed", it should be for something serious/major and not no minor bullshit. Most dealers could not stay in business just selling cars; the majority of their profits(about 70%) come from parts and service and optional items.

I understood his point. But my counterpoint was basically don't laugh too hard, because it sounded like he didn't keep his basic maintenance up.....
--
http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

"All the cam seals, oil was leaking onto my timing belt" ... would sure scare the willies out of me.

I'd make sure that everything was tight and the timing belt was intact before breaking out the champagne.

-Punxsutawney Phil

"major blowback from PVC"

What exactly do you mean by that?


Before laughing too hard, see if you actually can fix the leak(s) as easily as you think as those seals listed can and do leak and their replacement is not a simple as you apparently must now think.

The point is that there is no oil on any of the places that they claimed were leaking!!!

later..

but you still havent answered my question.

What exactly do you mean by "major blowback from the PCV" ? Do you mean that you have a clogged flame trap and/or ruptured PCV hoses?

If oil wasn't leaking from any of those listed sources, why was that dealer checking the car for oil leaks in the first place? What IS leaking oil then?
If the flame trap was clogged enough to cause oil leaks (caused by MANY miles of poor maintenance and neglect but checked at 30K mile services if done properly), although replacing that in itself might slow the leakage down you will still have leaks if any seals were previously leaking.
I'd be sure that you've actually fixed the problem(s) before coming here to try trashing the reputation of any business.

You should write to Volvo about this (if you havn't already) It is a real insult to good dealers out there. Just the other day I had Lovering Volvo diagnos a problem with my AC. Time: 1 hour. Cost $0. They have really been good and honest to me.

John.

John,
Did you have only positive experience with Lovering Volvo?
Last time replacing the brake fluid they could not bleed the front brakes
on my 850, did not expect it to be difficult.
-Victor

Hi Victor,

Yes, is the answer. I have a 1995 850 Wagon with about 116,000 (5 Speed) and a 99 S70 80,000 miles (5 Speed). Lovering is about an hour drive for me either concord or Nashua and they have really really been great. I am very mechanically inclined and if I had the time I could do everything on my car but I don't.

Anything Volvo Specific I always go to them and like I said they have done alot of little work for free or little money. The rest of my work I have done at Exeter Motor Works in Exeter. REal fanatics there but I still trust lovering more with Volvo electronics etc. (Although I have had 0 trouble here)

Hope this helps.

Regards,

John.

John,
Sounds like you have a real winner there. Do they do free work on your 95 too? I had experienced plenty of "free" work from my local dealer while the vehicle was under warranty, but once the warranty period passed, the big bills came rolling in. I also enjoy working on my own car. Not much time for that here either, but sometimes the estimate is just too much. I guess it gives me an excuse to get my hands dirty. It's regrettable that more dealers aren't like yours.
-Mike