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940 oil leak & mechanic verasity 900 1993

I have an oil leak that I brought in to have my mechanic fix. He replaced the front end seals, timing belt, air conditioning belt, power steering belt, and water pump. When I got the car home, I noticed that the leak was at least as bad as before I had the work done. I thought I smelled a rat, so I went back through the maintenance history to see what other kind of work had been done. Here is what I found:
02/04 (130K): Replaced front struts.
07/05 (141K): Recommend timing belt be replaced at 200K or year 2010.
07/06 (151K): Replaced front end seals, timing belt, a/c belt, recommend new front struts.
12/09 (173K): Replaced front end seals, timing belt, a/c belt, power steering belt, water pump.
Is it possible that all this was done in good faith, or is it time I looked for another mechanic?








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    940 oil leak & mechanic verasity 900 1993

    See the 700/900 FAQ on the topic of flame trap and engine vent issues. There is a lengthy discussion of crankcase pressure causing oil leaks. I am fairly certain this is your problem.
    --
    See the 700/900 FAQ at the drop-down menu above right.








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    940 oil leak & mechanic verasity 900 1993

    I see this a lot; let's not fool ourselves--mechanics are there to make money and unfortunately a lot of them are less than scrupolous when it comes to performing unnecessary work. I'd look for someone who's better at diagnostics, and less eager to change everything in sight "just in case"--this in my book is incompetence or thievery, either way you want to stay away from them.








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    940 oil leak & mechanic verasity 900 1993

    Replacing the timing belt is trivial once you have things apart to replace front seals, so you can't fault him for that, but those seals should only need to be replaced every 150,000 miles or so. You may have a clogged flame trap and or oil separator that is causing crankcase presure and pushing oil out of the seals. Is your mechanic familiar with Volvos? As to the struts - 2 years and 20,000 miles is not very much for good quality struts unless you live on a dirt road with lots of potholes.

    Ron

    93 245
    93 944








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      940 oil leak & mechanic verasity 900 1993

      I think we have to be pro active when making the correct maintenance decisions. Did you look to see where the leak came from? Does your mechanic have the maintenance records for your car in shop? Does he talk to you or just write things on the invoice when the car is leaving the shop. He has no way of knowing if a timing belt is due or a seal is bad till he takes things apart and even then you cannot look at a belt and know how many miles are on it. He needs your input. Before dropping in the car, signing an open work order and walking off have a discussion with him about possible causes and solutions to a specific problem as well as what preventive maintenace may be needed, together come up with plan, discuss costs. If you cannot work with him in that manner find a new mechanic. When you pick up the car ask questions and discuss what was done.

      If you cannot talk directly with the mechanic or a lead hand or have to communicate through a "maintenance writer" I would go somewhere else. Ask around, especially to other Volvo owners and find a shop that knows and respects our Volvos and his customers. To do less than that invites incompetance and a dishonest mechanic to dip into your pockets. You should certainly return in this instance and discuss how the leak was diagnosed and why it still leaks. Do not go there with your guns blazing, just politely ask the questions and listen carefully. An honest shop will want to make it right.
      --
      David Hunter







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