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This message is specifically intended to express just why I think Volvos Only is a crappy shop, and why anyone in Portland, Oregon or thereabouts should never consider using them for service.
Before my rant, I would like to say I've had good experiences at these two shops:
Alamo Automotive - Slow work, but they are able to fix anything and charge good prices
The Volvo Garage - fast fast FAST. Professional, no B.S. More expensive than Alamo. Owner is kinda a jerk, but no complaints about the service.
Ah, now onto Volvos only.
I brought my Volvo 245 into VO for service for 3 conditions: 1) "hot" reading on the temp gauge 2) wiring problem on rear tailight (melts fuses, does not illuminate) and 3) fuel pump whine at all speeds. I let them know that the fuel pump and in-tank pump were relatively new. Also note I never said my Volvo was overheating (because of my experience in warranty claims with GM (sucky)). Just that the gauge read hot and I didn't know why. After 3 days longer than initially promised, Jim called me to let me know that 1) Fuel pressure test came out okay but no word on the cause of the whine 2) brake light works, no repair (I made the mistake of saying "brake light" instead of "tail light") and my temp concern could be traced to a worn water pump. I okayed the water pump replacement and mentioned that my thermostat was new (I had replaced it myself). I got a new thermostat anyway. I remeber reading on the the brickboard that fram fuel filters clog easily, so I requested that the be changed while he was there. At least that problem was solved by reading the brickboard! After picking up my car, I noticed that the tail light still did not work (duh, no repair)...Jim arranged to have my car back in. After driving for 2 minutes my gauge read hotter than before. I called him when I got home and let him know that "the replacement on the water pump did not fix my 'hot reading' concern (warrantyese)." He said he would look at it when I brought it back...which, against my better judgement, I did. (sidenote, after the pump replacement, the car leaked coolant at exactly the same rate as before their "repair," cause...leaky old hose that I replaced). The second trip did fix a wiring problem that caused my tailight to not work and also yielded a new wrong diagnosis for my hot gauge reading...failed temp sensor. After picking up the car and driving for 2 minutes the gauge read again ...uber hot. Now, I'm pretty POed. I called him immediatley and advised that "the replacement of the temp sensor did not fix the 'hot reading' condition." Since I know my radiator is good, and I have a new pump, thermostat, sensor, and hoses (fan clutch seized, so I've got plenty of airflow), I conclude that this must be either the 1)gauge or 2) wiring to the gauge. A 2-minute inspection reveals a partially broken wire. Viola! Problem solved. Jim was kind enough to provide a 3 cent splice for my trouble though and even offered a "good deal" on a new fan clutch...No thanks!!!
My complaints
1) I paid for a fuel system diagnosis that did not tell me why my pump whined. I had to guess myself (correctly, thank god)
2) I paid for thermostat I definitely did not need
3) I paid for a water pump I didn't need and probably was working fine, as the "leak" I was probably the same leak that remained after replacement...the hose connection
4) The rest of my rear-facing lights were not checked after the brake lights proved functional
5) I paid for a temp sensor I did not need
6) I TOLD a mechanic (who only works on Volvos, of which the 200s are the most common, after paying him for a diagnosis and giving him multiple opportunities) what was wrong with my car, and guess what? IT WAS OBVIOUS!!!!
7) After clearly expressing that I was dissatisfied and why, I was offered a 3 cent splice and a "good deal" on a part (I've never paid less than double the internet rate on parts from them).
I hope that lots of potential customers read this. Also note, every time I've been into VO, they have recommended a master brake cylinder replacement to someone....be very wary!!!!
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this isn't really related the topic, but i wanted to get some info from you portlanders. i visited this past summer and portland and the area is my favorite place i've ever been. i want to move there, and with college graduation nearing, i am in a position to chose pretty much wherever i want to live. i get mixed signals about the area from different sources. most say that portland is great, but that the winter weather is miserable. compared to what? i live in utah and the temp is usually super cold in the winter, with lots of feet of snow a year. we are pretty used to bad winter weather. is portland unusually bad? what are the pros and cons of the area. email me any comments on why or why not to relocate to oregon, specifically portland!
thanks,
shawnhwarner@yahoo.com
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I grew up in the Vancouver\Portland area and moved up here to Bellingham, WA about 3 years ago for school. I would say Portland is a good city to live in, its about the same size as Denver, and there is a lot to do. The winter weather is about the same as the rest of western Oregon and Washington, minimal snow, rain most of the winter and fairly mild. It almost never gets below 25F.
As long as you can handle some wet weather you'll enjoy it. It isn't as bad as people say weatherwise, and to top it off there are tons of Volvos in town, and you can drive to IPD for parts when necessary.
--
Zack Silver 83' 242Ti (221k)
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I'll second that, and add a few things:
If you have paved parking and path to your front door, it's no problem whatsoever. Rain isn't too common, mostly it's just a little drizzle. You won't get soaked between the car and the indoors very often, I don't even carry an umbrella anywhere. OTOH, if you have a gravel (God forbid it's dirt!) driveway or walkway to traverse, it's going to get miserable quick. Everything gets muddy and filthy, your car, your house, it gets into everything.
Pine trees are everywhere. Don't park undeneath one every day, the needles don't come out of the carpet, they fill your vent inlets, drip rails, etc.
It's also a great place to ride a bicycle. A lot of Portlanders bicycle commute year around.
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And, around this time of year, the pine trees are pollinating. I moved my 245Ti outside, and within 5 minutes of it going outside, it was turning yellow. My black 242Ti is mostly yellow, with some mud spattered on the sides from our gravel road which has a pretty large pond near the main road. Can't avoid going through it. Will be waiting until another dry spell comes through before it gets washed.
-J
--
'82 242Ti - 469K km, '83 245Ti - 459K km, '87 744Ti - 322K km
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posted by
someone claiming to be frankford
on
Fri Apr 15 01:56 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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I called over there yesterday morning to get a ball park idea about what it would cost to have a valve job done. Five minutes later I could tell he was full of it and just wanted to take me for a ride.
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been through something similar there, but not as painful.
seems like a nice guy, but completely unorganized.
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I can only comment on the thermostat replacement. Since it is a temperature-actived valve, it will always blow the core and stay wide open if overheated.
Understanding that, I can see why a shop would automatically replace one when a car is brought in for any type of overheating complaint.
The PROPER procedure would be to remove the thermostat and test it for proper operation with hot water and a thermometer. Of course, that's what you and I would do, but we're not out there digging for gold in our customers' pockets, are we?
Over all, I heartily agree with your assessment of the services (not) rendered by the shop. I, after spending a lifetime in the military, tend to raise hell when someone tries to pull this act on me.
The worst problems I ever had was with a shop in Omaha, Nebraska that I had used for years and was very happy with. Unfortunately, I had to take my Lincoln Town Car in on a day when the regular manager was on vacation. The work and treament I received was abysmal, and I called the owner of the chain to let him know how I felt. The 'temporary' manager - who I discovered was actually the district manager! - got to finish out the week. Then they terminated his employment. Originally I typed 'terminated him' but that was only wishful thinking!
The only way to correct problems like you had is to vote with your feet and spread the word. Of course, a letter to the BBB never hurt, either!
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Shoot, the 940 SE we just picked up for my wife came with a stack of receipts:
TGV replaced the nivomats last year. (not!)
They also adjusted the previous owner's valves 5 or 6 times in as many years.
Water pump, too. Turns out the original was still there and still needing replacement when we did the timing belt.
Maybe it was just the previous owner: the tire shop threw away his Volvo lugnuts and charged him for new crap chrome jobbies, (damn near lost several studs to those things) the stereo shop dumped a returned head unit (installed with duct tape) and Radio Shack (seriously!) speakers on the poor guy, not to mention the Polk Audio crossovers that lead nowhere, the alignment shop replaced bushings at every visit, (nope!) the list goes on.....
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