Virginia Volvo girl - Catalytic chaos

LynnV70 · Post by **LynnV70** » 29 Apr 2013, 16:41

Hi everyone:

I just found this forum. I bought a 2001 V70 2.4T less than 6 months ago from a used car dealer. I was interested in the Volvo because it was in very good shape and seemed very clean. The dealer sent me to a shop to get an inspection sticker and they charged up my a/c. I thought that things would be fine from there. I started bringing the car into a shop down the street that seemed very helpful, but I have suspicions. I bought some parts at Autozone for a complete tune up and brought it into the shop to do the tune up. I got a call from them that they needed to put in all new coils as well. I had bought everything else and Autozone never mentioned coils. I go into the shop to pick up the car and the car was in the lot ready for pickup. I noticed they hadn't put in the new air filter I bought and the girl at the counter sent out a tech to put in the new air filter. When he opened it up and pulled out the old filter there was a round mesh of leaves and fine copper looking hair like wire underneath the old filter. I took it out and tried to clean out any of the small debri and he placed the new filter in. Then he told me that the girl at the counter (owner's wife) was going to tell me I need a new catalytic converter and not to mention that he told me that to her. I had no idea how expensive that was going to become.
I am wondering if they may have botched the tune up and caused a misfire and this is why there was strange stuff in the air filter chamber, which also could have caused some problems with the converter. The converter went out a few days later and I could drive the car to the shop but very carefully. It had the rotten egg smell and all the works. I was concerned about them putting a suitable converter in that would be a volvo part, but she told me she would take care of it and they changed the converter with an aftermarket part and put in two new 02 sensors also to the tune of close to 1900 dollars. I am shocked.

Now they told me I needed new engine mounts ..all of them.

I took the car to a Volvo dealer (out of town) and they did a 27 point inspection and said that they found "It appears that the turbo flange doesn't appear to be flush after cat install." The Volvo service person said he did not see that there was an urgent need to change the engine mounts as they had a little play but not much. He shrugged his shoulders and said I seem to be their cash cow. He was professional and careful in how he said things. He told me in order to get rid of the rough idle/sound I'd have to have to replace the new cat and have it properly installed where it was flush.

The car used to purr like a kitten before the cat install. One would think with a tune up and a new cat and sensors it wouldn't be sounding like a rough idle and the smooth ride I had before is no more. It runs rather rough and loud now. It sounds as if a muffled sound underneath. Although the cat install is acceptable it wasn't obviously installed very well. For what I paid I should have had the volvo shop put it in, but I wouldn't have been able to drive 40 minutes with the way the car was acting after the people did that tune up and the cat went out a few days later.

I keep asking some other shops about it, but can't afford to get a thorough check up now, while I am paying this large bill in increments for the next three months.

One shop was at least honest with me (which I appreciate) and told me that he is not familiar with volvos and encouraged me to find someone else to check it out.

I want to finish paying this bill and then get some help with the car. It drives OK but since they worked on it and replaced the catalytic converter the "MPG instantaneous" reading went up to 99 mpg while on the highway. This never happened before taking it that shop.

I love the Volvo but it runs like an old car now and I am very disappointed because I can't get a straight answer from the shop that put it in. They just keep pinging on getting me to change my engine mounts for more money. I won't give them any more and wish to find another shop to go to.

I was reading there are two things that can make a catalytic converter go bad..a misfire and clogged filter. This could have happened while in the shop for all I know, but I hope not. I will never know. It was strange that they called and asked if they could put all new coils in during the process of the tune up.

Anyhow..sorry this is so long.

I am near Richmond and wondered if anyone can refer a good mechanic or may have some advice to getting it to run smoother again. From what I'm told this will never happen. What a shame.

LynnV70

Post by **JRL** » 29 Apr 2013, 17:15

Sorry you've been having the usual poor Volvo service
If you were closer we could have helped you but you're 5 hours away.
You have 2 strikes going against you by having an 01. These are not very good cars, (1st model year with a ton of issues).
Anyhow, you did not mention your mileage which you should always do when asking for help.
Mileage will go to 99 if you're off the gas for several seconds
I'm sure someone will chime in about a GOOD shop in the Richmond area

MattHenning · Post by **MattHenning** » 30 Apr 2013, 17:03

Seems to me that the shop that incorrectly installed the converter should make it right, either by fixing it themselves, or paying to have someone who knows what they're doing fix it. You payed them a lot of money and they didn't do it right. That's a problem. It should be their problem.

LynnV70 · Post by **LynnV70** » 04 May 2013, 00:03

Thanks for your replies. I bought the car with 105,000 miles. The car is very clean and looked very well taken care of. Got a carfax and had only two owners. Came from a Volvo Dealer originally in Utica, NY.

As for the shop I took it to, they have a lady that does all the talking and you can't seem to get to the mechanics who did the work. I suppose this is convenient for them, since it keeps them from having to face the people they do the work for if they screw up. I know many mechanics in my small and humble but limited town seem to frown at a Volvo and I think they are afraid of them. I swear I am getting the feeling that having a Volvo here is not to my advantage. I am also learning that most of the people I have dealt with are not forthright in their dealings and could care less if they did a good job. Had a talk on the phone today with the shop that did a crappy job putting my cat in and the lady (of course never a mechanic available to speak with) at the desk said she didn't know any answers to my questions. Big problem. I guess I had to learn the hard way.

The used car salesman won't answer my calls who sold me the car 6 months back and the shop that fixed my catalytic converter probably caused the problem in the first place when I asked them to do a tune up. That was my first mistake. I am learning that one should ask for all the parts they replaced. It's just a mess and I have to say for those of us that don't know how to fix cars we are really at the mercy of those we are hoping we can trust. I am learning there aren't many you can trust to know what they are doing. Oh well, thanks for the comments all. Be thankful that you have the know how and in most cases on this board that you are guys. Sad to say it, but I think I was just taken advantage of and not much I can do about it.

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 04 May 2013, 07:18

You are correct, most small garages Are afraid to work on Volvo's.... However I'm not sure why..
They are no harder to work on in my opinion, they Are a hell of A lot easier to work on then a Volkswagen or an Audi.
Most small garages don't have diagnostic abilities, but simple suspension, steering, exhaust work is pretty straightforward on any car.
I do my own work, except exhaust.. I would have to bring my car to a garage if I needed a catalytic converter as well.
Really sorry to hear your story... I hope you get it figured out!

Post by **JRL** » 04 May 2013, 07:30

LynnV70 wrote:

The used car salesman won't answer my calls who sold me the car 6 months back

Well, I think most wouldn't. I would. and in fact just did.
A person called me telling me about his issues and what was a nice 2000 XC I sold to him over a year ago.
Long story short, after I had told him I would be happy to do work on it he goes ahead decides to bring it to the dealer who so far has cost him over $3500! All this work that was needed (none of this was present when it was sold) I could have done for him for about $1200, not making anything but good will and good word of mouth (which I think I have).
Now, somehow he broke the bevel gear and they qouted him about 3K to install a new one!
He was ready to almost junk a VERY nice 2000 XC.
I got him a low mileage bevel gear and we installed that, a new collar gear and seals and a new front propshaft bearing for a little under $1000, more than fair.
Now it's better than when I sold it!
I made about 50 bucks, I just was fed up how badly he was getting screwed.

Sad to say it, but I think I was just taken advantage of and not much I can do about it.

Yes you can. There's the BBB and your biggest weapon, the WEB.
Google the shop. You should find a place for comments and complaints, start there
See if they have a Facebook page, go there and tell your story.
They may or may not respond but at least you will have the satisfaction of telling everyone who's thinking about using them to now think about it!

*****

PDLarson · Post by **PDLarson** » 05 May 2013, 08:38

LynnV70 wrote: The used car salesman won't answer my calls ...

Lynn, so sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't really have any advice specific to this problem. But I don't expect the salesman to do anything for you. They're not even really human. One time I was servicing some equipment in a dealer finance office. One sales"man" came in and they were talking about the kid he was expecting soon. He said he hoped it was a girl so he wouldn't have to play ball with "it." I'll remember this forever and yes, sadly he was serious. They're just not human and to have man or men in their title is an insult to real men everywhere. I'm sure there are good ones but I don't know where. Oh and anything they say is a lie unless it is written on something you signed. Kinda' like with cellphones, it NEVER matters what the salesperson said. It only matters what's in the contract.

You've been to the school of hard knocks, maybe earned a degree. Congrats.

In all seriousness though, thanks for coming to this forum to tell your story. I hope you get some good advice and I'm sure your story will benefit others. I hope everything works out in the end. Please post back to let us know what happens. Good luck!

Oh and I like Autozone for my Ford and Chevy. I don't think I'll ever buy anything for my Volvo there. Blue box (Volvo OEM) only for mine. Well worth the extra $ in my opinion.

Of course I have a dealer I can trust. These are the two biggest things you need. A OEM source like a local dealer or FCP and find a shop that is not afraid of your Volvo. Oh yeah, NEVER EVER let a shop work on your transmission unless they have seen many of these same models before. Especially anything that involves adding more fluid like a simple trans fluid flush. NEVER let a local shop that works on everything do this unless they KNOW this exact transmission. Many horror stories here too. You'll drive off, but not very far, They'll say it was on its last leg and now you'll need a trans too.

Post by **JRL** » 05 May 2013, 09:34

PDLarson wrote: m. But I don't expect the salesman to do anything for you. They're not even really human.

Hmm, you bought some parts from me. I think this non human dealt with you fairly.
I think your statement was very unfair.

There are some very nice, honest and caring auto salespeople out there, especially today since it's now one of ALL of the automakers priority... their salespeople; how they deal with customers, product knowledge and treating the customers fairly.

Of course there are plenty of old-timers out there that are sub-human at best,

but these people are retiring on a daily basis and are being replaced by MUCH better trained men and woman.

PDLarson · Post by **PDLarson** » 05 May 2013, 15:56

Sorry Jim, I don't consider you or other forum users salesmen even though I know you deal in cars and parts. You absolutely dealt with me fairly and I never intended to say any different. I did not mean any of my comments toward you or anyone here who frequents the classifieds. I've bought and sold with several people on this and other forums. I sure hope the people who bought from me don't call me a salesman! And yes, I was generalizing and going along with stereotypes but I gave a supporting example and I think I Ieft the door open that I'm sure not all salesmen are awful or something to that effect. I have had smooth transactions with you and hope I would be able to again in the future.

I'll just summarize by saying that I meant my comments to be about professional car sales people, the "floor whores." In my experience, they've all been awful. Of course they are not all that way. I absolutely don't equate my bad experiences with people like you, people who list items in the classifieds, Craigslist, eBay Motors, etc.

I do with the best to the OP though.

Post by **abscate** » 10 May 2013, 08:44

Lynn - stick it out, find that good mechanic (have you looked up at the Forum for "Good Mechanics" above?) and you will get this car back in shape and enjoy it.