2007 XC90 "Read Assembly" ... $2,450 to fix it?

[cn90]

It is a Ford 3.2 engine.
It is mind-boggling to me that the 2.5T is a fine engine and only offered during 2003-2006 years.
The 3.2 is a reason I don't want to buy newer XC90 (such as 2008-2014 models).
If Volvo re-introduced the 2.5T, I'd buy the newer model.

[jimmy57]

There are loads of 3.2's with over 100k and no READ issues.
The ones I have seen with failures are short trip, 7500 mile oil change vehicles. In the snow belt the problem is much worse as idle warming engine up and building loads of water(condensation) in the engine and then doing a slow drive with no chance for engine to ventilate. Roller bearings do not tolerate water in oil.

[northernlights]

Info on R.E.A.D. issues:

http://www.4volvoservice.com/2014/09/vo ... ld-repair/

Holy Crap. That's one engine I will never own.

I wonder if Ford designed this. It looks worse than the Ford/Mazda mutant OHC 4.0 timing chain fiasco engine. All motors need at least three timing chains, right?

(Footnote: If you ever have a chance to own one of those 4.0 V6's I would advise lying down until the feeling passes.)

[cn90]

Hi jimmy57 or any gurus,

I see a few XC60 (yes XC60 not XC90) for sales and some of them have 3.2 engine.
Does the XC60 3.2 engine the same as in the XC90.
Any issues with XC60 3.2 engine?

[jimmy57]

The 3.2 in all Volvos is the same engine. There was a running change in late production 2010 that updated one of the bearings in the READ. There are loads of these with 125K plus and no issues. If its sludgy inside oil filler cap stay away.

[cn90]

Thanks Jimmy,

Over the years, I have learned a lot from you!

[emanzani]

Unfortunately, I too am now familiar with the READ Drive problem. Took my 2007 XC 90 (3.2 engine) for servicing to the dealer last August for a noise out of the engine compartment and an oil leak. The noise was diagnosed as a bad upper engine torque mount and the oil leak was from a leaking brake booster vacuum pump. Mount was replaced and brake pump was resealed. When I picked up the car from the dealer, I noticed a slight humming noise from the engine I hadn't noticed before. Didn't pay much attention to it. About a month ago, I noticed oil leak again and humming noise got a bit higher. Took back in to dealer and they have diagnosed it, preliminarily, as a bad READ drive bearing. Labor alone will cost about $1500. Currently, I'm having a "discussion" with the Dealer's service manager about the repair. QUESTION: Could the repair of the brake booster vacuum pump somehow contributed/caused the READ drive bearing to fail??? The coincidence is pretty remarkable. Current mileage - 109,000

[ALF1]

The replacement of serpentine belt, water pump, belt tensioner pully system is quite an easy repair albeit you must be patient and reinstall the serpentine belt properly to get not screw up the camshaft timing. As such, its for experienced and/or confident DIYers. That being said, I have done it and it only requires you to rent (borrow) a timing belt tensioner wrench from Advanced Auto and perhaps get a larget than normal TORX bit for your ratchet wrench. Parts kits are on IPD and FCP Euro showing all components. Forums have detailed procedures. Not difficult, but not for beginners.

[thebull]

Post by ALF1 » Today, 11:18
The replacement of serpentine belt, water pump, belt tensioner pully system is quite an easy repair albeit you must be patient and reinstall the serpentine belt properly to get not screw up the camshaft timing. As such, its for experienced and/or confident DIYers. That being said, I have done it and it only requires you to rent (borrow) a timing belt tensioner wrench from Advanced Auto and perhaps get a larget than normal TORX bit for your ratchet wrench. Parts kits are on IPD and FCP Euro showing all components. Forums have detailed procedures. Not difficult, but not for beginners.

Hi all,
You are talking about 2.5T engine. It is very different from 3.2. 2.5T does not have REED assembly.
REED change for home mechanics with good knowledge and attention should take 3 days. # days said is taking your time, being careful and not in hurry. The complication of this particular job is opening the timing chain housing, which requires to remove all accessories (AC compressor, power steering pump, alternator). It is time consuming job, and bearings inside REED assembly itself i have not idea if they can be replaced or new REED must be obtained.
So far regarding these 3.2 L engines this one seems to be the biggest problem and it is very uncommon.

[scottspec]

I put together a pretty informative page and video on our website at http://www.scottsautospec.com/VolvoRear ... ssoryDrive $2450 seems rather low but I did have one customer who was quoted close to that number. Most customers who contact us after seeing our page say the dealer is quoting around $5000. We do it between $3-4,000 The variance is for items like the water pump, drive belt, alternator drive, the one way clutches on the R.E.A.D. fail commonly as well. We believe in doing a complete job while it is all apart. I saw one suggestion on here about resealing the cylinder head. I would never recommend removing a cylinder head from an engine unless there is a known issue.

If anyone is up for trying the job on their own, we produce and sell the 2 tools to remove the gear from the R.E.A.D. You can purchase them on ebay here. http://www.ebay.com/itm/231973295709?ss ... 1555.l2649 The are a little different than the factory tools, but the do the same job well at 1/2 the price and I have them available. If you go to Volvo, it is usually takes about a month to get them. You will need a few other tools. The timing chain tool kit can be found on ebay as well. You will need the seal installer and some basic press tools. I also rent the tools to do the job.

If you have any questions, use the contact page on our site.

Scott
http://www.scottsautospec.com