Engine is dead after less then 3 years of use

maxliberty · Post by **maxliberty** » 10 Jan 2017, 07:47

Hello forum people,

I have a friend who bought the XC90 luxurious Volvo model in Aug14. Last weekend he found out the engine of the car is completely dead. He went to a certified volvo fixer that confirmed that no sabotage was done to the car. The engine just "went dead". The man is devastated. But I think he should be upset. I mean this Volvo we are talking about, One of the most reliable firms in the business. He kept the car like his baby, yet the almost new engine died conveniently just four months after the entire warranty expired. It had no more then 60,000 miles on it.
Volvo now requests the equivalent of $15,000 for a new engine. My question is how surprising is it to read of such incident, and are there any tests that i can recommend him to do?

Post by **gstallons** » 11 Jan 2017, 03:08

What year is the auto ? You say almost new engine , what do you mean ?
Please explain more . You give us vague information . Give us more and we will discuss.

maxliberty · Post by **maxliberty** » 11 Jan 2017, 18:26

The auto was brand new, bought in Aug14. First hand, zero mileage, from the manufecturer. Probably smelled like roses too... Im not sure what was the cost, but i can ask. and at the "time of death" It had no more then 60,000 miles on it.
If there are any more spesific details you wish to know, shoot freely. Im most intersted in your opinion, as someone how deals with Volvo cars and engine on a regualr basis.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jan 2017, 18:53

So your friend bought a brand new XC90 from a Volvo dealer in August of 2014. And now 2.5 years later the engine is dead.

The warranty was 2 years, I'm guessing by what you wrote, and the XC90 had about 60k miles.

Yes, that is very odd. We'll need some specifics to comment with any accuracy.

_The engine was a 3.2 liter gasoline? Or diesel?
_He took it to a Volvo dealer to have the diagnosis?
_What exactly was the cause of the engine failing, as described by the dealer?

maxliberty · Post by **maxliberty** » 12 Jan 2017, 06:10

Thank you for the questions. It seemd strange to me as well. Ill ask all that and get right back to you

Post by **oragex** » 13 Jan 2017, 10:02

There was a widespread issue with clogged PCV system on cars after 2011. It caused high oil consumption and damage to pistons. Search on forums about high oil consumption. You can gather information, and contact directly the main Volvo Offices of your country. Don't waste any time with the local Volvo dealer. Volvo is well known for not taking responsibility for any engineering fault. Your friend will have to fight with the main headquarters.

This is just a topic about this issue, on a different engine, but there is a chance all these recent engines had the same faulty PCV system installed.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 26&t=73976

To feel a little better, Audi had the exact same issue using the same PCV part, and they honored without any questions complete engine replacement for all their customers.

maxliberty · Post by **maxliberty** » 14 Jan 2017, 13:47

Thank you oragex, Ill give my friend your advice and meanwhile go have a look at that link you attached.

I have some more details regarding Matthew's questions:
It's a gasoline engine. My friend said he took it to a certified Volvo workshop, and they told him that the engine can no longer go above 30% of it's abbiliteis and it's baisiclly a hazard to continue using it. They said it's very rare for it to heppend on a 45,000 miles engine.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Jan 2017, 14:04

maxliberty wrote:Thank you oragex, Ill give my friend your advice and meanwhile go have a look at that link you attached.

I have some more details regarding Matthew's questions:
It's a gasoline engine. My friend said he took it to a certified Volvo workshop, and they told him that the engine can no longer go above 30% of it's abbiliteis and it's baisiclly a hazard to continue using it. They said it's very rare for it to heppend on a 45,000 miles engine.

At the light of what that specific dealer mentioned, I would go with the car to a different garage. It might only be a 'limp' mode that has nothing to do with something mechanical.

local.google.com can display other garages in your specific area, along with some user's review for each garage.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Jan 2017, 14:19

I agree. Try a second Volvo garage, or better: a Volvo dealer.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 09 Sep 2017, 23:27

I've had an experience with shifty trans shop here in the states quoting me to rebuild a perfectly good 41TE transmission on a Chrysler for $2500 USD when what it really needed was a TCM/control computer. In my case I insisted on seeing the diagnostic code that was triggering limp mode and went back home to research first -- On the Chrysler TCM Code 42 indicates an electrical issue where the circuit monitor sensed either an open or short to the 2/4 shift control solenoid or lack of PWM control signal from the TCM. Mind you the solenoid pack on those mounts to the side of the trans..$120 part and about 1/2 hour to replace. A rebuilt TCM costs in the neighborhood of $200, 10 minutes + set the pinion factor with a pro level OBD tool. But if I didn't know, with something that big the rule is ALWAYS get a second opinion. If the second shop, preferably a Volvo dealer, gives the same diagnosis that it needs a new engine then go forward from there.