Please make me feel better

magnoliablue · Post by **magnoliablue** » 22 Sep 2004, 14:02

I have an 1994 850 sedan,not turbo. This is the nicest car I have ever owned.(850 bashers, save your comments..you havent seen some of the junk i;ve driven;))
Yesterday the brake light flickered for a sec, then it went off. It returned after a bit and steadily stayed on. When I left to take kids to school, I noticed a small puddle underneath the car. My fiance diagnosed it as indeed being brake fluid.

We took the car to a local shop who admittedly does not like foreign cars. He put it on the lift and said the leak looks like it is coming from under the abs pump. The area around and ontop of the pump is dry. He topped it off with brake fluid and sent us on our way.

We called a local shop specializing in Volvos, he has a good rep, and he said it is unusual for a leak to originate at the pump. He said it could be something minor..but we are taking it in tomorrow am.

I am scared to death,lol especially after reading some of the other stories on here. We own a Volvo, but not a Volvo pocketbook. I called my friends auto part salvage and he has the abs pump in stock should we need it for 300.00. My questions are...could it be a minor leak and just be at the base of where the pump and line meet? Worst case scenerio, whats the fair rate for a fix like this? Is 300. a fair price for the pump? I am scared ..well, s#@!less that this is going to be a scary nightmare, and I don't want to lose my car:( Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks much!

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 22 Sep 2004, 16:49

Take this with a grain of salt...The brake system is a weak link for Volvo in general. This goes back to the 240/740 and beyond. The brakes wear out too fast for the amount of miles that you drive. The ABS module was not designed to be as durable as the rest of the car (except maybe the transmission). The squeal of pads (OEM or aftermarket) is also annoying.

When the brakes are "fresh" they will stop the car very well. The hardware is not prone to leaks or fluid failure. The system is designed well enough mechanically (save frequent pad replacements) to endure the life of the car.

OK, I have contradicted myself enough. If you are leaking fluid and need to take your car to a mechanic, stay away from non-Volvo types, as the engineering will baffle them. The fluid needs to be purged every time you replace pads (in my case that is every 2 years on the front and every 4 on the rear). I have had fewer squealing problems with OEM pads (except for the rear). There are places that will sell re-built ABS modules for less than $300 and offer a warranty - do a google search. A Volvo shop will charge their prices for a ABS unit.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Sep 2004, 16:51

Sounds like a fair deal for a used ABS control module. New I think they're around $500. But I don't think the module would have anything to do with a leak. Chances are you just have a leaky brake line.

In the larger picture, it's a 10, 11 year old car. Things are going to start breaking. It happens on 2 year old cars too. It's just part of driving.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Sep 2004, 17:13

Thanks for your responses so far. I know we have to expect to have to put some money into it..we have been very lucky so far. I haven't had to do anything other than general maintenance and a new set of tires.

But I have my fingers crossed that it is just a leak and not a real painful repair job financially this time. I'll know more in the morning and keep you posted! This is a great site, I am glad I found it:)

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Sep 2004, 17:52

If they say "you need a new module" don't do it -- post back here and take the car to a 2nd place for their opinion. Ask around for a quality independent Volvo mechanic.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Sep 2004, 19:17

I asked everyone I knew, including my friend who owns the auto salvage. Seems we only have three auto repair places that specialize in foreign cars. One mentioned I have had the misfortune of being ripped off by with my Suburu. One I used exclusively after the first time being bitten, and they were really reliable, but pretty much steer towards Suburu repair. The last guy mentioned is the one we called...he exclusively works on Volvos and Mercedes only..so we will see. My fiance is a pretty good car buff, and has been around the block. He will make sure we don't get screwed.

I will go for a second opinion, if he suggests a module right off the bat. A few other people with Volvo experience said RARELY is it the module thats leaking, most always it is a leak in a line..so I'll let you know, Matthew. Thanks much!!!

magnoliablue · Post by **magnoliablue** » 23 Sep 2004, 17:30

Well.... Matthew, you told me to post back. The news was not good.

The owner of the shop seemed a decent guy, he has a great rep around these parts, and we felt comfortable. He said right up front that he highly doubted the pump itself was leaking, that in all his years of working on Volvos, he had yet to have to replace a pump. It would have to figure that we have the first, so he says. We had a used one lined up but he said he is hesitant to use used parts..is this a common thing with a good mechanic? Last I heard he was scouring the 'net for a good price on a new pump. The bad thing is we have low,low funds, and the car is going to be sitting there for a week or two anyway..wonder if his tune will change when he find out we aren't a bottomless pit of dinero..so, thoughts? Think I should get a second opinion? There are only two other shops around here. Please give me some advice.

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Sep 2004, 23:11

I'd let your fianc