Does This Sound Right?

gphmdyw · Post by **gphmdyw** » 13 Aug 2011, 07:11

2002 Volvo S60 AWD

After Timing Belt job and 105k mi service, car doesn't "zoom" like it used to upon initial acceleration ("resists" me and "winds") - gets a little better as day goes on. Also, transmission is suddenly a little slippery upon initial accerlation after coasting. Mechanic also gave me aftermarket brakes instead of the Volvo originals he promised, so I don't trust he was thorough in general.

Took it to a 2nd shop - indy Volvo mechanic w/good reputation to check over 1st mechanic's work. They agreed that it didn't have "pep" these cars usually do, but "couldn't find anything wrong." 2nd shop said they didn't have time to check over the rest of the 1st mechanic's work (was 105k mi service stuff really done?) I left it at 2nd shop on 2 separate days, and don't feel confident they were thorough either.

Question is this: 2nd shop said that as far as engine lack of performance goes, the only thing I can do is "keep driving it and wait for something to fail." They said they checked over all possible problems like fans, teeth on belts, etc. and everything looks ok.

Does that sound right? Or do you think a thorough mechanic could find the problem? I'm a woman and I don't think people give me or my car the same seriousness they might give a man.

volvodoc · Post by **volvodoc** » 15 Aug 2011, 08:33

sounds like the t belt is installed wrong and the vvt is retarding the timing this is something you would notice as soon as you picked up the car

gphmdyw · Post by **gphmdyw** » 22 Aug 2011, 05:15

What is the vvt? He already checked the teeth on the belts and they're lined up correctly, he said. I also notice the transmission is suddenly slippery, where it hadn't been before. Could this be a tranny iusse? It really "winds" in my in the morning, and if I try to get it to coast, it slows down quickly. It's like something is "holding it back".

But since it's nearly impossible to diagnose a car on the internet, what I'm wondering is this: It doesn't seem to me that a microscope is needed for him to find the problem...he test drove it and looked around and did a diagnostics, but I feel he just isn't willing to give it a good look inside, with his hands. His is a busy shop and I'm not a "longtime" customer. Shouldn't he be able to find the problem instead of me just driving it til it dies and the engine or tranny goes?

Cactuslegs · Post by **Cactuslegs** » 22 Aug 2011, 09:43

VVT stands for Variable Valve Timing. Here is a good link to some more information on it with pictures included.

http://www.justanswer.com/volvo/2qlk8-n ... -2000.html

As volvodoc said, I also think that the timing may be a tad off, just because the teeth line up with the gears, doesn't mean that the gears were in the right position when they were re-installed. As you suspect, this is a time consuming project that some mechanics might not want to deal with. They especially hate chasing other mechanics failures...

Post by **JRL** » 22 Aug 2011, 10:41

My vote is for a tooth off in the timing belt

gphmdyw · Post by **gphmdyw** » 24 Aug 2011, 05:47

Thanks, guys. I knew instinctively that the good indy I took it to - to check over 1st mechanic's work - didn't want to check over the other's work. Looks like I have a fight on my hands. He used a "Ruville" belt - could that be the problem? he promised me genuine Volvo everything, is Ruville genuine? Should I go back and demand he do it over right? Will my engine get destroyed eventually? It doesn't like what's going on...it's resisting more and more every day. Doesn't even want to "coast". Also, tranny started slipping after TB job.