Our 2019 XC60 A/C has stopped cooling. Dealer wants $485 just to diagnose it (which they claim includes a coolant recharge because they use UV dye to show leaks). If it's a blown hose, it's covered under warranty. We have to agree to the $485 just to find that out. (Really???) If they refuse warranty service, we're out the $485.

With this in mind, we had an independent shop look at it ($80) and they found a blown hose. Never worked with them before but they only do Volvo and they have a fine reputation. They would do the repair for $400 if Volvo somehow refuses to recognize it as a warranty issue.

So, the question is, is there any reason to believe that a non-working A/C on a 3-1/2 year old vehicle would be something NOT covered by warranty? The dealer service guy said they recommend a recharge every four years...is THAT true? Basically I have to decide whether to trust the independent guy's diagnosis and hope that Volvo will concur. I just don't know how to make that call.

The car is still at the other shop and I need to make a decision here, so if anyone has guidance I'd love to hear it as soon as possible. Thanks - so much! - in advance.

 

1. Dye is installed when the car is built. It is true you can charge the system and add more dye - but you can check for dye stains since there is dye in it from the factory.

2. AC is a closed system and is not supposed to leak. The metal pipes that most of the system is comprised of - don't leak. There's two flexible rubber hoses that flex with the engine - those are the most likely leakers. Most modern cars (Volvos included) don't have enough leakage to need a recharge for a very long time.(longer than 4 years.)

I'd get Volvo to replace the hose under warranty -

 

Thank you, that's just the kind of insight I was hoping for.
In the mean time I contacted a different Volvo dealer and they were much more straight about it - said they'd been seeing this issue with the older-model hoses (2-flange vs 3-flange) and that there is a newer part. So I'm going to pay my local guy for the diagnosis and go to that dealer. Your message reinforces that decision.

 

Any Dealer that charges $$ to diagnose a car that is still under warranty is a crook, and should be avoided. Your 2nd dealer is the one to utilize, avoid the 1st.

 

where are you located or were you located when this happened? Any chance it was in Ga?