I have a huge problem. I own a 2007 S40 2.4 with 47,000 miles. Last Monday, under normal driving conditions, my wife heard a rattling noise from the engnie and the car died, leaving her stranded in the middle of a major street. Car towed to Volvo service garage. Diagnostic code ECM-640 F, which is cam shaft position incorrect. Compression test reveals zero compression. Jump time. Catastrophic and significant engine damage. The mechanic can find no reason for the jump time. No improperly done work around the area, debris, etc. "Freak occurrance". The estimates are $4,600 to rebuild and $9,160 to install new engine! This is absolutely insane. I have spoke to several mechanics and none have ever seen a car with this few miles jump time. How can this happen? The car is under the warranty for miles, however 8 months out of warranty time. So basically Volvo tells me I am fully responsible. The sad irony of this is that I researched the car and purchased becuase of reliability and safety, and now it has the most major mechanical problem possible and leaves my wife and daughter stranded in traffic and danger. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

 

"The mechanic can find no reason for the jump time." He's lying. Surprise. When an engine jumps time the cause is always immediately obvious. Probably a failed tensioner.

Are you the first owner of this car? Did you buy it from this dealer? What work have you had performed on the car within the last say 10,000 miles?

You basically have two choices.
(1) Take the car to an independent Volvo specialist and have them document the cause of the timing belt system failure. (Assuming the Volvo dealer hasn't already destroyed the evidence by disassembling the timing belt system). Escalate a claim through the Volvo hierarchy to see if they will help you out. If they won't, lawyer up, see if that makes a difference.
(2) Suck it up and pay to fix it. The repair estimates seem high to me but that depends on whether there is piston, cylinder and connecting rod damage in addition to the head damage. If you decide to fix it, I'd have an independent Volvo shop do it.

 

almost 10 grand to install an engine?? it takes 9 hours to change out a engine in these cars. engines cost from $500-2000 depending on mileage on it. You do not rebuild these engines, you replace them.

that guy is trying to rip you off -- go elsewhere.

 

Well, there you have it. Professional advice.

Car-part.com shows literally dozens of these engines available in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.

 

I am not the original owner. I purchased from an independent dealer, which doesn't help me in working with Volvo. There has been no work done to the vehicle other than standard maintenance. I have spoken with the previous owner and no issues with vehicle in the time he owned it. I agree that I have to deal with Volvo and work towards obtaining some goodwill participation from them. It will be an uphill battle I am afraid. I can only hope they will stand by their vehicles and their brand. I have spoken with Volvo Customer Care and was told only the local service manager and regional rep could sign off on financial assistance.

If they do not cooperate/participate with cost, I will certainly not have the car repaired there as the cost is crazy high. Obviously replacing the engine is the only real option. After I do that, I don't think I can help but to have reservations about reliability. In searching, I have yet to find on other forums about jumped time in a vehicle of this low miles. sickening situation all around.

 

No one is going to "pay it for you". Our shop just had a customer come in with a blown engine because Firestone forgot to put oil in the car, gave him the run around and gave him the car back saying it was good to go.

We Documented everything for him, he went to battle Firestone. Lost. You can't battle money.

no else where and see what it would cost to have the engine replaced. Should b no more than $3000 and thats even high.