Here's the horrible details - Kid tells me he's leaking coolent 2 days before heading back to college - couldn't be the new heater core so I had him take it to our trusted Volvo guy for a radiator (and an oil change since it will be there on the rack). 200 miles from home, at 70mph, he blows an oil cooler line - 5 quarts of the good stuff coat the car and 2 miles of I-35 North. Had the car towed 205 miles back to mechanic who proffesses complete innocence, but replaces the offending "clamp", drops the pan, inspects all he can, replaces the oil pump bearing(?), changes the oil filter, washes the car, degreases the engine compartment and undercarriage all befor I even ask him. All at No Charge ($850 worth, according to him)- but he claims no resposibility(of course). Also says he owes me 210 bucks of labor for the tow charge.

Sounds great but I have 2 questions:
1) Is it reasonable to assume he might have been too "rough" on that oil line while replacing the radiator.
2) Despite his pronouncement that all is in great shape I worry what sort of damage may have been done. The car ran for 2 to 4 minutes after the light came on.

I want to believe the car is trustworthy - he took my S80 (and I'd like to get it back while it still looks and runs like new!) And my association with the mechanic is long and good.

Thanks for your thoughts


PS Now thw ABS light is on! Grrrrrrrrr

 

What kind of car had the problem with the oil leak? I probably would not worry much unless it was turbo and over heated. Those oil cooler lines do go bad a lot on these cars. Our's is a GLT and the line was $158 at the steeler. Ouch!!!

Sounds like you swapped cars with your son. I think that was a good idea. Just watch the oil level over the next 1000 miles and if it doesn't burn a lot of oil you are likely fine.

Also, I would have my insurance company pay for the tow and let the mechanic off the hook (I have towing on my insurance policy for $1 per month). It sounds like he really stepped up to the plate with taking care of you guys with the oil leak. Those lines actually clip on and off of the radiator. I usually put a zip tie on the clip to try to make sure they don't pop off.