I had a shoddy mechanic who installed the Variable Valve timing on my 1999 Volvo V70XC. He did not know if the VVT was supposed to be installed with a special tool. Now, after installation, the car is running like it is choking to death. How much of a chance that this car is irreparable. I have already spent many thousands of dollar in this car. I would like to know if I should spend one more penny in this car.

 

Why would you bring it to a "shoddy mechanic"?
Seriously
A new CVVT sensor requires that you rewire it, the new design is a bit different.
My best guess is that he wired it incorrectly as there are no instructions with the new hub.

Bring it to a VOLVO mechanic and have him/them straighten it out.

Whether the module was damaged is anyone's guess, the worst thing will be is that you will need another and hand the old mechanic the bill!

(I'm assuming you mean the sensor on top of the spark plug area, an entirely new hub is a BIG internal deal and yes, he could have really messed that up)

 

You need to take it to someone that KNOWS Volvo's.
Hopefully there is no bent valves. I have retimed MANY MANY cars from these "Shoddy Mechanics" Sometimes they can be fixed with retiming. Other times they need a head job due to bent valves.

 

Thanks a lot! I just wanted to take a last chance with the car before I salvage it.

 

It might be worth a try to have a shop reset the timing. Should be like 5 hours labor to do it.

 

Thanks guys, I spent so much money in this car that I wanted to ditch it. Even the Volvo dealer took me for a ride, in addition to many other shops that advertised themselves as Volvo shops. My question is for you guys to tell me if you know any reputable Volvo enthusiast in Kissimmee Florida.

 

How Ironic is this! I work at one in Downtown Orlando.
I will PM you the info for the shop.

 

I accidentally took the VVT gear assembly off of an s40 (pretty much the same engine) and didn't "lock in the cams" or mark position one time.

To actually do the replacement correctly it should take 6 hours, (with the special $1000 in Volvo tools)

However I noticed which way the camshaft turned when I took the gear off, and guesstimated where it should have been.

There are very tiny hard to see marks on the cam and the gear and they correspond with each other I found out looking at it closely. Though there is no pin or guide it is very hard to get it exact. Its a press fit for the gear onto the cam.

4 hours of messing around with putting the gear on, timing belt on and turning the engine over by hand, I finally got it back where it was supposed to go. It might have been a degree or two off, but the VVT system was compensating for the difference (watched live data values)

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If your engine is still running, you might be able to save it, just have to be patient. If he was too far off the engine would have locked on itself (interference engine)