I am taking my 04 xc90 T6 in for the timing belt replacement tomorrow. I asked the guy to check it when I was getting new tires, I had been told by another mechanic that it needed to be done but had just been charged over 800.00 for various things that he said needed to be done so I told him I would do it later. So this new guy looks at it and confirms that it really REALLY needs to be changed. So tomorrow in it will go for the new one. I am being charged 630.00 and he is using genuine volvo parts.
Also I was told that maybe I should be changing the water pump at the same time (this from the first mechanic not this new guy) what are the thoughts on that?? is it really something that I should ask to have done??

Kari.

 

It's a time saver for them to change out the water pump while they have easy access to it. But honestly, unless you have had a serious low coolant/leak problem I would leave it for the next go-round. IMO the water pump isn't a 'must have' in terms of preventative maintenance like the timing belt. If it were the other way around - going in for a water pump and them suggesting the timing belt - I would say do it. But it is sort of standard practice to ask/suggest one when doing the other. So don't feel pressured into saying yes. After all, your truck is only 4 years old.

 

Thanks,

I am not going to get it done this time. I haven't had any problems with that so far... lots of other things but not that yet.
Part of me would like to get it done just to know that it is new and I don't have to worry about it going a little while later. But that would add another 300 to the bill so I will wait.

 

Yes the water pumps on Volvos seem to last a lot longer than on other makes'. If it has minor coolant seepage, I would replace it otherwise do it at next timing belt change, by which time you may be driving different vehicle. I replaced the water pump on my 850 only because it did have a minor seepage.

Next time when a mechanic tells you "you need to replace this and that", make him/her show you the part and demand explanations as to why it needs replacement. If he/she hesitates or cannot answer your question instantaneously, I would find another mechanic. Make sure he/she is ASE-certified Master Technician. You do not have to be a mechanic to tell if a component needs replacement; it should have some signs of wear (crack, chafing, discolouration, separation, burn marks,liquid leaks, etc...).


JPN

 

I will ask to see the belt and the tensioner and other pieces they take off.
at first I would have never asked for that but now I am so tired of dealing with mechanics that I have no problem at all saying show me the junk!!

Kari.

 

Hi Kari,

One correction. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence; a national automotive technician certificate) only applies to the United States and Canada may have different certificate.

Yes make sure to let them show you the junk, and if the junk looks new/free of defect, tell them to put the junk back in and demand a refund[8D].


JPN

 

call today to see how it is going and when I can expect to pick it up and I am told that they broke a "nipple" off some part that has to do with the thermostat. So they call volvo and tell them they need this specific piece and they are told that it is not sold as a specific piece but as a whole unit that costs 180.00 (seems to be the way everything is in this car)I don't have to pay for it but I have to wait till tomorrow sometime to pick it up. Having said all that I am thinking of trading it in after this and seeing what I can get. I am going to try for a straight across the board trade. I do love this car and I think it looks amazing but I can't deal with the constant repairs that seem to have to be done on it and not only that, the cost of them are killing me. I am probably going to go for a Tahoe or some other domestic. Most likely a Chev, we have had Tahoes in the family now for about 10 yrs and they have never given us a problem so.....[&o]


Kari.

 

Hi Kari,

I am sorry that your XC90 has been giving you so many problems. I personally feel that Volvo hurried (or being forced to hurry by the holding company[8D]) to design & assemble XC90s just to catch up with other makes. I never imagined that even Porsche would make SUVs.

If you have been happy with domestic models, stick with them. I would personally recommend Toyota for their bullet-proof durability but they are indeed expensive.

It is too bad, because the XC90s are one of the nicest looking SUVs around, let alone its safety.

Even when you part with your XC90 to get something else, visit our "Off-Topic" section for your new vehicle's technical concerns. Next time you buy a car, make sure to do a visual inspection, test drive it and have it inspected by your mechanic; this may cost you as much as CDN $120 but would be a well-spent money.


JPN

 

Thanks JPN, I absolutely LOVE the way this car looks, I see them on the road and they look amazing, but looks don't help me any when things start to go wrong. Before we decided to buy this, we did the test drive, drove it to the mechanic to have it looked over and everything looked perfect. That is what is so disappointing, this shouldn't be happening. I think today it became blatantly clear that I am done with it when I went to the shop to see how it was going and I felt nothing when I saw it there all taken apart, I just want it gone now.
anyway, we will see what happens

Kari[&o]

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Too many problems with reported with theT6 (with a GM tranny!!!). Too bad you didn't go for a 2005 or newer with the V8. We've not had any significant issues that wasn't covered by warranty or TBs. We love our 06 XC90V8 and will buy one again later. Good luck.

 

My problems have nothing to do with the transmission ... yet.

 

well I have it back, and all appears to be well, I think I may keep it... for now at least, Damn Volvos you can't help but love them!

 

Part of the reason why Volvos are so well-designed, in terms of exterior/interioris because in Sweden, people seem to keep their cars longer because of their heavy tax. When you buy a new car in Sweden, you have to pay tax that is big enough to buy another car. So, people expect their cars to stay nice-looking for a long time.

I noticed that more female drivers seem to be attracted to the XC90s than males, probably because the XC90s are the most elegantly-designed SUVs available. Domestic SUVs seem more macho, while Japanese SUVs are somewhere in between.

Anyway, use the most out of this forum to keep the running cost as low as possible, even though it is still difficult on the XC90s. Make sure to strictly follow scheduled maintenance, change ALL fluids at specified intervals or shorter if you feel safer that way (power steering fluid may be an exception; you can leave it until you part with the vehicle or add if the level is low). Note, that in case of the transmission fluid, that only designated fluid should be used or the transmission can fry in a matter of seconds. I would entrust this job to a reputable Volvo dealer.

To avoid unnecessary troubles on the transmission, do not shift between D & R unless the vehicle is at a complete stop. Check the fluid level & condition; I don't know the colour (clear red for the 850s) but it should not have burnt smell. NEVER allow even a tiny piece of foreign object fall into the dipstick tube. Even a tiny FOD can clog a hydraulic passage in the transmission and make it a junk. When you shift into gears, wait 2 seconds or until you feel engagement before driving off. Follow the owner's manual for service intervals for general items.


JPN

 

I think the reason I may have not had any trouble yet with the transmission is due to how I drive it and such. I never ever put it inot drive until the rpms have gone down, and I never hit the gas until you can feel it has engaged and kind of goes on it's own.

What is the recommendation for flushing the transmission?? One mechanic told me it is a fill for life system and then I have heard form other xc90 drivers to flush but I don't remember how often or when to start.

Thanks.

Kari

 

It is still up to debate whether or not to flush transmission fluid. In general, many auto manufacturers state that the fluid is good for the life of the car.

On the other hand, the real world usage shows sings of deteriorations. Some members, including myself, believe the fluid should be changed at every 30,000 miles or so. And if discolouration or burnt smell is present, the fluid needs to be changed.

One exception. If the fluid has never been changed on a high-mileage/kilometer vehicles, it may do more harm than good by changing the fluid. This is because the build-up deposits from the original fluid may get washed off/dislodged with the introduction of fresh fluid, and cause blocking of the tiny hydraulic passages within a transmission. So, if a car hasn't had a fluid change done for more than 96,000 kms/60,000 miles (these are just my numbers for the argument's sake), I would leave it alone unless it has definite signs of deteriorations such as discolouration or burnt smell.

I hope this answers your question.


JPN

 

Totally, I don't know if the first owners ever changed it and I have 145000 kms on it now and the fluid is clear and red and has no burnt smell. I think I will just leave it.



kari.

 

Yes leave it until the transmission junks on you. Check the fluid level and do not let it too low or too high. To check for tranny fluid level:

1. Drivethe vehicleuntil the coolant temp gauge stays at normal operating temp (15-20 min.).
2. With your foot firmly on the brake pedal & the parking brake fully engaged, go through each shifter position in the following order, stopping 2-3 seconds at each position:

P-R-N-D-3-L-3-D-N-R-P (there may be more positions, in which case simply add the position in the sequence)

3. With parking brake still firmly applied, shift into P and chock the wheels if possible.

4. Pull out the tranny fluid dipstick, wipe clean with lint-free cloth, then reinsert it making sure that it is absolutely free of dirt/foreign object.

5. Pull the stick out and check for the fluid level. It should be within "HOT" or cross-hatch pattern mark. If low, add the specified fluid little by little through the dipstick tube. A tranny fluid funnel with flexiblehose is available at auto parts shops.

If you plan to keep the XC90 for a bit longer, make sure to follow scheduled maintenance, and come here often to update yourself and ask questions.

I wish you the best of luck with your XC90!


JPN