Rear End Accessory Drive in XC90 3.2
 

Hello,
I have an 2007 XC90 3.2 (100k Mls) which developed a noise over the last months. I had the car at a dealer for service, they checked and found that the bearing in the Rear End Accessory Drive (R.E.A.D.) is bad, exchange requires significant work and the cost estimate is $4,000. Since I'm fairly good with cars and I have a shop with lift and tools (I restore classic cars in my spare time) I plan to do this by myself.
Questions:

• Where can I find diagrams of the XC90 3.2, especially engine
• Did anybody experience a failure of the R.E.A.D. before
• Do other Volvo 3.2 also have the R.E.A.D?
• Is the R.E.A.D. part of the engine, means if I would buy a used engine would the R.E.A.D. be part of it?

Any pointers would be very helpful!
- Juergen

All 3.2s have the READ and there have been a few bearing failures. Volvo does have a procedure to remove and rebuild it, but there are some special tools and procedures. Don't break it, because it is machined to the block. A used motor should come with one.

Thanks for the reply! Does that mean I can't fix it by myself, I have to bring it to the dealer or I have to install another (used) engine and hope it does not have the same problem? Will every 3.2 from Volvo work or does it has to be from a XC90?
- Juergen

Depends on the tools you have available, but if you don't have the procedure, I would recommend against trying to rebuild it yourself. You can take the unit off and bring it to them to rebuild to save some labor.

Not sure if every one will work, there are different 3.2s. Best bet is to use the engine code to match them.

Ok, thanks again, leads to another (and hopefully last) question, where can I find the engine code?

I think the 3.2 had a sticker on the front of the engine, but what is your VIN?

The VIN is YV4CZ982571331784. Is there anywhere a diagram where I can see the READ, the dealer showed me a picture but I couldn't find something similar anywhere else.

98 is the VIN code for your engine, which is a B6324S.

I don't have any pictures. The dealer probably showed you the parts diagram, not the repair information. Volvon has videos of rebuilding them because of the processes involved in a total rebuild. I cannot post those though.

Ok, thanks for the help! Plan is then to get the engine out and to check with the dealership whether they can rebuild the READ when I drop it off, if not I will look for a used engine. Have seen a few in the $2,000 - $3,000 range. I have a car lift, an engine crane, tools, .... Looks like a week of fun:)

You don't have to take the engine out, just take the READ off the engine and bring it to them.

Good to hear, I might have to ping you a few times once I get started. My family will be on vacation starting mid of July and then we don't need the car so I can get started.

You might want to find out what they will charge to just rebuild it to see if the savings is worth it. Sometimes it can be tricky to get the READ separated from the engine and if either breaks, the motor needs replacement. At least if they break something, they are liable.

Follow up
 

How did you make out on this? I own a Volvo Specialty Shop and we rebuild one of these a few months ago. It required about $1000.00 worth of special tools and days to find the procedures to do it. I could not imagine doing the job without either of these so I'm very curious how you made out or what your solution ended up being. Even the techs at the dealer I talked to told us to run from the job because they were a real pain.

Update 03/28/2021
I no longer own the shop, but I am still doing quite a bit with READ units. I have a new site here: https://www.volvoread.com

Scott

I sold the car, I already had a lead on another engine but something else came up. I never tried to repair the READ.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the update.

Scott

As a XC90 3.2L owner, this R.E.A.D. thread caught my eye, and after a little research I found this page with a little more info...

Volvo Rear End Auxiliary Drive - Rebuild - Repair -

I will try and look it up in VIDA and see what it says about this job too...

correct READ rebuild page is below
 

www.4volvoservice.com/volvo-repair/volvo-repair-rear-end-accessory-drive-rebuild/

Thanks for updating the url. We changed domain names.

Scott I'm impressed your shop tackled this daunting job.

Recently had the READ unit go in my 2010 XC90 3.2 I6 with 94,000 km (warranty only until 80km). Noticed the noise and took it to my local shop...they advised me not to drive it and came up with the correct diagnosis. They also didn't have the correct tools (approx. $3K), and advised I contact the Volvo dealership (2hrs away). Had it towed and repaired. Bill was $5K....I paid $3K; Volvo dealership and Volvo NA picked up $2K. Dealership advised me since we take good care of our XC90 and this was potentially a known issue, they would work with me on this. Had the water pump done at the same time. All in all very happy considering this was a catastrophic failure that I was not expecting in a vehicle we had heavily researched and that we plan to keep for a long time.

Hope this helps!

Please do not attempt rebuild your read
 

This is an extremly technical job that requires expensive tools, you can't just remove the read and send it out to be rebuilt because there is a gear that is pressed into the side of the block that even requires a special tool to remove it, there is a roll pin that is pressed through this unit and into the block, even removing this gear from the block can easily damage the block. I have 25 pages of very detailed instructions on how to rebuild this unit and let me tell you, it's scary! I own a repair shop that repairs Volvos among all other makes and and I own an s80 with a faulty read bearing and plan to use this car as practice in rebuilding this unit. Even I and my lead tech (both ase masters) are a little nervous about this but I am prepared for the worst! This is definitely something that you do not attempt unless you really know exactly what you are doing. You are much better off paying to have this unit rebuilt with the updated parts than replacing the engine with a used one, it will likely have the same issue someday. Don't forget.. You own a Volvo, although these are VERY good cars, they can be expensive sometimes.

For people buying used XC90 with 3.2L engine, what is the gurus' advice re R.E.A.D.?

Should people stay away from this 3.2L Ford design?

The READ wasn't nearly as common of a failure as the whole oil consumption issue.

I'm no Guru, but would by an XC90 again. The READ issue is extremely rare, so I wouldn't let it hold me back. I have had no oil consumption issues with my 2010 3.2.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

We have updated our page with more pictures and a video of course with a new url. Volvo Rear End Accessory Drive Rebuild

Scott

Much appreciated Scott.

Updated site again
 

We create a new page with more info here:

Update to the url for our page about the R.E.A.D. rebuild.
 

Our site is mentioned several times in this thread. There have been a few variations of this page. The latest is at Volvo Rear End Accessory Drive Rebuild We have added a video and since the original, we have rebuild another.

Scott

2007 xc90 R.E.A.D
 

Although you probably will not have much luck getting your money back from the dealer, I would of course try, failing that, I would suggest that rather than walk away from the vehicle go see what a local Volvo dealer will charge you for the repair. I have seen some estimates around $2500. Assuming that most 2007 XC90's with say 125K miles sell for around $5,000, you might wind up having paid a fair price when the repair is completed for a very solid vehicle that will, if taken care of, give you good safe service for a number of years and one that the READ unit has already been repaired.

Get a thorough evaluation of the vehicle from a reputable shop. Also ask them to confirm that the noise is coming from the READ. They do frequently fail, but 90% of the people who contact me thinking they have a bad READ, don't. The water pumps, tensioner, and one way clutch fail more often than the READ's.

If the evaluation indicates that the vehicle is in relatively good condition, I would seriously consider having the READ rebuilt. While it can be done for $2800, I would strongly suggest considering replacing the water pump, tensioner, and possibly the one-way clutch. It will add to the cost significantly, but it may save you time, aggravation, and money in the long run. Because if you go looking for another $2000 - $5000 car, you may just end up with another problem child.

I have once again moved the READ page to https://www.scottsautomotivemd.com/v...cessory-drive/ The other links here are still OK because they are redirected.

Scott

When I registered the car they said the retail value was $7,150 so if I fix it it's still worth it I guess lol. I unfortunately won't be getting such a great deal I guess.

I keep calling the volvo dealership near me and they haven't called me back. I think I will just do like you suggested and have it thoroughly looked at and go from there. Thanks!

Update
 

[QUOTE=ScottSpec;388026]How did you make out on this? I own a Volvo Specialty Shop and we rebuild one of these a few months ago. It required about $1000.00 worth of special tools and days to find the procedures to do it. I could not imagine doing the job without either of these so I'm very curious how you made out or what your solution ended up being. Even the techs at the dealer I talked to told us to run from the job because they were a real pain.

Update 03/20/2021

I no longer own the shop, but I am still selling rebuilt READ's and tools. I'm setting up a new site at https://volvoread.com/

New Website
 

Update 03/20/2021

I not longer own the shop, and the page linked above is gone, but I am still selling rebuilt READ Units and have a new website at https://volvoread.com/.

New Website
 

Update 03/20/2021

I not longer own the shop, and the page linked above is gone, but I am still selling rebuilt READ Units and have a new website at https://volvoread.com/.

New Website
 

Update 03/20/2021

I not longer own the shop, and the page linked above is gone, but I am still selling rebuilt READ Units and have a new website at https://volvoread.com/.

New Website
 

I have created a new website for everything READ. Videos with description, operation, and rebuilding step by step. it's https://www.volvoread.com

Scott