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.

 

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 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...

 

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!