'99 S80 90K service horror story - Volvo of Stamford (CT)

Took my S80 T6 to Volvo of Stamford for a 90K service. Told them, while it's
here, replace the timing belt and drop the pan on the transmission, replace
transmission filter, etc.

They kept the car from Thursday morning till Monday afternoon (gave me an
S60 as a loaner). Got the S80 back after paying $1528. The car seemed a bit
"jumpy", like transmission wasn't engaging quite on-time. Didn't get a
chance to check it, nor was I sure what to check for two weeks (800-900
miles). Finally decided that I'd better check the ATF. The dipstick was
completely DRY. I wondered how well they "Checked/adjusted all fluid
levels". Checked the rest myself, the Powersteering dipstick DRY as well.
The rest of the fluids fine, except for Windshield Fluid 48 ounces short
(remember all were supposedly topped off within two weeks).

Started checking further, the "Rotate tires" item resulted in two of the
wheels being mounted with the "Rotation->" indicator Backwards! The "Checked
all exterior lights/signals" item was apparently completed without the
cracked foglight being noticed. The "Cleaned Power Antenna" item was
completed on a non-existent antenna.

Time to check the bill - I was billed for 4quarts ATF (the transmission
holds 7.9). Bought and added 2 more quarts. I was NOT billed for the
transmission filter. Asked the service rep why there was only a "Gasket"
charge ($31) and no filter charge. The rep said "it's a kit that includes
the filter, the filter was definitely changed". Asked the parts dept - they
said that the gasket is just a gasket and the filter is a separate item
@$49.

Brought the car back, did a bit of yelling. They corrected the mis-mounted
tires, added ANOTHER quart of ATF. Now the service manager wants to get the
car back and "re-do the entire service, including the transmission filter".
I'm not sure I want to let them touch the car again! I'm also wondering what
damage to the transmission occured as a result of 900 miles on half the ATF.

 

You paid $1528.00 for this service? This seems outrageous.

(Rest deleted)

 

yep....i would have a "sit down" w/the manager and
tell him/her you are filing complaints w/the different
agencies that would give a %$#^....oh yea, and go to the
papers, media, and internet groups...make sure you have
names and titles, so we all can learn from your expierence...

thew owe you some $$...probabally all of your $ spent...$1,500...
i would demand a full refund & assurance that the next time you bring in your
volvo for service, it will be done right.....man, that would
sure piss me off....

 

Yep. $1528 for this "service" oh, they also found a bad engine mount and
replaced it - included in the price.

One Item on the bill was very funny:

4 "Screw" $8.07ea - sort of re-defines the word, doesn't it.

as far as names, etc: VOLVO of STAMFORD, CT. Tech #393, Service rep Ed and
Service Mgr Mike... (203) 359-2255.

Maybe I should have learned my lesson when after the 30K service I drove
less than 2 miles to get the coolant low signal and find the overflow tank
empty - came back to the shop to be told "oh there must have been an air
bubble in there, we'll fill it right up..."

 

Send a complaint to Volvo Motorcars Headoffice, Goteborg , Sweden they will
listen !.

Robert
www.veldkamp.org

 

I don't like to defend Volvo dealers, because there's way too much of
what you reported in your original post, but filling the cooling system
is a real pain on these cars. On my x70s, they take more than a litre
of extra coolant after a few heat/cool cycles.

As far as the original post, the only thing there that was OK was the
first part of the transmission fluid change. When you drop the pan, you
don't get all the fluid out. So even though the transmission may hold
7.9 quarts, they wouldn't get it all out. If the fluid is in poor shape
you need to do a flush, which would take considerably more than the 7.9
quarts. You can see details of a flush at:
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/Transflush.htm You can do this
without that fancy machine. This, of course, doesn't excuse them not
refilling the transmission properly which does not suffer from the same
refilling problems as the cooling system.

 

Welcome to Stanford Volvo
had a similar story with my 740 5 years ago. Learned my lesson found a
honest local guy.
mm

 

Mike, I agree with what you say about the cooling system. I noticed mine
had a significant "burp" when I changed my coolant a year ago. I think I
had to add more than a quart after the first stop.

The dealer obviously didn't even do a test drive or "QA" their work. That
is a pretty bad messup for a 90k mile service! I know if I lived there, I
would never bring my car there for any work. Parts... maybe.

That is also why I do as much of my own work as possible, and get on groups
like this to exchange information on these cars

 

That's why anyone who works on any of the transverse engines regularly
buys one of the air driven evacuators that pull ~25 inches of vacuum on
the cooling system and allows refill without air bubbles. No air, no air
pockets, no bubbles. Absolutely the best service tool ever.

Ditto.

Bob

 

"volvowrench

Very interesting, I've never heard of such a thing.

 

ATF.

I have just had a 90k service completed on my 1995 850 by a Volvo dealer,
the cost was £330 ($570 - wow good exchange rate, must buy some $ !!!!) this
included a thermostat change and top engine mount change.