Very Excesssive Smoke

[paultyler1]

It's been quite a while since I posted an update on this sorry saga but it's still not resolved.

My insurance company expert ascertained that the cause of both failures was the head gasket failure which caused coolant to enter the oil, weakening it's efficiency and causing the turbo bearing to run. This diagnosis was backed up by an oil test. The garage disputed this and maintain that the piston rings have failed. The insurance company showed the result of a compression test which gives the compression as 25bar. I gather normal is anything between 20 and 30 bar. I had reported to the garage, in the first instance, that the engine was using coolant but the garage did nothing about that. It is noted on the job sheet that I had reported the coolant use.

I also have statements from Volvo UK and Garett Turbochargers stating what they would have done before replacing the turbo. The French garage did none of the checks outlined.

The oil test also showed bearing material in the oil so the engine has been damaged further. The total cost to repair the damage is now over 12k€.

The French Volvo garages response was to offer me 7k€ but they wanted the car. Their offer doesn't even cover the original repair cost let alone my out of pocket expenses. They would probably sell the car for parts thus getting some of their money back. At the time of the original failure similar XC90's here were on sale for 18k€

I am now going to court and the first hearing is on the 2 February. It won't be resolved for, at least, 6 months.

Volvo customer services France and Volvo Corporate have been absolutely usless and have offered no help. I know I would get no financial help from them but thought they might be able to bring some pressure on the garage. The garage has not informed their insurance company of my claim which my barrister considers unheard of!

[paultyler1]

I was, of course, optimistic when I stated in my last post (February) that the case wouldn't be resolved for at least 6 months.

The case went to court in February and, the court then appointed another expert (apparently my insurance company expert was not sufficient). It took until the 25 April for this expert to hold a meeting. At this meeting she requested that the engine be removed for examination at a future meeting. This will not take place until the 26 September. Fortunately, my insurance company has paid most of my expenses up to this time. However, although they will pay for the engine to be removed and examined they won't pay for the engine to be re-fitted. Therefore, effectively, the actions of the court will render the vehicle useless unless I pay for this myself.

This is all to ascertain if the failure was due to the cylinder head gasket failing and causing extra damage to the engine.

So the case has now escalated from me only wanting Volvo to honour their obligations and replace a defective turbo to one where the car will, effectively, be written off.

[paultyler1]

Further update on this (still not resolved) problem.

The engine has been completely stripped down and the fault proved to be the head gasket failure. Negligible wear on the bores and piston rings but wear on the bearings caused by the oil contamination.

Volvo refuse to accept the findings, Volvo customer care (UK and France) is a complete joke.

I have always accepted that I should pay to have the head gasket replaced as that was part of the original fault. However, the garage has said that this would likely to have cost about 5100€ (about £4400). They have included in this price 5 injectors, water pump and thermostat. Is it reasonable to include these?

Is there anyone out there who has had the head gasket replaced by a garage and at what cost?

[john langrick]

Hi, my head gasket failed on a car 10 years older than yours.

I did try to get the gasket replaced but garage said head was cracked.

I simply purchased a complete engine from a breaker and had the whole engine replaced.

I would guarantee you can purchase same m/y engine for for car at a reasonable cost (not sure about France, but suspect same is true).

You will need ancillaries, but you should be able to guarantee the engine would be ok.

You already indicate damage to engine bearings are suspected. Just change the whole thing.

That would be my option in your position.

Hope this helps

[paultyler1]

The car will be written off by the insurance company. I am trying to get a settlement figure. The garage is saying their estimate has to be deducted from the settlement figure. My argument is that if they had done the job properly in the first place all I would have had to pay was the cost of the head gasket replacement (plus the turbo etc cost). The subsequent damage to the bearings etc wouldn't have occurred. That's why I need to know the approximate cost that a dealer would charge. I've asked dealers in the UK but as it's Christmas the replies area bit slow.

[Harley Dave]

Head gasket replacement will normally require a leak check and head skim by a specialist company.

I had that done on an old VW camper (T4) which coincidentally is a 5-cylinder engine too.

It was a few years ago, and I can't remember the exact cost (from a local indie, not a main dealer) but I feel it was around £1500

Cheers

Dave