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Cracked Block.

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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 12:30   #1
suke
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Default Cracked Block.

2014, D5, 63,000 miles. Fully serviced. On holiday in Spain when message suddenly appeared, Coolant Overheating Stop When Safe. Stopped immediately and realised it was serious, Phoned Volvo Assistance who came and took the car away. That was over 2 months ago. Car had to be repatriated as the local Volvo dealer could not do the job. Car has now been stripped and found to have a cracked block, Service Manager says otherwise the engine is perfect. We have been told that a new engine is needed at £10,400. We have argued that only a new block is needed and not an engine but to no avail. Volvo have finally made an offer but that is still leaving us to pay £5,770.00 plus £500 to diagnose the problem. When we bought the car 20 years of life and 200,000 miles were being suggested. We are feeling that we are being cheated as our engine has only done a quarter of what we expected it to do. Please, any comments on this as we feel quite helpless
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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 12:42   #2
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A sad tale indeed, I am sorry to hear it.

I guess any mechanical device can suffer a failure, like a hose or radiator. I feel the catastrophe would have been less serious if your warning had been earlier!
These days rebuilding engines seems beyond main dealers ken!

My 240 has a temp gauge that I'm used to and I would know all is not well but my V70 would have been simmering nicely ,no doubt , before it would let me know, no gauge!

I hope all is well in the future.

Andrew.
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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 12:54   #3
Sotosound
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You're obviously looking for options.

So, is the engine still in bits, and would there be additional charge for reassembly?

I just feel as though the dealer currently has you by the short and curlies.

Also, since Volvo has already offered a goodwill payment they are obviously admitting some kind of responsibility. I therefore wonder if there's a way to get that goodwill payment increased.

Finally, was there any indication as to the cause of the cracked block? It's not normal by any stretch of the imagination.

Last edited by Sotosound; Dec 16th, 2021 at 12:58.
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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 13:16   #4
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It is a pity that the engine has already been stripped, otherwise you could have tried one of the sealants sold for this purpose, at least as a temporary repair to buy a little time.

I take 'Moomoo's point about garages preferring to replace engines rather than repairing them, but there are still shops who will advise if a crack is repairable and, if so, attempt a repair - no guarantees, obviously, but if the prognosis is favourable, maybe worth a try?

Another option might be to replace with a known good used engine. You will still have to foot the not insignificant labour costs, as well as accept the risk factor inherent in fitting a used unit, but it may save you money overall.

I hope you reach a satisfactory solution - it's a rotten thing to happen, especially so close to Christmas. Hope it didn't spoil your holiday too much either.

Regards, John.
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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 14:46   #5
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Have you asked why the dealer says that a replacement block isn't possible?

It just doesn't sound sensible unless there are important things that they aren't telling you.
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Old Dec 16th, 2021, 15:58   #6
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The labour involved in a building a naked block will be quite weighty, and will still need a lot of new components such as seals, gaskets, rings, clips, bearings and shells etc. Thats still going to be fearfully expensive, and even then a rebuild of that magnitude needs a proper engine builder to do a really tight job, and not just a spanner jockey from a garage working to ICME bonus.

I'd try for a good used engine. Fitted and running is liable to be a lot cheaper than the £5700 you currently have to cough.

Best of luck.
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Old Dec 20th, 2021, 11:03   #7
suke
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Thanks for your replies. Volvo are insisting on a full engine and when we read of others with this same fault they do not seem to have an easy time of either a second hand engine or rebuilding with a new block. We have now written to Volvo Sweden to see if a better offer could be made.
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Old Dec 20th, 2021, 12:07   #8
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I had an XC60 D4 which developed a crack in block. Volvo fitted a 'short' block i.e. just replaced the part that was damaged and re-used the head etc. Are you sure there's no damage to other parts? In my experience the dealer/Volvo have been pretty sensible when it come to repairs, but I realise not all dealers are as helpful.
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Old Dec 20th, 2021, 13:10   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suke View Post
Service Manager says otherwise the engine is perfect. We have been told that a new engine is needed at £10,400. We have argued that only a new block is needed and not an engine but to no avail.
Volvo have finally made an offer but that is still leaving us to pay £5,770.00 plus £500 to diagnose the problem. When we bought the car 20 years of life and 200,000 miles were being suggested. We are feeling that we are being cheated as our engine has only done a quarter of what we expected it to do.
I would try to get clarity on why they are insisting a whole new engine is required, when "otherwise the engine is perfect". Is it beyond their capabilities ? Are they worried about warranty of the repair ? or something else. If you can get clarity on this, then you have a possible route around the issue, especially with Thorium now stating that this was possible with his.

Regarding being "cheated", Volvo give a 3 year warranty on their vehicles, they don't promise anything beyond this, (unless of course you take out further warranties) but I too would be upset at failing this early. It is of course fully expected to last beyond this, and their reputation would suffer if their vehicles failed regularly this early, hence why they are offering goodwill. I think you are also following the correct route in asking for more from them, as their opening offer can be a low one, and there are instances on here where goodwill has been raised with a bit of push, but I don't think they are under obligation.

My only caveat to the above, would be for you to investigate the sale of goods act, which requires goods being of satisfactory quality.
"The Sale of Goods Act offers protection against faulty goods even when the manufacturer's guarantee has run out. The act says goods must last a reasonable time...."

I don't know enough about it to say how this applies to cars, or your specific example, but certainly worth investigating further. Citizens advice might be an idea, or considering the sums you are talking about, a consultation with a suitable lawyer, with a reminder that aggressive legal posturing may reduce their goodwill if you are not actually entitled to the compensation.

Last edited by Rocinante; Dec 20th, 2021 at 13:14.
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Old Dec 21st, 2021, 12:43   #10
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The AA and RAC might also be able to offer useful advice.

And what about motoring magazines who ilke to publicise how they campaign on behalf of readers?
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