C70: Advice re roof repair

[ttrgroup]

Hi,

This is my first post, so please be kind!

I have taken my new-ish baby (Volvo C70 D5) to a Volvo dealer because the roof hydraulics failed with the roof open.

They did say it was jammed and are now charging me for 12 hours labour their normal, i.e. inflated, rates just to close it, not to fix it - just to close it.

Is this normal? Is it something I should get used to if I keep the car?

Thank you for any help / advice

[john.wigley]

That does seem excessive to put it mildly! Although we have a V70, I've no experience with the convertible. However, we also have a Saab 9-3 'vert which I believe has a broadly similar operating system.

On that, in the event of an electronics or hydraulic failure, it is possible to close the roof manually in a matter of minutes. One person can manage this alone, although it is easier with two. The process is detailed in the car handbook. Does the C70 have a similar procedure for use in an emergency?

I would also seek a second opinion from an indie if you have one locally. 12 hours at £100 or more is ridiculous and suggests to me that they don't want the job. I'm sure someone with more specific product knowledge will be along shortly and able to offer more detailed advice.

Regards, John.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ttrgroup

Hi,

This is my first post, so please be kind!

I have taken my new-ish baby (Volvo C70 D5) to a Volvo dealer because the roof hydraulics failed with the roof open.

They did say it was jammed and are now charging me for 12 hours labour their normal, i.e. inflated, rates just to close it, not to fix it - just to close it.

Is this normal? Is it something I should get used to if I keep the car?

Thank you for any help / advice

No that is outrageous , and you should report them to Volvo customer services. As said above it is in the handbook how to manually close the roof. £1500 + vat for 15 mins work max ? ( assuming £130 and hour) I assume they haven't even read the fault codes then ? In my experience the problem would probably have a roof circuit switch problem and likely to be a broken wire in the moving roof wiring loom on the left side behind the seat backrest, It has never been the switch itself.
The training for these roofs was over 10 years ago now, so unlikely anyone knows what they are doing but It's their job to sort it with the literature they have. .

[ttrgroup]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

That does seem excessive to put it mildly! Although we have a V70, I've no experience with the convertible. However, we also have a Saab 9-3 'vert which I believe has a broadly similar operating system.

On that, in the event of an electronics or hydraulic failure, it is possible to close the roof manually in a matter of minutes. One person can manage this alone, although it is easier with two. The process is detailed in the car handbook. Does the C70 have a similar procedure for use in an emergency?

I would also seek a second opinion from an indie if you have one locally. 12 hours at £100 or more is ridiculous and suggests to me that they don't want the job. I'm sure someone with more specific product knowledge will be along shortly and able to offer more detailed advice.

Regards, John.

Thanks for your input John,

There is a similar thing with the C70, and it can be closed in under 4 minutes with three people (With one of them explaining as they go). The AA man did try this, but the roof was jammed somewhere, which is why I am now in this pickle.

I am going to try and get a breakdown of the time they have taken. Although they are quoting 4 hours for diagnosing that the hydraulic pump was duff! so, we shall see what the say!

I did go to a Volvo specialist first and they suggested I go to the dealership - I wish I was only paying £100 / hour, theirs is £150! I am not going to print here what I think of that - I don't want to get banned on my first post!!

Thanks again.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ttrgroup

Thanks for your input John,

There is a similar thing with the C70, and it can be closed in under 4 minutes with three people (With one of them explaining as they go). The AA man did try this, but the roof was jammed somewhere, which is why I am now in this pickle.

I am going to try and get a breakdown of the time they have taken. Although they are quoting 4 hours for diagnosing that the hydraulic pump was duff! so, we shall see what the say!

I did go to a Volvo specialist first and they suggested I go to the dealership - I wish I was only paying £100 / hour, theirs is £150! I am not going to print here what I think of that - I don't want to get banned on my first post!!

Thanks again.

The roof is "jammed" because you have not released the hydraulic return line allowing the fluid to flow back to the pump sump. Have you read the handbook on how to raise the roof manually?

[ttrgroup]

Originally Posted by Clan

No that is outrageous , and you should report them to Volvo customer services. As said above it is in the handbook how to manually close the roof. £1500 + vat for 15 mins work max ? ( assuming £130 and hour) I assume they haven't even read the fault codes then ? In my experience the problem would probably have a roof circuit switch problem and likely to be a broken wire in the moving roof wiring loom on the left side behind the seat backrest, It has never been the switch itself.
The training for these roofs was over 10 years ago now, so unlikely anyone knows what they are doing but It's their job to sort it with the literature they have. .

Thanks for the info Clan.

Just come off the phone to them - They were supposed to phone me 2 days ago, but nada. The roof is now up, but not properly latched - And they want me to pay £1550 to drive it away as it is, with the alarm pinging every 2 seconds. and yes, it is a very loud ping!

I am going to try and see a manager, Please - No jokes about being a Karen!, and see what he says. If I get no joy there, I will have to try and escalate.

Trouble is, I need the car, so I think I am going to have to pay this and then fight a retroactive campaign which is never a good thing.

Once again, thanks for the info and I will be looking for the contact details for Volvo Customer Services.

[ttrgroup]

Originally Posted by Clan

The roof is "jammed" because you have not released the hydraulic return line allowing the fluid to flow back to the pump sump. Have you read the handbook on how to raise the roof manually?

Hi Clan,

Yes, watched a very good video of the whole process by a company called Top hydraulics, not going to post the link here as I am not sure if it would be allowed - I had released the pressure using the release cable behind the back seat.

[ITSv40]

Join the Volvo C70 Mk2 Facebook group - make sure it is the Mk2 group, not Mk1 as they are completely different cars. There is a lot of good knowledge on there regarding the tin top convertible and freely given. There are two main reasons the roof jams: 1, lack of maintenance, especially lubrication of ALL the pivot points. 2, opening and closing the roof on uneven ground. If there is the slightest twist in the bodyshell the roof will jam. It needs to be on flat ground when opening and closing.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by ttrgroup

Thanks for the info Clan.

Just come off the phone to them - They were supposed to phone me 2 days ago, but nada. The roof is now up, but not properly latched - And they want me to pay £1550 to drive it away as it is, with the alarm pinging every 2 seconds. and yes, it is a very loud ping!

I am going to try and see a manager, Please - No jokes about being a Karen!, and see what he says. If I get no joy there, I will have to try and escalate.

Trouble is, I need the car, so I think I am going to have to pay this and then fight a retroactive campaign which is never a good thing.

Once again, thanks for the info and I will be looking for the contact details for Volvo Customer Services.

I would contact Volvo customer services first, presumably you signed to authorise the work as you left so you're on a sticky wicket from a legal point, so if you can arm yourself with what the standard process and book time is first....

I'd also ask to see the technicians time card - all dealers operate such a system - they don't have to share it with you but it would show how honest they're being....