For this kind of major surgery, I would recommend a second opinion.
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Shoyer <Steve@shoyer.com>
To: 'mgs@autox.team.net' <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 10:03 PM
Subject: non-LBC (Volvo) question: Why does a bad thermostat = new engine?
>After spending a couple of years working on my 1980 MGB, I thought I had
>picked up a little knowledge about engines. However, we have a 1997 Volvo
>850 GLT sedan. Every once in a while, the "low coolant" light would go on,
>so I'd top it off (with the "special" Volvo coolant, of course). It
started
>happening more frequently, and when we took the car in with 49,500 miles
(it
>has a 50K warranty), we had them take a look at it. They said a hose was
>loose, tightened a clamp, topped off the coolant, and told up it was fixed.
>Soon after, the coolant light was back on, and the "Check Engine" light was
>going on, too. The only other symptom was that the car would run pretty
>rough after a cold start, but it would be OK after a minute or two.
Anyway,
>they said replaced the upper radiator hose and thermostat, and checked the
>head gasket for leaks. For the "check engine" light and rough running,
they
>found gas washed cylinders which they cleaned, and they replaced the spark
>plugs, oil, and filter.
>
>A few weeks later the "low coolant" light was back, as was the "check
>engine" light. The coolant leak was becoming more pronounced. We took the
>car back, and it's been at the shop for almost two weeks while they ran
more
>compression tests and waited for the Volvo regional service person to get
>back to them about something. Today we got a message that they recommend
>that the engine should be replaced, which should cost about $6500. It's
out
>of warranty, but Volvo is willing to pick up $4500 of the cost, leaving us
>to pay $2000. From what I've picked up from my wife's translation of what
>the service person told her, the bad thermostat caused a crack in the head.
>They said that we could try to just replace the head gasket for about
$1000,
>but only if we were about to trade the car in.
>
>The car never overheated, and the temp gauge never showed that the engine
>was getting hot. I still don't understand why there should be any
>interaction between the cooling system and the "check engine" light (which,
>according to the owner's manual, relates to the emissions system). I don't
>know how a bad thermostat could crack the head, especially without any
>external signs other than a low coolant level.
>
>We like the car, so we'll probably get it fixed, but can anyone tell me why
>this might have happened? Is it something we should have to pay for, and
if
>not, what would be our argument for getting the dealer to pick up the whole
>cost? I'm not trying to weasel out of paying if it is my responsibility,
>but the car was in a few times for the same problem, and each time the
>dealer said that they had fixed it. The $2000 would be better spent fixing
>my rusted sills (although my wife might not agree).
>
>Sorry for the use of the bandwidth, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd
>like to know. Thanks.
>
>--Steve Shoyer (1980 MGB)
>
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