Okay, so I'm new to Volvo's, but I've driven a couple, and they seem like nice solid cars. And of course I've heard a lot of good stories. So I bought one. It's a 1995 850 GLT wagon with 88k miles. Very nice car, except the engine rattles. I had a warranty, so I took it back and asked them to fix it. The car had what sounded like severe lifter noise at a level cruise around 60-65 mph. It also rattled loudly under full throttle. I didn't drive the car too hard when I test drove it (Mistake!) and never had it over about 50 mph.

They came back after two hours and said that they were going to have to pull the oil pan and check things out. Then they said "Oh, by the way, the car had a new rod and some work done to the engine before we offered it for sale!" I'm like, "this doesn't sound like a car I want to keep." They're willing to apply the purchase price to another car on their lot, but I'm on the hook for that much.

My question is: What would cause an engine to need a new rod at only 88k miles? The car is in beautiful shape overall, and I know that it was routinely serviced at the local dealer. Does this happen to the 5-cylinder engines on a regular basis, or is this unusual? I really don't want to keep this car if I'm going to have to put a new engine in it, but I don't want to drive a Subaru either.

Sorry for the lengthy post, and thanks for any help you can offer.

I would have the car fixed if the rest of it is in good shape. Take it to a car mechanic you trust, Volvo indy or a dealer and get it inspected. If the dealeship you bought the car from doesn't service Volvos on regular basis you may not get the best service or advice from them.
It could it be a timing belt failure that would require major engine work. OTH I had exhaust pipe rattling that sounded like engine trouble.
Good luck

A new rod at 88Kis very unusual. These cars have ideosyncracies, but they're durable. And the engine should easily clear 300K miles as long as routine maintenance protocols such as regular oil changes, etc, are observed.

As to the rattle, is it in the head or the lower engine? Also make sure the exhaust parts are original Volvo, installed properly, with none of the tubing or shielding in contact with the frame.

Does he have another 850 on the lot? A changed rod is a repair made under catastrophic conditions. I'd recommend you take it back. This car will be trouble.
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David
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No other Volvos on the lot. They are a Saturn dealership. I originally thought the noise was coming from the head, but when I listened to it with a screwdriver to my ear and revved it, I wasn't sure. Based on the service guy's statements, I'd say it's coming from the bottom end.

What about oil pump, oil system failures in these cars? I've heard that a certain o-ring can go bad. I'm guessing this may have caused the trouble.

I agree with your statement that this car will be trouble. It's a real shame, because the rest of the car is very nice and it fits our needs exactly. I think I'm stuck with the Subaru Outback. At least they have a good reputation for reliability.

Sounds like trouble to me. Get rid of the car. The prior owner must have abused the car and the dealer is trying to cover it by fixing it and then unloading it.

Besides if it is a Saturn dealership, who would trade in a Volvo for a Saturn?

I would be pissed off at the dealer for doing this to me. Have you passed the three day right to rescind in your contract?


Rick in Denver

Yup. Past the three days. They have a 30-day "satisfaction guarantee" that will allow me to apply the money spent on the Volvo toward another car on their lot. That looks like my only hope to ditch the car without getting totally screwed on the deal.

The guy at the dealership I talked to said the car was his sister-in-law's and they traded it on a Chevy Suburban. I also checked with the local dealer and it had been there regularly for scheduled service. It all looked pretty good. Not sure what happened to the car.

You might want to find out who the mechanic was that serviced the engine and put the rod into it. Maybe he/she can give you an indication of the engine's true condition given that he/she got to see it completely dismantled. It may end up being that the car still might be worth having if the mechanic gives it a green light. They can also tell you what it was serviced for.

If it was simply a fluke that the rod bent--which means to me that someone was possibly overrevving the engine while it was pinging, such as trying to climb a major hill and not knowing that pinging could kill your engine by blowing a rod. There are a lot of people that know absolutely nothing about cars.

You may also want to keep in the back of your mind "The ole bait and switch tactic". They get you interested in something, but either don't have any to give you or it is a piece of crap, and then say "We have these other items we could look at?" That is when you call the Attorney General or District Attorney and file a lawsuit.

Rick