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Looking for 2nd opinion on huge repair estimate S70 1998

posted by  3rdvolvo on  Sun Dec 21 19:02 CST 2003
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Hello - I have almost 76,000 mi on my 98 s70. For the last month or so I've been hearing a noise almost like a shop-vac in the front. It starts when I first start up the engine, & stops after I've gone a couple blocks. I had my neighborhood garage check it & winterize the car. They said they couldn't find any error codes & suggested I take it in to the dealership. I used to like the dealership, but their service has gone downhill, & I hate the way they jerk me around.
Last week I had a new problem - sluggish acceleration (intermittent) - so I went in to the dealership. For $58 here's what they told me:
1) My fuel pump is going out & should be replaced @$665.
2) I am overdue on replacing timing belt, the car could blow up an any moment. The belt costs over $600, but if it breaks, the engine repair is "well over $3000."
3) They heard the "shop-vac" noise, don't know what it is, don't think it's anything to worry about.
Sooo... Do I really need $1300 work done? I bought the car with 61,000 miles, it's been running fine. I didn't get the maintenance schedule with the car. Always followed it with my previous Volvos, but the dealership has done shoddy work lately, failed to honor appointments, & left me stranded, all for the highest prices in town. I don't trust them. I do trust the local garage, & I'd be more than willing to pay them the same price Volvo is asking for the work if that's what I need.
I'm thinking about having the belt replaced by the local garage & keeping an eye on the fuel pump situation. That still leaves the mystery noise undiagnosed.
Any opinions/ideas?
Thanks a lot!








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    Looking for 2nd opinion on huge repair estimate S70 1998

    posted by  mbsl98 on  Mon Dec 22 01:12 CST 2003
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    last visit: Sat Feb 2 12:35 CST 2008
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    I'll second the opinion on the shop-vac sound being the air pump. We had the same thing for a year or so (I thought it wasn't anything to worry about) but in the end, the repair cost quite a bit more because the pump had killed the relay and a couple of other things that would have been OK if I had the pump replaced sooner. In the end, the check engine light stays opn because the fuel mixture is not getting adjusted properly. Total repair was $640 at a specialty Volvo shop in Boston (non-dealer), done at 72k on our '98 V70XC. My guy said that there is a seal that fails and allows moisture to get into the pump and rust it on inside - if seal stays good, apparently pump goes lots longer.

    Timing belt is an absolute requirement, but shouldn't cost nearly that much just for belt. It is a 70k replacement cycle, and it is only a fabric/rubber belt so it does wear and fail catastrophically. My shop does it for about $280. Our '98 also got a water pump when the belt was done at 70k, since it was just starting to show some seepage. Pump replacement labor is pretty much teh same as the timing belt so it is cost effective to do both if there is any question of a pump failure in the foreseeable future. (note that my '93 960 running the same water pump still has its original at 150k). Total bill for belt and water pump was just under $500.

    Fuel pumps can be tested for pressure and flow so it should be a clear diagnosis. However, I'd be inclined to repair teh air pump and then see if the "fuel" problem is still the same. This is because of the function of the air pump - ie: it adjusts the fuel air mixture. If it is messing up, it just might be causing the sporadic poor running.








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      Looking for 2nd opinion on huge repair estimate S70 1998

      posted by  3rdvolvo on  Mon Dec 22 03:12 CST 2003
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      Thanks a lot, that's very interesting.

      My neighborhood garage can look at it this afternoon, but they don't have time for any lengthy repairs because it's Christmas week & they're booked solid. They're going to check the fuel pump & try to put me on the schedule for whatever I really need. I'll definitely replace the timing belt. And I'll ask about the air pump - don't want to get a new fuel pump if it's not failing.

      It sounds like my local Volvo dealership charges above-average prices. It might be worth it if they still did above-average quality work. I understand the value of using Volvo specialists, but I want to take the best care of my car, preferably with the least hassle & at a fair price...

      I'll let you know what happens.







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        A suggestion S70 1998

        posted by  someone claiming to be trubey on  Tue Dec 23 19:12 CST 2003 [RELATED]

        If I may suggest...
        Ask the dealership to provide for you a service schedule. I believe there is one in your service handbook if one came with your car.

        The air pump is almost certainly your shop-vac. It is located near the center directly behind the radiator. You can't get a look at it with the drip pan installed. BTW an easy check for me of a shop's work is correct reassembly of that pan. If you hurry, it will lift up when pushed. If installed properly it is rigid to pressure. It will start sounding wounded within 5k miles if all goes according to the grand plan.

        Is your check engine light on?
        DT








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    Looking for 2nd opinion on huge repair estimate S70 1998

    posted by  someone claiming to be Frank on  Mon Dec 22 00:49 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    What exactly is wrong with your fuel pump? The shop-vac noise is probably your air pump going bad.
    Don't wait too much longer with the t-belt as they're right, if it breaks it'll cost you big $$$.








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    Looking for 2nd opinion on huge repair estimate S70 1998

    posted by  someone claiming to be brick freak on  Sun Dec 21 21:03 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    hi, ive checked in records my timing belt change cost me 150.00$ thats in canadian dollars and the gas pump is 195$ u.s at aplusparts.com (shipping included) you should check this out. By the way mine is a 1998 t5 just for the info. Dan.







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