My V70, which is an R model with AWD, developed a fuel line leak at 40k miles. The local dealer tested the lines with nitrous gas under pressure and found leaks in both the return and supply lines and in the fuel pump, all of which he said appeared to be caused salt corrosion. The estimate they quoted to replace the lines and the pump was $1,700: 600 plus in parts and 14 hrs. @73. This car has been driven in a hilly part of upstate NY, where the roads are heavily salted, for 5 winters, and approx. 16 or 18k winter miles. I'd like to know if anyone has experienced or heard of a fuel line corroded by salt after so few miles. I'm also wondering if it is appropriate to ask Volvo to cover the cost of this repair even though the car is out of warranty. TIA for any information or ideas.

The following products can help prevent reoccurrence of your problem:

Corrosion X http://www.corrosionx.com/
LPS3 http://www.lpslabs.com/Products/CorrosionInh/Lps3.asp
Boeshield 29 http://boeshield.com/index.htm

I used to live in Montreal Canada where the road is heavily salted in winters, yet we have owned so many cars for more than 10 years but never heard about this.

I question Volvo quality after Ford took over a few years ago. I used to own a 1991 240 and that car was great in design etc.

I am not happy with the V70 but keep it as a daily driver.

Re: fuel leak. That is why in every spring, I thoroughly washed the undercar of evry car own with water for a good 10 minutes then spray exposed parts with some oil-grease mixture to prevent corrosion.

Re: Volvo warranty: This is a BIG safety item (like Airbag) and you can convince Volvo to eat up the cost. It will be bad publicity for them if your car is on fire.

BTW, did you get a second opinion? BTW what was the symptoms, what brougt you to the dealer to start with?

cn
1998 V70 43K miles

Thanks for the feedback. I took the car in because the leak was noticable under the tank area, this following months of rough cold starts because of loss of fuel pressure. I'm going to ask Volvo if they would cover this because a vital component like a fuel line should not corrode through after 40K mi.

begin like this then there will be a National Recall for cars like yours in the entire country.

Car mfg's do not like story on newspaper "Cars on fire etc."

Plus the Goverment can also run after them if this is the case involving safety.

cn

as a safety/fire hazard issue onto Volvo HARD.......then maybe they will fork over for the repair (those dirty dirty dogs)

Heard from the dealer today: the answer from Volvo is no. There was a safety element involved - even on a very gently sloping mall parking lot, the puddle of gas would extend out from the line of the car after only a few minutes. I have not pushed them on this though.

Heard from the dealer today: the answer from Volvo is no. There was a safety element involved - even on a very gently sloping mall parking lot, the puddle of gas would extend out from the line of the car after only a few minutes. I have not pushed them on this though.