My In-Laws (IL) are in quite a pickle with their pre owned '02 Volvo XC. I'd like any and all thoughts concerning this disaster. I've learned so much from the BB these last years I told MIL that I'd post the story here. I have an '96 850 so I have no experience with the XC.

XC was purchased from independent (not affiliated with volvo)volvo only dealer 2 months ago for $23K with 49K on the odo. At that time an extended warranty was purchased for $2300. Since the purchase XC was driven mostly around town and very short freeway trips. First road trip & XC makes it over a mountain pass to 160 miles and shows a low coolant warning light. FIL adds water and light goes off, gets more water jugs in the next town just in case and continues to final destination having to add water 4 more times in the 55 miles. Next day IL's call the dealer and explain, they were told "oh no problem, when the low coolant light comes on there is lots of coolant still left in the car. Just keep it topped up with water and we will look at when you return from your trip." XC wasn't driven for two days.

IL's ready to leave and return home. Morning trip to see friends (10 mi round trip) no warning lights no water loss. Afternoon trip MIL takes XC into town with friend to pick up something (30 mi round trip) all the time watching for coolant light. Upon return from town XC begins ticking at acceleration and then losing power especially on hills. Now MIL looks at temp gauge and sees the needle pointing to full hot. MIL pulls over just as XC dies. XC cant be restarted so it's loaded on a car trailer and pulled 200 miles home (thanks to friends with big trucks). Next day XC goes back to dealer for diagnosis and lo and behold the engine is ruined. Apparently it got so hot there is irreparable damage.
Now comes the fun part. Insurance company claims that XC was driven hot for too long and wont make good on any repairs, none. Dealer says that "black box" on XC says that it was driven at a very hot temp for an "considerable time". Insurance and dealer are not accepting any culpability in this mess. XC has been owned by IL's 2 months and driven less than 2,000 miles! I have my car repaired at this dealer and he's treated me very fairly on all accounts, I know the guy casually.

I'd love to hear any BBr's response to this story.
I'd especially like to hear about this "black box" that could tell how hot the car was for how long.

Scott