Hi,
I have a 1985 245ti that is now running in perfect condition! This is due to a great volvo repair shop. I swear they use magic on the cars. I have never ever found a repair shop that I trusted until now. A few weeks before I took my car to a different "Volvo repair shop" to fix a cooling problem. A week and $1200 later they didn't even fix it. They broke more than they fixed. I ended up fixing myself by replacing the fan clutch for $40. I was lied to and they had a non ASE certified mechanic do a head gasket on my car. They didn't even know the 240s had turbo models and they insisted I had a different than stock engine in the car. This made me loose all trust in repair shops. Then my neighbor with many volvos told me about another shop that he said did a great job. I didn't believe him becuase another friend told me that the other repair shop was the best in Albuquerque. I tried to make an appointment and The next open spot was three weeks away. When I got the car down there I noticed that the whole area was swamped with volvos. They seemed to have a lot of customers, and now I know why. They fixed my car in one day costing only $100. I had struggled with a starting problem for over a year and put up many posts on the brickboard. I had also spent a lot of money replacing random parts. I was shocked when they fixed it so quickly and cheaply. My car runs like it's NEW :) I'm so happy I have to share this joy with everyone on the brickboard.

Charles
1985 245ti 135K

P.S. If you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico Go to Independent Volvo Service becuase they are the best. Don't go to Jim's automotive becuase they screwed me!

Charles, great to hear the news. Alex has a great point by going to the BBB. You can at least warn people about this place.
--
Michael 'Street'... one AZ '85 244DL 188K miles

You may have seen my fuel pump threads- I'm getting screwed as well (by a shop in DC)

I think it is certainly worth taking the time to go through the Better Busisness Bureau and file a complaint. You may end up recovering some money, and just as importantly you could end up saving many other people some money.

The link is simply http://www.bbb.org/

The shop I went to is also an Exxon filling station (I know- should have been another warning sign), and I plan to contact Exxon as well.

You obviously had bad luck with those folks, but I wouldn't get too hung up on a mechanic being ASE certified.
I'm a certified mechanic, but in all honesty, I did all that before most of the cars currently on the road were even built ( about 20+ years ago ), and I've slept since then.

From what I remember about the certification process, if you can't pass it, you had better stay away from sharp objects and electric outlets. It doesn't exactly weed out the droolers.

I'm glad you found a shop that is doing the right thing and are letting folks know about them. I'm sure they are as happy about your being satisfied as you are about finally getting a fair shake.
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel

I was considered grandfather 20 years ago and did not need that testing...

I looked at what they had and would have failed.....

At this time I can only recall 1 question... It was ... "How many bolts hold the valve body in a Ford C-6 tranny?"

I dunno..... all of them? There was no theory, and no Euro car questions..

I have always wondered if the tests were ever valid after that.. Mac

Geez, I'm a non-ASE mechanic but I do a pretty mean head gasket job.

None of our customers ever asked that question. interesting. We had a ton of business too.
--
Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

Please tell us. What was the problem? What did they fix?

Steve