Dear All,

I need help urgently. Any comments and opinion will be greatly appreciated. I owned a 1991 Volvo 940 GLE, 16-Valve DOHC that has done approximately 265,000 km.

Recently, I sent my car to a workshop to get my leaking power steering pump replaced. After checking the car, they also recommended that all the belts be changed, together with power steering tank hose and power steering return hose. The parts were changed as recommended.

The following were also done:
1. Flushing Automatic Transmission and replacing with
4-litre Duckhams ATF oil.
2. Flushing the radiator and add Volvo coolant.
3. Lubricate front suspension.
4. Adjust hand brake.
5. Car wash including engine and vacuum
6. Service inspection.

2 days later the car stalled and had to be towed to the same workshop. The problem indicated by the workshop was the timing belt. It snapped!

The following were done/changed/replaced, according to the bill:
1. Top engine overhaul.
2. Replace valve guide.
3. Skim cylinder head.
4. cut valve seat.
5. Lubricate front suspension.
6. Check timing belt.
7. Car wash including engine and vacuum.
8. Service inspection.
9. Timing belt 16V
10. Half Shaft belt
11. Camshaft key
12. Valve guide
13. Inlet valve- TRW
14. Exhause valve- TRW
15. Top Gasket set 16V
16. Thermostat housing
17. Oil filter
18. Oil sump washer
19. Oil cap rubber
20. Spark plug kit FI
21. Synthetic engine oil 4-litre
22. Expansion plug 40.5mm
23. Water pump seal
24. Water plug 15mm
25. Volvo coolant
26. Camshaft key
27. Impulse sensor

I collected the car 10 days later, in the evening. The very next day, morning, the car could not start. Again, the car was towed to the workshop.

This time round I was told by the same workshop that it was a wiring problem and it had been rectified. The timing was also adjusted. On completion, an additional day was given to them for further checks, so that the said starting problem is solved once and for all. The car was in the workshop for 2 days. When I took my car I was given the assurance the problem will not re-occur. I was also told that the car battery was weak.

The following was done according to the bill:
1. Check engine- cannot start.
2. Check water leaking.
3. Water pump plug.
4. Water pump washer.
5. Rubber stopper.

3 days after using the car, the engine stopped, in the morning, after traveling a distance of about 150 metres. I could not get it started, so again, I towed the car back to the workshop where it has remained since 24th June 2003.

I was told they believe the problem to be the computer/control box.

During my few visits to the workshop, I have seen different people handling my
car. When checking on the parts, wires were mishandled and the computer/control box was pulled from the car roughly.

What could be the problem with the car? And what causes the problem? I live in a tropical country and I had no problem starting my car in the morning, afternoon,evening or night. I do my regular maintenance and use only synthetic Mobil 1 oil.

Regards,

Jit