Hello, I wonder if any of you knowledgeable people can help?
My car (57 plate Volvo S80 D5 Auto) is being serviced today, and I have been called by the garage to say the coolant is weak. Not low, just weak. They offered to drain and replace the coolant to the correct strength, for the sum of £40 (which in the scheme of the servicing costs by Volvo, seems OK).
Now what doesn't appear OK is that a two year old car should have weak coolant. I can't think it would have degraded from new in only two years.
It therefore seems to me that there are 3 scenarios:
1. The strength of the coolant was incorrect when filled at the factory
2. It was topped up with water, weakening the mix by the previous owner (who were the Volvo dealership)
3. It was topped up with water by me, during my ownership.
Now I can discount 3, as I know I haven't done that. I therefore feel that the cost of the replacement should be borne by the dealer, as they sold me the car. I shall be discussing that with them when I collect it (although not busting a gut over it, as it is only £40 - but that £40 is better in my pocket than theirs).
Before I ask them to take off this cost from my bill, can anyone think of a reason that the coolant level would be weak, that may mean I have to wear the additional cost myself??
Thank you in anticipation.
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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Presumably they got you last year for the brake fluid ?
It usually goes year two brake fluid, year three coolant (50/50 mix), year four brake fluid etc...very rare for a five cylinder Volvo to have headgasket problems.
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This one is the two year service. Tail end of November 07 car first registered. Volvo dealership did the service 11 months ago, at the time of purchase, when it had covered 12,500 miles. They effectively missed the one year service interval, but the car is Volvo Approved, so I get 24 months/40,000 miles warranty from purchase, so I wasn't fussed.
I have had the car for 11 months, and this is it's second service (first in my care, after 18,000 miles since I've owned it).
Still can't quite get over the cost of Volvo servicing - I knew it was more expensive, but it does seem quite ridiculously so!
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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Still can't quite get over the cost of Volvo servicing - I knew it was more expensive but it does seem quite ridiculously so!
You wouldn't mind if you were getting quality. I've got an S60 D5 bought at two years and 25k miles. 36k mile service was 895? - service + front disks and pads, 48k mile service around the 900? mark - service + rear disks, pads and shoes.
I'm dreading the 60k as it has developed an oil leak around the nearside driveshaft which in all likelyhood will be the clutch slave cylinder about 70? + 8 hours labour to fit + belts, pulleys and tensioners + the service. While the gearbox is off they will probably recommend a new clutch and DMF kit.
Think I might buy a Ferrari next time to cut down on servicing costs.
Edited by gmac on 14/01/2010 at 14:16
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You wouldn't mind if you were getting quality.
I think this is my biggest (make that only) disappointment with my car.
Supremely comfortable (15 hours back from France in one hit and barely noticed I'd been sat down for so long), even economical for such a heavy, large engined beast (40mpg average - albeit mostly motorway/A roads, town driving does drop this quickly and considerably).
Absolutely love the car, and understand why people stay amazingly loyal to Volvo. I had decided that £350 per year to keep such a car on the road was a price worth paying, but these "extras" make this verging on unacceptable - especially when you open the bonnet and can play "spot the Ford part" and rack up a huge score every time.
The dealers seem to give Renault and Peugeot a run for their money!!
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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Almost certainly a scam - but testable.
Put an eggcupfull of coolant in your freezer - normal controlled temperature -18 deg C. Assess after 12 hours. Then borrow a freezer thermometer and leave set to "fast freeze" overnight. At this time of year, an outdoors freezer will usually hit -30 deg C without much of a struggle.
Judge the results for yourself.
A 50% glycol solution would still be liquid at this temperature, but a non-freeze at -18 deg C is safe for the UK.
659.
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I see. I shall ask them the strength it was at. Presumably they tested it, to be able to say it was weak.
Thank you both for your speedy responses.
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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I don't know about Volvos, but Toyota supply coolant ready mixed. I bought some so that we could get the coolant changed on our Avensis at our local garage.
So if the volvo coolant comes ready mixed, I don't understand how it could have become weak in two years, as it is usually 50/50. You could buy a coolant tester and test it yourself.
Once its out of warranty and you still want to keep the car, look for a good Volvo specialist, and save yourself money. I can't believe how much people have to pay at main dealers just for standard servicing.
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I can't believe how much people have to pay at main dealers just for standard servicing.
The above costs were mainly parts. My local Volvo dealer charges 59? an hour plus VAT.
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Sounds like they're trying it on.
I like the idea of asking them 'how weak'? It should be quantifiable.
If you're not happy with their answer, do the freezer test.
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UPDATE:
The Coolant had degraded to protection at -2C, according to their test. The 50:50 mix is good for down to -37C, according to the back of the packaging.
I have told them I am concerned that in 11 months (assuming they tested it at the first service - or 2+ years if not looked at since being filled at the factory) such dilution either shows they didn't put the correct mix in initially, or there is a serious problem.
They have suggested I pop in in about 500 miles time and they will test it again to see if there is an ongoing problem.
They tried to tell me the recommended change for coolant is also two years, but this was not mentioned this morning on dropping the car off. It was only the mechanic calling me for authorisation to change it because of the drop in protection that prompted the change. Sounds like a load of bull - but lying does seem a bit extreme to make £40.
Still love driving the car, however the ownership experience is leaving much to be desired. This is a prestige brand, charging prices to match. Shame the dealers can't live up to it.
I was ready to tear them off a strip anyway, because the courtesy car they supplied was well into the red light showing it needed fuel when I collected it. I don't regard that as a courtesy, and told them so. All of the issues I have had so far have been of the dealer's making. I am less than impressed with them.
Making me seriously consider whether Volvo gets my business when I buy my next car, which otherwise would certainly have been another Volvo.
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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I'm sorry to hear that you've had problems, but it sounds like you're having them with the dealer and not the car.
If the coolant had degraded to protection at -2C, I would have thought you would have serious problems with a cracked cylinder head etc. as we have had much lower than -2C over the past few weeks.
Its a good idea to change the coolant on any car every 2 years, not only to protect against freezing, but to stop corrosion of the waterways. Although some cars have a longlife coolant.
Can you not go somewhere else, or is it not convenient?
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There isn't another Volvo franchised dealer anywhere near. However as the servicing is approximately once a year, it could be combined with a day trip somewhere....
I am concerned about the -7C temperatures we have had here in the past couple of weeks. However it is logged as a problem with the dealer, and the coolant will be checked again in a few weeks to make sure nothing appears amiss there, but I am concerned that damage may already have been caused by freezing coolant. No issues when starting and running the car in those temperatures, but I remain concerned.
Posting, as always, in the hope that it helps.
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Don't be concerned or waste time speculating - just test it!
659.
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I was ready to tear them off a strip anyway, because the courtesy car they supplied was well into the red light showing it needed fuel when I collected it. I don't regard that as a courtesy, and told them so
you expect them to pay for your petrol as well? no wonder servicing costs so much money. Some people have a right cheek.
Edited by Webmaster on 15/01/2010 at 01:02
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I've looked at a Ford handbook this morning.
It says if you come into skin contact with coolant, wash with clean water and CONSULT A DOCTOR.
Blimey , what's in it, hydroflauric acid?
Edited by Webmaster on 15/01/2010 at 01:02
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Ethylene Glyocol can cause severe rash if you don't wash it off quickly. Will certainly kill you if you drink it!
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