D4 2.0 possible cracked block

[rickb2411]

recently had my car in for the EGR cooler cleaning out as was recommended by my local garage, on picking the car up I noticed there was a gurgling noise (coolant) I could hear when I stopped a lights or a junction. I presumed this was air and would force its way out through the expansion tank. days later I pulled out of the drive and the car lost power and had white smoke from the exhaust. the guy from the garage came out and has said I now need another engine as he thinks the block is cracked, obviously not admitting to anything he's done but to me its too much of a coincidence as never having any issues before the garage visit. could it just be the cooler failing? or is it more likely to be head gasket or cracked block? or have I just been unlucky as the car has covered 150k miles. I believe it has something to do with something the garage has done but obviously cant prove anything.
also would you have to take the inlet manifold off to clean the cooler, as I noticed he`d taken it off when I called in to see if the car was ready.

[john.wigley]

He thinks that the block is cracked ... what led him to that conclusion?

Cracked blocks are (thankfully) quite rare and are usually caused through frost damage due to little or no antifreeze.

The symptoms that you describe are much more likely to be due to HG failure in my view. I'd check for that first in the usual way before worrying about the block. If it is the block, I'd look for a good secondhand engine as a replacement, since block repairs can be difficult and may not always be successful.

Regards, John.

[Lancee]

Did the garage drain the water to clean the EGR cooler? If so, did they put any water back in or top up correctly ??!!

[johnnyoro]

The white smoke suggests that water is indeed getting into the engine , however to clean the egr valve the unit has to be split and then resealed I would be suspecting the join between cooler and egr valve is leaking and allowing water to get into the egr valve and then it's getting drawn into the engine .

[rickb2411]

that's all the information I can give at the moment, I have it booked in at another Volvo specialist but that's not for another 2 weeks. hopeful not an engine replacement.

[rickb2411]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

He thinks that the block is cracked ... what led him to that conclusion?

Cracked blocks are (thankfully) quite rare and are usually caused through frost damage due to little or no antifreeze.

The symptoms that you describe are much more likely to be due to HG failure in my view. I'd check for that first in the usual way before worrying about the block. If it is the block, I'd look for a good secondhand engine as a replacement, since block repairs can be difficult and may not always be successful.

Regards, John.

I can only presume from the amount of water coming out of the exhaust. he said there was a possibility it could be the HG.

[Simeon90]

Have you got any further diagnosis on this? You haven't got it with the 'specialist' in Brighouse have you? The guys a crook

[rickb2411]

Originally Posted by Simeon90

Have you got any further diagnosis on this? You haven't got it with the 'specialist' in Brighouse have you? The guys a crook

No I haven't, I was thinking of getting it to the Bradford specialist but can't get it in until next week.im not sure what to do with it, cut my loss and sell as a none runner or throw money at it again. Any yes, it was the Brighouse Volvo "Specialist". I'd be interested to know of any other people with cars that went in then died soon after.

[Simeon90]

Which is the Specialist in Bradford? I've had mine in with Claytons in Pudsey, who are ok.

My issues with the Brighouse lot related to XC90 handbrake issues, he was trying to rip me off so I just cut my losses, took it away and went somewhere else.

[Simeon90]

Originally Posted by rickb2411

No I haven't, I was thinking of getting it to the Bradford specialist but can't get it in until next week.im not sure what to do with it, cut my loss and sell as a none runner or throw money at it again.

I wouldn't get rid of it until you know for sure, as said it's far more likely that they've not sealed the EGR properly. If you get another garage to confirm that you can go back to Brighouse and ask them to pay for repair since definitely their fault .. or more likely pay to repair it and then drag them through small claims court.