Electrics: Garage near Margate (Kent)?

[lillia]

Hi all, the car has not stalled once in the couple of weeks that I have been driving it (with my heart in my mouth and topping up the fuel once it dips below half full). Due to time constraints I have not been able to get anything done on it. However, I believe that I can now safely conclude that the problem was due to the fuel filter. The fuel efficiency has definitely dropped and occasionally there is a slight dip in power. I plan to change the engine oil at the same time (plus the oil filter and O ring, of course). Or rather, have this done, because I have not got the time. I have done an oil change by myself before, but I have never replaced a fuel filter, although everything I have read indicates that it is neither difficult nor time-consuming.

The thing is this: I have searched high and low and cannot confidently say that I have identified the correct part number for the fuel filter. The garage also seemed to think that there might be two fuel filters in this car. Would anyone happen to know what the part number for the 2002 S80 T6 is? I would like to go to the garage with my own parts, as I know that sometimes the part numbers differ between the ordinary S80 and the turbo version.

Thanks much.

[lillia]

Finally managed to break myself free from work and get the fuel filter (petrol), engine oil and oil filter replaced this morning (replaced O ring and sump plug gasket as well, of course). Sourced everything myself. Brought them to the garage to save myself time as I had only got just over an hour to spare. Had I realised that I could have reached and replaced the fuel filter without jacking up the car then I might have risked it. Perhaps next time.

What shocked me the most was hearing the mechanic who worked on the car tell me that the fuel filter that he removed was the original one that had been installed when it was manufactured, i.e., that the fuel filter had not ever been replaced. He explained about the tapes that are put on the filter by Volvo and said that those had still been in place when he went to remove the old one.

I've got a detailed service receipt from a service three years ago which specifies that the fuel filter had been replaced. And this from a reputable garage that I have used and trusted over the years! Stunned is not the word....

It pays to know your car and know where things are located. If I knew then what I know now then I could have checked myself way back when once I had got home and removed the work clothes. Anyway, today I looked under the car and checked that the filter I had brought in was the one that had been installed. The men standing there were amazed - apparently they had never seen a lady do that before!

Drove 40 miles today, no problems so far. Will keep monitoring to see whether the car still stalls or refuses to start when the petrol level starts approaching 1/4 tank.

Part numbers for those still searching (genuine Volvo parts - '02 S80 T6):
Fuel filter for petrol cars - 30817997
Oil filter with O ring - 1275810
Sump plug gasket (washer) - 977751

Oil used: Mobil Super 3000 X1 5W-40.

Oil purchased from Opie Oils. Other parts from Volvo Parts Shop. Saviours for the time-strapped professional: super-fast delivery in both cases!