XC90 Oil leak advice

[mikespike]

Thanks. Will certainly raise a complaint. Unsurprising they are not registered with the motor ombudsman

[ergonomist]

Originally Posted by mikespike

Turned out to be 2 items 1. Rocker cover 2. Crankshaft Oil Seal.

The cost you've been quoted sounds about right, sadly - I had both of these (plus camshaft oil seal), although while still under Volvo warranty.

[rhd443]

Originally Posted by mikespike

Thanks. Will certainly raise a complaint. Unsurprising they are not registered with the motor ombudsman

Unfortunately these aftermarket warranties aren't worth the paper they are written on.

I have had one of these in the past, warranty wise, which was sponsored by Quinton Wilson at the time, they refused a claim when we found a water leak from the waterpump attached to the Cambelt.

They argued that the leak was there before we bought the vehicle (months prior to the leak starting as the coolant went down)

They did this from some photos, I have a mechanic friend who says they would only offer very low labour rates if I was successful on a claim, and they wouldn't pay for a new Cambelt to go back on, so they would have had us refit an older Cambelt to the car and only pay for the water pump and £30 labour rates to my garage mechanic.

He did the work for me, sent me an official invoice, I pushed warranty wise and complained, even asked Quinton Wilson to check the waterpump we have in our hands to prove to me that it had been leaking for months, and magically they paid up.

Still a cheap rate in the payment they sent, but they did pay up for the parts needed and I paid for the belt myself.

So to be honest, if you found a garage willing to be involved in a claim, go ahead, otherwise, just pay for it all to be done properly yourself and make a counter claim on them.

[mikespike]

I’m already at the latter stage. Had to authorise the repair myself today as they have point blanked refuse to cover.

Looking for someone who has been down the smalls claims route before.

[noodle1066]

Originally Posted by mikespike

Turned out to be 2 items 1. Rocker cover 2. Crankshaft Oil Seal. Both of these items are explicitly covered in their handbook but as suspected they will try and find any excuse to avoid paying out.
Since the issue was recorded on the MoT which was done at the same time, they are denying responsibility under the following terms

"No liability will be accepted for, faults found at the time of service or as a result of the vehicle failing its annual MOT."

Cost to repair is nearly 2K so I'm not going to let this go easily and intend to go to small claims. Anyone have any experience/suggestions with this please?

Had mine replaced in January (not via warranty). The items gasket and cam cover cap were identified on a service, parts plus est 4.5 hours labour.
Turns out the gasket replacement isn't just a gasket, it's a gasket kit.

Cost was as below
(Parts were -6%, Labour -10%, Volvo Owners Club Discount)

4 * 30624306 Six Point Socket S £4.25 ea
2 * 31303504 Fuel Pipe £40.40 ea
2 * 31303505 Fuel Pipe £40.40 ea
2 * 31405314 Fuel Pipe £40.40 ea
4 * 31405753 O-ring kit £8.80 ea
1 * 32213460 Valve Cover £165.50
1 * 31339725 Cover £19.20
1 * 31430547 Gasket £12.40
4 * 32325259 Retaining Clamp £26.00 ea

Total £958.22 + Labour £456.75 + VAT = £1,697.96

[mikespike]

I have just received their formal response which includes a refusal to pay since the issue related to the 'Rocker Cover' which is not a warranty item rather than the 'Rocker Assembly' which is a warranty item.

Further stating that it is normal for the 'Rocker cover' to become out of shape due to normal thermal cycling of an engine going from hot to cold over an extended period of time and is not a “sudden and unforeseen mechanical breakage” in any way.

Is this a load of codswallop or is their some truth to this please?

[mikespike]

anyone?

[rhd443]

Originally Posted by mikespike

I have just received their formal response which includes a refusal to pay since the issue related to the 'Rocker Cover' which is not a warranty item rather than the 'Rocker Assembly' which is a warranty item.

Further stating that it is normal for the 'Rocker cover' to become out of shape due to normal thermal cycling of an engine going from hot to cold over an extended period of time and is not a “sudden and unforeseen mechanical breakage” in any way.

Is this a load of codswallop or is their some truth to this please?

Back in the day the rocker covers were metal, now they are plastic and do change shape, but realistically this only happens if they have ever been taken off when warm/hot and refitted when it's gone cold. They are kept under a fair amount of tension and I've never had a plastic one leak.

I would give up on the chasing of the warranty myself. They wouldn't pay what was needed either, they'd have you refit an old gasket to a new cover or something stupid.