D5 PowerPulse pipe bursting

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by BiggyG

So I had mine replaced about 3 months ago when going in for brake pads at around 26k they noticed it had gone. They replaced a few weeks later.

About a month ago I was sat in traffic on a village high street and heard an almighty bang. Got out of my car and walked around to see anything obvious but couldn’t see anything. I figured it might have been an old van passing backfiring.

I was browsing this forum a few weeks ago and read about the massive bang. Car went in for service yesterday (3 years) and the pipe had burst at the crimping between the two wheels. Hose replaced again.

I asked if the new pipe had any kind of extended warranty with it as the car warranty will expire next week. I refuse to pay for extended warranties - they are a scam, and this is a known existing issue. Was told that they don’t know, would be down to Volvo goodwill. I’ll be keeping a close eye and no way am I spending a single penny on powerpulse hose replacements.

I am with you 100% on this. It is a known design issue. Poor material choice that they should rectify once and for all with an improved part. A much higher pressure-rated pipe.
Same goes for the manifold issue which they have indeed owned. It may take some time to resolve but at least they have owned it.

You would think that it would not be rocket science to specify a more heavy duty air hose that would last until these cars are eventually scrapped. Up until now it seems to be beyond Volvo engineers and their supplier to do so for some reason. I've no doubt they will get there eventually but they might need to spend a fiver more per pipe to get a lifetime service one. Should be cheaper than paying their dealers to fit crap ones for years to come, surely?

"Goodwill" No! They have a duty to back up their products in this regard.

[Wizzpop]

My daughter's partener has had 4 replacements. It's just gone again, with only a few months left on the 3 year warranty. The dealer has been very good, and advised writing to Volvo Customer Services. Their initial reply was to the effect the dealer is sorting it and recommended extended warranty so future failures would be covered. He replied to say that wasn't acceptable, and, unless they either offer a lifetime warranty or come up with another acceptable solution, he may refer them to Trading Standards as the product is not fit for purpose.

[Hartlepool Mariner]

I am on my fourth hose after 45,000 miles, though none of the hoses have failed with a "bang", which would suggest excessive pressure.

The Volvo dealer has also identified a crack in the power pulse release valve which is connected to the exhaust manifold. This was the source of exhaust fumes getting into the cabin, especially when stationary.

This suggests that there are problems with the pressure control system not stopping the compressor at the right pressure and the pressure keeps increasing until it finds the weakest point - such as a rubber hose.

I don't know what mechanical over pressure protection is fitted to the compressor, if any. If it relies solely on pressure switches for over pressure protection this contravenes best practice in the compressed air industry. I will be discussing this with Volvo tomorrow.

I am going to ask for all the components in the power pulse system to be replaced just be be confident that nothing else is damaged.

The next stage will be discussing some form of compensation for all the aggravation, lost time, lost use of car etc etc I (along with many others) have suffered.

[Giles1234]

One of my hoses popped yesterday. I can't get my car to the dealer until next week as I am busy working and I need the car to get about. Is it safe to driver the car? Presumably the compressor will run and run until it thermal trips and some exhaust gas will blow out the hole left where the pipe should be.

[Hartlepool Mariner]

Originally Posted by Giles1234

One of my hoses popped yesterday. I can't get my car to the dealer until next week as I am busy working and I need the car to get about. Is it safe to driver the car? Presumably the compressor will run and run until it thermal trips and some exhaust gas will blow out the hole left where the pipe should be.

I have got so use to driving the car with a failed powerpulse hose such that it feels normal.

There is a slight lag when accelerating hard out of a junction or a roundabout, apart form that I have had no problems

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Giles1234

One of my hoses popped yesterday. Is it safe to driver the car? Presumably the compressor will run and run until it thermal trips and some exhaust gas will blow out the hole left where the pipe should be.

It's safe to drive. The system will eventually disable the pump.

[AndrewsXC90]

Ok, so my first pipe split or degraded, no drama just a bit sluggish when pulling away. According to my wife bloody dangerous, in her defence a big car trying to nip into small London gaps.
This was replaced under manufacturing warranty. Now in extended warranty period. Not covered under that or parts warranty!!!
The second went last week with a far greater sense of drama. My first reaction was I had blown a tyre as it consisted of a loud bang followed by a hissssss.
The pipe and compression clip detached as a complete peace.

Whilst I don’t fully understand the mechanics of the system I am a little surprised it happened when I was off the throttle.

[Driver Dave]

As these PP pipes seem so fragile Volvo should be replacing them FOC, it's a known fault, it's not good enough to say that if it fails after three years owners are going to have to pay!

[AndrewsXC90]

Originally Posted by wizzpop

my daughter's partener has had 4 replacements. It's just gone again, with only a few months left on the 3 year warranty. The dealer has been very good, and advised writing to volvo customer services. Their initial reply was to the effect the dealer is sorting it and recommended extended warranty so future failures would be covered. He replied to say that wasn't acceptable, and, unless they either offer a lifetime warranty or come up with another acceptable solution, he may refer them to trading standards as the product is not fit for purpose.

volvo extended warranty does not cover pipes as i just found out

[deepsix]

3rd hose blew on mine only 1500 miles after previous repair. Total mileage at 3rd burst =20,400.