Dealer says I have a seized engine, car cranks

**herbakis** · 10-23-2014, 03:58 PM

Hi, everyone first post. I have an 2006 xc90 2.5l with 198k miles. Back in May I had the timing done by the dealership. After $2200 all was well. So last week my check engine light comes on. Code p0016 cam position sensor. I replace the sensor, code still there. I clean my vvt solenoids installed new gaskets, code still there. Engine still runs. On my way to the dealership for them to check car stops running. Engine cranks just won't start back up. (Seem like no gas) Dealer investigates and says my engine is seized. I asked how did they come to this diagnosis. The mechanic look through the spark plug hole. Okay.

So after the service rep. talk with the mechanic to find out what really happened. The crankshaft has slipped. I understand that the this could damage the engine but would it be considered seized and non repairable

**hoonk** · 10-24-2014, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by herbakis

in May I had the timing done by the dealership. - last week Code p0016 cam position sensor -replace the sensor - I clean my vvt solenoids - code still there. Engine still runs. - On my way car stops running. Engine cranks just won't start back up. (Seem like no gas) Dealer investigates and says my engine is seized - The mechanic look through the spark plug hole.

The crankshaft has slipped and is non repairable

"Engine has seized"/"engine cranks but wont start back up" - A seized engine does not crank, so I think there is a problem with terminology.

What does "crankshaft has slipped" mean? Does the engine sound different when trying to start it - a higher pitched sound like it is spinning over faster when trying to start?

If so the crankshaft has not "slipped" but possibly one of the cam gears has. (or the timing belt came loose or off) If the cam timing changes, the pistons hit and bend the valves, engine stops running, and dealership/repair shop is left with an ethical decision - I imagine for $2200 the cam seals were included in the May "timing done by dealership". The cam gears are removed during that process - Is it possible they were not torqued tight enough and slipped? The crank gear for the cam belt is keyed (fixed in position) to the crankshaft. The timing gears are not in a fixed position on the camshafts (with variable timing).

When you had a cam position code - those can appear because the cam is not timed correctly - the cam pulley may have "slipped" slightly at that point.

It is possible a cam seized and caused all this - but have not seen that (in this engine) but if there was no/low oil pressure getting to the cams there would have been loud dry lifter noises, and a cam position code. Position codes occur sometimes just from low oil level. Did your engine burn oil like some do?

Bent valves are repairable, expensive at ~$2500 - but should that be done when an engine has ~200,000 miles?

**gstallons** · 10-26-2014, 05:45 PM

Exactly what type of dealership is your vehicle at ? You are surely not repeating what they are quoting as their diagnosis ? The only thing a mechanic can see through a spark plug hole is the cylinder bore , top of the piston , top of the head or foreign objects.... If the engine will rotate with the starter , the engine is not seized . BTW, crankshafts do not slip .....
Can you get a documented evaluation from this shop ?

**gstallons** · 12-16-2014, 03:02 AM

If what you are telling is true....you need to call Volvo Customer Service and try to get some type of resolution here . These terms , theories & explanations are absurd.

**Steve F** · 10-27-2014, 04:46 AM

herbakis, where are you posting from? Are you posting in English or through a translator of some sort? I agree with hoonk on there being some sort of terminology or translation issue. The only thing I can think of being close to a slipped crankshaft is a spun bearing, but you wouldn't see that through as spark plug hole.

**Wunderbar** · 12-10-2014, 05:43 AM

Sounds like after they replaced timing belt something left loose most likely tensioner.

**bugeye** · 12-16-2014, 03:14 PM

Agree with Forkster. I would want to see car, parts, with explanation by Service manager and dealership manager present. The stories are not consistent. I would not trust them to do the repairs. If the dealership cannot clearly identify the failure by the "failed cylinder and slipped crankshaft" (don't know what they mean) I would lay the failure squarely on them. We once had a Honda dealer try to pull a fast switch on us with a "new engine". But, another story.

**Ourobos** · 12-10-2014, 01:56 PM

I'd be all over the shop that did the timing belt work, sounds like they have caused the issue if they didn't torque everything down properly or replaced any worn components.

**herbakis** · 01-06-2015, 03:57 PM

Happy new years everyone,
Just left the dealership talking prices and some other things.
What do you think of this offer? A used 100k mile engine installed for $3200, 12mth 12k mile warranty. he also told me that if I had any parts that I could bring them up and the would place them on the engine while it was out. I believe at no charge! I was told to take the loaner home again and think on it call him tomorrow.
As I've stated early I drive 30 to 40k a year, will they throw in a 1 yr,30k labor warranty? or will I be asking for to much. I'm trying to be fair but after this long process of spending $2300 and getting a long run around of what caused my problem.( Seized engine, low compression making engine jump timing, crankshaft slipping, pulling off the head to check for bent valves) all this just to finally come to the fact that the crank pulley was worn. Dealer removed this pulley to replace crank seal; didn't notice the wear. I found this out last by the way. So $5500 in a matter of 7 months. So asking for a labor warranty is that to much?

**gstallons** · 01-06-2015, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by herbakis

Happy new years everyone,
Just left the dealership talking prices and some other things.
What do you think of this offer? A used 100k mile engine installed for $3200, 12mth 12k mile warranty. he also told me that if I had any parts that I could bring them up and the would place them on the engine while it was out. I believe at no charge! I was told to take the loaner home again and think on it call him tomorrow.
As I've stated early I drive 30 to 40k a year, will they throw in a 1 yr,30k labor warranty? or will I be asking for to much. I'm trying to be fair but after this long process of spending $2300 and getting a long run around of what caused my problem.( Seized engine, low compression making engine jump timing, crankshaft slipping, pulling off the head to check for bent valves) all this just to finally come to the fact that the crank pulley was worn. Dealer removed this pulley to replace crank seal; didn't notice the wear. I found this out last by the way. So $5500 in a matter of 7 months. So asking for a labor warranty is that to much?

You are getting hosed by some dumbf##k crooks that couldn't diagnose a blown light bulb .
As I stated earlier , contact Volvo customer Service !