Volvo Guy Giving Me the Runaround?

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Ok, so as you may remember, the automatic transmission in my Volvo (winter car) is toast. Found a "new" one from a friend, tranny has 90K on it.

Down the street from me is a Volvo-only shop run by an irate Russian man. No joke. He is very surly, but literally 1/4 mile from my house. Even though the auto tranny won't shift out of 1st, I have no problem driving it down there.

Well, after talking to him on the phone yesterday, I bring the car and tranny to him today. He is all mad and starts yelling at me, "where is converter? I need converter! This is why I no let people bring parts!"

Long story short, he tells me that I MUST get the torque converter from the car that I got the tranny from, that no other torque converter will do. Mind you all the AW70, 71, and 72 trannys on 700-series Volvos from 1983 to about 1992 are the same. I've looked up the parts numbers. If you can order a new torque converter for your Volvo, why do I need the original torque converter from the original car? For that matter, why not use the one in my bad tranny? I mean, I honestly have no problem ponying up the $130 for a new one either.

Well, he won't work on the car unless I get the torque converter that was originally bolted onto my new tranny.

Am I getting the run-around here? Should I bring it somewhere else with a brand-new converter?

Hard-Deck · 11-16-2007, 02:00 PM

1) S*itcan that guy in a heartbeat.
2) If you disregard #1, then get any torque converter that you find that works and give it to him...how the he!! would he ever figure it out, no numbers to match.

I'd still chose #1.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapper33

1) S*itcan that guy in a heartbeat.
2) If you disregard #1, then get any torque converter that you find that works and give it to him...how the he!! would he ever figure it out, no numbers to match.

I'd still chose #1.

+100

You're paying money TO this guy and he is giving you $hit and being surly?

Eff this guy and the horse he rode up on. Common sense rules out here. If anthoer torque converter is the same part number then it is the same part. The part doesn't "remember" where it came from. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

FYI - I had a great '95 850T and the automatic on that thing started crapping out early on it. I think about 70-75,000 miles. I think trannies on Volvos (at least back then) must be a weak spot?

the · 11-16-2007, 02:42 PM

Ditch the car and start over.

livi · 11-16-2007, 02:46 PM

Give me the serial number and I will send you an original Swedish made part. The real deal.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-16-2007, 03:01 PM

Just think how he'll treat you when he HAS your money. Run away!

tab tanner · 11-16-2007, 08:15 PM

You need to use the converter from the good transmission, the old one from the bad transmission may have dirt and fillings in it and it can ruein the good trans. Or just buy a NEW converter, I see the guy's point but he does not need to be an A-hole about it, tell him to pack sand and go to another shop!!

Jeff Higgins · 11-16-2007, 09:30 PM

A lot of these guys have no formal training; in mechanics or people skills. Likely back home some major POS Russian design demanded that the torque converter and tranny stay together for whatever reason. Something like massive tolerance buildups require matching them or whatever, so that is what he "knows" works.

I have a Russian neighbor that I thought for the longest time was just an ass hole. Very gruff, never smiled; all of that. It took me a couple of years to get to know him. It turns out he is a great guy. My best motorcycle riding buddy is a Czech expatriot that escaped from communist Czechleslovakia in '72. I met him as he was doing handyman work for my mom. At first I couldn't understand why she would hire him or have anything to do with him. Like my neighbor, once I got to know him, I found he was a great guy. We ride together as often as possible. I think these guys (eastern Europeans, Russians) are just like that; pretty tough nuts to crack. Once you do, they are the friendliest, most helpful, and loyal friends.

tcar · 11-16-2007, 09:45 PM

+1 for not reusing the old torque converter.

Gogar · 11-16-2007, 10:45 PM

He's just giving you a power play, but it's an opportunity to show him you know what you're talking about. Once you establish that you are knowledgeable and won't take any $hit, he'll roll over.

BUT, fuch that and go somewhere else. I agree that you should find a shop where they can be nice and straight up because . . . . . it's so much easier.

Dave L · 11-17-2007, 06:45 AM

Its also possible that he doesnt know how to do the tranny work and is throwing up every road block at you in the hopes that you will go somewhere else or give up. I would get a new torque converter "while your in there" but I would check into another shop.

Porsche_monkey · 11-17-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

FYI - I had a great '95 850T and the automatic on that thing started crapping out early on it. I think about 70-75,000 miles. I think trannies on Volvos (at least back then) must be a weak spot?

They need regular fluid changes to last a long time. Once the fluid burns the tranny dies quickly. This was not common thinking at the time, tranny fluid changes used to be quite rare, now they are necessary.

I don't care how my mechanic talks to me, I only care if he can fix my car. If you have confidence in him, take him a new T/C and get on with it. Otherwise check the local Volvo clubs and you'll quickly find the name of a good tranny shop.

Like Dan said, lots of those tranny's failed.

Rot 911 · 11-17-2007, 07:00 AM

What he wants does not make sense. Torque convertors are not matched to trannies on the assembly line. Just sounds like an a-hole to me.

lm6y · 11-17-2007, 07:49 AM

+1 on not using the old TC. It will have the fluid in it from the trans that failed, along with all of the grit, shavings, and gunk. The only way to clean the inside of a TC good enough for me to use after a failure is to split it, and clean the insides. The only problem with that is, you can usually buy a new one cheaper, than you can have that done.

Pop for a new one. If he doesn't like that, it's time to find a new mechanic.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Thanks for the posts, guys. After the way that this guy talked to me, I am definitely taking my Volvo elsewhere; I wil get a new converter (unless I can get the original from the guy who gave me the new tranny) and find a new shop.

lm6y · 11-17-2007, 09:47 AM

Be sure to backflush the cooler, and lines too!

scottmandue · 11-17-2007, 10:06 AM

I know nothing... but is this just a straight bolt in? As in do you need to take it to a Volvo mechanic or can any competent mechanic do the job?

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by lm6y

Be sure to backflush the cooler, and lines too!

this is very important

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I know nothing... but is this just a straight bolt in? As in do you need to take it to a Volvo mechanic or can any competent mechanic do the job?

Yeah, more or less. When I picked up the new tranny, it was still in the donor car. The engine was missing (converter must have still been attached?), so I just had to unbolt the tailshaft from the driveshaft and pull the tranny out of the engine bay. Simple stuff. I even left the cooler lines, dipstick tube, and kickdown cable attached in case my originals were somehow damaged. The long and short of it is that I really don't have the time or patience right now to do a tranny swap on my own. It's getting close to snow time, and my margin for error is shrinking. I need the grey brick back on the road.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Hmm. I called around and local Volvo shops are very reluctant to do a tranny swap with used parts. Can anyone recommend a good shop in the Hartford area?