Volvo with Launch Control...

[HPsauce]

Will do.
The dealer had given me the impression they would notify DVLA directly, potentially putting me in a catch-22 situation, but that was incorrect.

Though the invoice I have doesn't even specify the engine number or that it's a like-for-like replacement, so I've asked the garage for all that on headed paper.

[paulrstaylor]

Tax it today, worst case, you lose a month?

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by paulrstaylor

Tax it today, worst case, you lose a month?

Already done.
As soon as I discovered the dealer DIDN'T notify DVLA of the new engine (I had to, and as MJ said will do that later) AND they had given it a new MOT I taxed it. Only £15 a month anyway.

Edit: Oddly the MOT shows up online almost immediately, the tax doesn't and DVLA say it may take 5 working days!

[HPsauce]

Finally got it back today. Also needed both batteries replacing which was done FOC.

[paulrstaylor]

Batteries sound like a small win, aside from that is everything okay?

[HPsauce]

So far so good, but there's so much tech in the car that potentially could be disturbed and need recalibrating that I just don't know yet.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

So far so good

Well maybe not....
I was looking closely at the engine, trying to find a label to confirm type and serial number. Mainly to update DVLA records but also to satisfy me it was the right engine!
Found the label which was all good, though difficult to get at and photograph.

Funny thing is, I've been driving gently (old school running in habits die hard) but SWMBO came back the other day complaining that it felt a bit sluggish....
Then I found this on the air intake, just after the MAF, could well be the reason:


Easy enough to sort out, but what else has been done sloppily?

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

but what else has been done sloppily?

Well today I found the front wheels had swapped over, so the directional (Michelin CrossClimate) tyres were rotating the wrong way.
Given the ludicrous hourly rate paid to the Volvo dealership (name and shame time, Endeavour Volvo Cars - Slough) what has it cost me/Volvo for this silly basic error?

I called the dealer ASAP and they are sending a mobile tyre man to swap them back.
I'm not sure what a couple of months use will have done to them though. The back ones were fine as they hadn't been touched.

[Adrian E]

Hi Andrew

It shouldn't have done any damage - it just means the tyres wouldn't have been able to deal with heavy rain as effectively as when they're fitted the correct way round. The tread pattern is designed to cut through water, but when they're incorrectly fitted the water gets 'stuck' at the bottom of the V and you're more likely to experience aquaplaning.

I agree that it's a pretty basic error for a dealer's mechanic to be making.....

[HPsauce]

Thanks Adrian, I thought as much.
However for a seriously safety-focussed company which Volvo professes to be that's a significant error.
And if something untoward had happened my insurers would no doubt have used it as an excuse to restrict their liabilty......