Protect your V50 / C30 / S40 engine, especially if R-Design
Anthony @ToomanyVolvos
Croydon NSW
As above. I recently posted some pics of an accessory belt that was just 1900KLMS old on my C30 R- design (to the D5, maintenance you must do thread).
To follow up that belt shredded and snapped due to a minor impact on the engine "skid plate". A small hole maybe the size of a beer can on the plastic skid plate allowed debris / rocks to interfere with the accessory belt / pulley which in turn snapped wrapping around the crank pulley and apparently destroying the motor!
NRMA have concluded it was an incident and approved the replacement of the engine at 9.5K plus various other costs adding up to 13.5K!
TBH, it's likely that replacing the TB and other bits the engine would be OK without bent valves but NRMA approved a new motor so that's what's happening.
So that leads back to the title. The skid plates, particularly on R-Design cars are inadequate as are the stupid plastic timing belt covers. Both should be alloy on an interference engine.
IPD make aluminium skid plates for about $180 USD. Problem is freight for just 2 units is $1053USD!!!!! Clearly this is not viable and IPD are yet to offer a better freight option.
Does anyone on here have any thoughts about using an IPD unit and getting a local company to duplicate their design or some other way of maybe getting a bulk order of these to Australia? I think every C30 / V50 / S40 must have one (especially R-DESIGN).
To follow up that belt shredded and snapped due to a minor impact on the engine "skid plate". A small hole maybe the size of a beer can on the plastic skid plate allowed debris / rocks to interfere with the accessory belt / pulley which in turn snapped wrapping around the crank pulley and apparently destroying the motor!
NRMA have concluded it was an incident and approved the replacement of the engine at 9.5K plus various other costs adding up to 13.5K!
TBH, it's likely that replacing the TB and other bits the engine would be OK without bent valves but NRMA approved a new motor so that's what's happening.
So that leads back to the title. The skid plates, particularly on R-Design cars are inadequate as are the stupid plastic timing belt covers. Both should be alloy on an interference engine.
IPD make aluminium skid plates for about $180 USD. Problem is freight for just 2 units is $1053USD!!!!! Clearly this is not viable and IPD are yet to offer a better freight option.
Does anyone on here have any thoughts about using an IPD unit and getting a local company to duplicate their design or some other way of maybe getting a bulk order of these to Australia? I think every C30 / V50 / S40 must have one (especially R-DESIGN).
Comments
http://focusonperformance.com.au/heavy-duty-alloy-undertray-sump-guard/
Just my 2 cents...
Ive run without an undertray on a significantly lowered C30 daily for like 50,000kms and imho it's unlikely that stones caused your issue especially if your tray was still relatively intact.
Your valves will be bent for sure if the timing belt snapped.
Did anyone check the alternator freewheel or the A/C compressor?
I was thinking we should be able to group but these at under $300 ÀUD for >10 delivered or similar amount built locally.
Either way these are a must have.
AC compressor had a stone in the pulley. No check on alternator. Evidence of recent impact on retarded plastic plate and debris trapped inside plate. Suspect impact with gravel speed bump or pot hole, bit nothing major.
We also have an AWD V50 that I've been running with no skid plate for some time. The AWD is slightly higher. NRMA sent the vehicle to an engineer / investigator that concluded the above was the cause. If he's correct we should all have an aluminium plate under these cars.
Bonus that the IPD one has the oil service holes designed into it, which is an absolute must.
The Focus on performance one is tooooo exxy (I think 300-350 AUD is Fair and if IPD can do it for $180 USD someone in AUS can do it), plus it doesn't have the oil service hole which is absolutely ESSENTIAL. Friggin around with belly plates just for an oil change is just stupid.
$152.96 USD (and IPD still have to make a profit on top of whomever is making these for them), surely an Australian manufacturer can make something at least as good for under $300 AUD. If not, we are truly shitsville that "autoexpert" thinks we are.
I still need to buy one for my s40
Don't scrimp if you feel it's that important is my thoughts....
I will buy the one @AshDVS is making.
I know it's harder to manufacture here and our retarded Govt has a lot to answer for.... But if IPD can make a profit (after paying staff, warehousing, design etc etc) on $152 USD on what looks to be a high quality item then I'd guess it must be getting produced for something like $100 USD. There's something profoundly wrong with Australia and our economy if it costs $600 AUD to make what looks like an inferior product.
Annlyn motors quoted about $370 +GST on a genuine Volvo plastic unit but this clearly never should have been plastic in the first place. In the same vein I struggle to understand why the TB's on interference engines aren't protected by a light weight high quality alloy cover to prevent engine destruction. Volvo (and others) should be taking some responsibility (by selling an engine at cost price, not 9.5K) when a failure happens to a TB that's poorly protected.
It's normal to need to remove the skid plate to get access to the oil filter and oil drain. Its designed to be changed on a hoist keep in mind. And you inspect for leaks etc at the same time. Not a new issue there either.
Hell, even my Aussie Ford has built in this cool little flap for a coolant drain and all other fluid service points are accessible.
Why are owners tolerant of OEM's and industry making it difficult for the end user to maintain?
Look forward to an Australian skid pan that is reasonably priced and has service points built in.... Till then I've been quoted $300 USD in freight from IPD for two units and seeing if they can squeeze in a third for similar shipping if anyone's interested.
Nope... TBH its not all that hard to make one at home
You will become Volvo internet famous.
We dont regularly see huge demand though - if we did, it'd be a bigger priority.
The problem isn't new, as Tim mentioned - in fact, it seems more common on the P80 platform cars (which we have a product for), but it does happen from time to time.
We've got a couple of different iterations that require some more work for the P1 platform cars, but they need some thought to help with less 'hands on' manufacturing (which keeps price down).
The more of it I can laser-cut and the less manual work required, the better.
My c30 isn't lowered and I've scraped the sump on the once or twice, thankfully at low speed and without damage. If I were to lower then I think a skid plate would be a mandatory accessory.
My 2 IPD skid plates are in the post, 152 USD plus about $120 USD each in freight when combined with other parts. So just under 400 AUD on my doorstep.
Look forward to @AshDVS version as I'll be interested in 1-2 more if they are as good as the IPD ones and I can still do an oil change in <10 mins without pulling the pan or using a hoist.
Or $170 from the same supplier, under this listing. www.aliexpress.com/item/BING-WINS-Car-styling-For-Volvo-C30-Plastic-engine-guard-2012-2015-For-C30-Engine-skid/32832617291.html Strong enough to stand on!
Previously I'd only seen the IPD ones which do look quality but the shipping is killer.
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/10799/124289-aluminum-skid-plate-p3-s60-s80-v70-xc70-xc60-v60
US$148 + 182 shipping to Melb (plus the govt extortiontax)
The Chinese equiv one for that seller is certainly cheaper when you factor in the free shipping
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Car-styling-For-Volvo-S60-plastic-steel-engine-guard-For-S60-2011-2017-Engine-skid-plate/3083048_32880551810.html
US$126 free shipping
It looks more generic than the IPD one though, the access holes don't seem to line up correctly. Is it made to fit the 5 as well as the 6 cyl? The IPD sell the same one for the 6 and 5 but say the drain holes on theirs dont lineup for the 5 only the 6. Also the NACA vents look backwards, the site however talks about negative pressure exhaust vents, maybe that's what they mean.
The chinese one also looks like it might be more plastic than steel, might just be the finish in those pics though.
Chinese on the left IPD on the right
Looking at the OEM though that removable panel looks like it probably lines up, not sure what the other access holes are for.
Anyone that's had a better look at replacing the current skid plate on an S60 have input?
Thanks