How dependable in Volvo semi Truck

I have a 2007 660 that I got used through Dart/Hwy Sales (I can hear some of you groaning from way over here). It has a Cummins ISX 450hp and Eaton-Fuller 10sp tranny, 355 rears, and is about to turn 500K miles. In the first 6 months I had the truck, I put nearly $20K into it. Just under half of that money was electrics, and most of THAT money was returning to the Volvo dealer in Lexington KY (went back there 4 times). First truck, so I didn't know what I know now. Biggest problem wasn't so much the truck as the incompetent and slipshod maintenance/repairs by that Volvo dealer and Pro Stop (Dart's "unafilliated" maintenance arm). They both kept finding ways to not warranty their work--my mechanic called it "swaptronics" (switch stuff out til the problem resolves itself).

The truck itself has been a real workhorse. Once I found a mechanic I could trust, and started learning to do some of the basic stuff myself, it has been really good to me. I can't fault the basic design of the thing. It is currently getting the overheads run, as well as all intake and exhaust and turbo plumbing/gaskets checked, full PM, winterization, and three-axle alignment to zero tolerance. Also the chargecooler and associated plumbing is being checked for leaks. Don't know how much it is all going to cost, but am expecting to pick up significant fuel mileage when it is all over. The only bad thing my tech says about the VN series is he feels the air ride front suspension is a bad design.

My four cents' worth...

 

Ya know I sure would lve to see some numbers on how the D12 compairs to other engines with all the smog crap being put on them. I thought the new Cat motor(550?) is J-U-N-K
any thoughts bill?

 

I have to agree about emission crap.

 

07 Volvo with a D12 engine and auto tranny for 44.000 with 545 k on it ?

 

Same as any other engine. Sometimes you just ain't gonna get that part...I don't care what the engine is...sometimes it just ain't gonna happen. I was laid over in Nashville once with a C13 cat...I've been laid over with a cummins N14. Talk to the folks at Old Dominion (I think it's them)...I believe that's all they use and they get a million+ on their Volvo engines.

As far as finding a tech, I wouldn't be taking my bread winner to a fly-by-night mechanic. With my ISX, if it starts having problems it's going to Cummins. Take your Volvo diesel to the Volvo guys...it may cost a little more but it'll be done right. Oil changes and stuff, Speedco, T/A, they know what to do.

 

Hey Cap'n, did your mileage ever come up?

 

Mine is also a Highway sales 2007 670, with the Volvo d12. Currently crossing 675,000, the biggest problem that i had was the alignment. If I let go of the steering wheel, like to blow my nose by the time I was done I would have been in a ditch. Pro Stop tried to align it but couldn't. I had to take it to a frame shop in Texas and it has never driven better, only after $2800.00.

I think that is really not bad after hearing the stories posted on all the different trucks I've read about on these posts. as the price of parts go I really don't see much difference. It's like putting out the money for a dealer supplied part vice an AutoZone part. The AutoZone part is less expensive but it also cheaper more likely to malfunction, sure the part is under warrantee but you still have to change it. But with the dealer part most likely it works.

I think it still goes back to where you get it fixed. The only thing we hear on this post is where not to take your truck to get it fixed. The mechanics change so fast in the company shops you might not ever have the same guy to fix your truck. I have read several times that "My Mechanic says this", I can't take very much stock in what any mechanic says since everyone I have talked to has told me that I didn't need something ( like a new gasket, a small repair ) and later at the next service had to get that exact thing done then. I can only figure that the mechanic just didn't want to fix it then maybe it interfered with his off time or he knew that it didn't pay enough but if he waited the repair might be larger and pay better. I have told several drivers that one shop was better than another only to find out that the shop was closed the next time I went by.

 

20% loss in compression on one cylinder is a lot? Was truck powerless? Did you have problems pulling loads or really bad fuel consumption?

What was the symptoms of this compression loss?

 

I got 2011 D16. stay away! I go nothing but problems. 250k and new injectors needed and new fan hubs .. seems like the new engines are made in china.
everything falls apart. I had D12 before and I didn't have problems at all till they hit 1 000,000 without major problems. and now! the 2007 D12 are good. Anything after 2007 especially the D13 I would rethink. My buddy had a bad luck with them.

 

STAY AWAY FROM VOLVO ENGINE.....ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS..egr & COOLER,TURBO..INJECTOR AND INJECTOR CUPS every job is a big job expensive parts drivers like them good ride and fuel. maintain a fleet of volvo'S volvo's with detroits no problem volvo engine hope you have alot of money to keep them running GOOD LUCK