Ryan — screen name callahanoffroad — did some math. What math? Why on this green Earth would someone do math outside of a school or a bank? Well, math to determine the maximum compression ratio for the three common 1993-2000 Volvo inline-5 cylinder engines. What he came up with is a lookup table that takes […]
The CVVT job — burn off environmentally bad gasses produced in the first minute or so from a cold engine. CVVT technology superseded fussy air pumps after it matured enough to be a dependable component of passenger cars. See Wikipedia’s CVVT page. See MVS’s how to change the CVVT hub on P2 Volvos. See all […]
Wondering if you need to change the transmission fluid in your P1 generation — 2004-2012 — Volvo S40/V50? MVS user cleve33 had a similar question after his mechanic recommended every 30k miles and worrying it was just a cash grab. Turning to the good people of the MVS forum, he asked how often to change […]
Need to set timing on a Volvo B5254T3 engine? Here’s the DIY and deep VVT (variable valve timing) explanation from MVS Volvo Forums wizards Rick and Jimmy: RickHaleParker » The reason I had the impression that there was no VVT adjustment is because there are no specific VVT alignment procedures in VIDA 2014D. However after reading […]
Air conditioning problems? Start here.
My car is 18 years old, and most of the bolts I removed were untouched since new. Furthermore, the lower U joint, where the steering column connects to the rack, is probably corroded together because Volvo put an aluminium U-joint on a steel spine. This means you will need to remove a lot of stuff to get the rack out, far more than the factory manual suggests. Finally, you have to jack the engine up off its side and rear mount and drop the crossmember at the same time because the engine is supported on the steering column and you have to drop the crossmember to wiggle the rack out. I found an engine support stand and some chains really helped because I could work under the car without a jack or axle stand being in the way. Penetrant and a good impact gun are your friend.
As an audiophile, I can tell you that the sonic benefit is well worth the effort. If that quote isn’t enough to spur you to seek out a part #9452029 amp for your P80 Volvo, I don’t know what will. This a good post with helpful photos incorporating instructions on installing a Volvo amp in […]
Longtime MVS Contributor Oragex serves up a simple fix for an annoying problem. If you have a squeaky armrest — center armrest — in your P2 Volvo, this is 1.5 minutes of your time that I think you’ll agree is well spent. P2 Squeaky Armrest Fix
Yesterday longtime MVS Contributor and Volvo DIY author cn90 posted a method to avoid the headache of lining up crank marks when you’re replacing a timing belt on a Volvo 5-cylinder engine. I just did the timing belt, WP, etc. on my 2005 XC90 2.5T with 110K miles. I just came up with a nice […]
Volvo’s history is intrinsically intertwined with the 5-cylinder engine. More than any other auto maker (besides maybe Audi), Volvo’s name has become almost synonymous with this rather idiosyncratic engine over the last 30 years. At the time, it was a perfect compromise between the 6-cylinder’s power and the 4-cylinders size and efficiency. Of course, time […]
How to diagnose head gasket? Valve guides? Bad turbo? when you’re seeing white smoke in exhaust. Today we look at how to diagnose white smoke when decelerating from a 2002 XC70. MVS Volvo Forums member 1bigb1: Need some advice ,do I look at my Turbo OR do I look at my Head ? I have […]
mrbrian200 had a goal: extend the life of and/or prevent temporary freakouts of the CEM and DIM modules in P2 Volvos. It’s a simple yet brilliant modification that can’t hurt, and will almost certainly help, the longevity of your Volvo. I’ve come across several reports by owners who state when their CEM or DIM freaks […]
V40 and S40 (2004+) owners rejoice! Help and advice is here for you while you’re working on your Volvo’s timing belt. This is also applicable to 2000s Volvo 5-cylinder cars with VVT… variable valve timing. MVS member Bruce: The timing mark on the cam gear is really not important once you pull the gear/hub off […]