After a few days with the new spark plugs I can sadly say that my problem isn't completely fixed. I still have vibration under load sometimes, and occasionally pretty bad. However, it's much smoother when not misfiring. The plugs were definitely not wasted effort or money. I think the next step is t...

I feel you! I had the same problem and chose to try the HID replacements. I've had them installed for over a year and they've been trouble free, bright, and have a great pattern. I do not take it easy on them - I run them as daytime running lamps too, anytime my engine's running, my lights are on. T...

I got to work today to change the plugs and inspect the coils. The removed plugs were NGK double iridium, and seemed tired but serviceable. The gaps had opened to about .043, which is pretty darn big compared to the specified .028. The only really remarkable finding was that the #3 plug hole had fil...

abscate, Do you have a recommendation on plug brand and type. I tend to be an NGK loyalist from my Porsche experience, but I'm not sure what's running well in the Volvos. I'm feeling like we're on the right track for my uncomfortable vibration while under load. I'm going to just change the plugs and...

abscate, Won't any misfiring cause CEL to trigger? On VW's and Honda's I've had in the past any misfire always triggered the light, even when the misfire wasn't noticeable. I've not touched the engine other than to add oil since I bought the car. Perhaps FCP's coil and plug kit is needed? I purchase...

I'll check the rail pressure. I think what's happening is that it's being allowed to bleed down pressure when the car's off, although other FI systems I've worked on always start from 0, I've read that this car should have a full head of pressure at all times. I'll also do the underhood sniff test a...

I put it down as axle shafts, but I had the front CV on my propeller shaft fail. It's the front/rear driveshaft on an XC. Its failure was bizarre, the symptoms were EXACTLY the same as upper strut bearings. I only discovered the issue by changing the front struts and strut caps and being surprised t...

Just a bit of general knowledge... oil on plugs would mean that a seal, or seals to the system are compromised. That would be bad rings or bad valve seals. It would be unusual to have oil on all your plugs in the case of a failure of rings or valve stem seals. Oily plugs would not be consistent with...

Hi All! This is my first post on this board. Quick bit of background just to paint a fuller picture: I bought the car in CA specifically for the mission of loading all my stuff, my bike, cat, dog, and towing my '69 Porsche from Monterey to New London, CT last March. The trip was a success and the ol...