What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

Post by **ZionXIX** » 20 Dec 2025, 23:09

Currently rebuilding my tail lights with JB weld since these cannot be purchased new. Im considering taking a small brush and covering every square inch of the tail light housing in JB weld to reduce future crumbling.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 21 Dec 2025, 00:22

Discovered that I think I have a motor mount problem. Driving home from the next town over, I suddenly felt/heard a sound, that I initially thought maybe was a bad tire on a close by vehicle. However, when I had to slow for traffic, it went away. Then I noticed when moving at low speed, or not at all, a sudden application of the throttle would generate a little thunk. Then I went under the hood, and saw it. I didn't examine each mount, but if quickly opening the throttle by hand, the serpentine side of the engine moves a little more than it should.

Always in winter!

Post by **manovlov** » 21 Dec 2025, 04:08

I've changed oil and filter from engine, and gearbox. I have a bulb, lightning the fuel gauge that doesn't work. Tried several bulbs, several brackets, nothing. I think i will have to go into the speedometers deeper...

Post by **ZionXIX** » 21 Dec 2025, 11:08

The JB welded rear tail lights are working well. I did not know the mounting bolts were spring loaded. Presumably for "constant tension". Im definitely guilty over tightening those.

Still trying to diagnose the rough idle condition.

The idle air controller is working, bench tested with the battery and made sure its clean.

Checked for vacuum leaks using a smoke tester. Found a huge gash in the hose between the turbo and intercooler. Sealing that opening with my gloved finger does nothing to the idle. I have a do88 silicone kit on order. Hopefully will be here before new years.

I pulled the spark plugs. They all look great. There are probably less than 10,000 miles on them. No cracks on the porcelin. The plug boots look new, replaced with bougicord about 8 years ago.

The distributor cap is super clean inside. Also replaced about 8 years ago with the plug wires.

I also cleaned the 2 ground wires on the back side of the valve cover.

Performed a compression test since I had the plugs out. Cylinder 1-4 are reading 150psi, cylinder 5 is at 135 psi. Maybe a valve job is in order?

Honestly for an engine with 220k miles, thats been ran out of oil on the highway twice, overheated once due to a failed electric radiator fan, survived a tornado and has been left to sit for several months multiple times. Im pretty happy with those compression numbers.

My logic says if it was a bad fuel pump or low fuel pressure, the engine should perform worse at anything above idle as it would be starved for fuel. So I think the fuel pump is good.

The fuel injectors however are factory. They could probably use some cleaning or replacing entirely. I did unplug each injector one at a time and the engine bogged down each time. So theyre at least getting some fuel.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Dec 2025, 06:28

Remember once you smoke test, find a leak, fix it...you have to smoke test it again.

Smoke finds the biggest leak first

Put fuel pressure fears to bed with a fuel pressure test - get good data. Remember your fuel pressure regulator (FPR ) has to work on these cars, sneers from 1999 aside.

Compression test is fine - Volvo spec is a nominal 150 psi and within 10 percent of each other.

Chieber · Post by **Chieber** » 22 Dec 2025, 08:09

So my lesson was worth 140 euro plus 120 for new spring compressor.

I have learned… to not go back to that shop.
The star nut was upside down

Edit: and they didn’t use the rubber spacer. Luckily I had spares.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Dec 2025, 08:32

Well done indeed! I like the crash helmet idea, smart move when using spring compressors.

It is scary to think that the garage 'mechanics' are not able to follow simple instructions. What are they doing to other's cars with more complex issues??

Neil.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 22 Dec 2025, 09:21

Chieber wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025, 08:09 So my lesson was worth 140 euro plus 120 for new spring compressor.

I have learned… to not go back to that shop.
The star nut was upside down

Edit: and they didn’t use the rubber spacer. Luckily I had spares.

Dude the helmet is perfect. Its giving "Chris Fix" vibes. I have used a welding hood before for that job.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 22 Dec 2025, 09:22

abscate wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025, 06:28 Remember once you smoke test, find a leak, fix it...you have to smoke test it again.

Smoke finds the biggest leak first

Put fuel pressure fears to bed with a fuel pressure test - get good data. Remember your fuel pressure regulator (FPR ) has to work on these cars, sneers from 1999 aside.

Compression test is fine - Volvo spec is a nominal 150 psi and within 10 percent of each other.

I actually bought a fuel pressure gauge but it did not come with a right angle adapter so I haven't been able to use it. Ive considered unbolting the throttle cable assembly to get clearance.

Chieber · Post by **Chieber** » 22 Dec 2025, 12:44

I just lost a socket 13 in this crevasse

Must be somewhere in the side skirts by now?

What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

Re: What did you do to your Volvo today?