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850 2.0 t5 picking up rpms and turbo question Topic is solved

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Robby850
Posts: 3
Joined: 26 February 2026
Year and Model: 1994 850 2.0 t5
Location: Genova

850 2.0 t5 picking up rpms and turbo question

Post by Robby850 »

Hi, it's my first post here and I'm very thankful for the existence of this forum!
I have two main problems/questions. I'm currently in the process of doing a full stage 0 on a very neglected 850 that was gifted to me. I have this problem with the car always picking up 2/300 rpms when I press the clutch while driving to change gears. Can it simply be a dirty throttle body getting a little stuck when releasing it or should i look into something else?
I'll also have to replace the turbo at some point since mine is burning oil. I have the '94 2.0 t5 (b5204t) Italian version, and I believe I should have the 13g or 13t turbo and since I'd have to replace it I wanted to go for a bigger one to spend the money only once, and I was thinking about a 16t. I don't have a lot of knowledge about it but what else would I need other than the turbo itself and a tune? Also does anyone know the part number for the 16t compatible with my engine?
Thanks to everyone!

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matthew1
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Post by matthew1 »

Welcome to MVS, Robby850. Could be a dirty throttle body. Might be dirty injectors, vacuum lines, a host of possibilities really. You're shooting the Stage 0 parts cannon at it either way. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/stage ... e_vignette

Turbo and a tune, yes start there. Did 2.0s come with Mitsubishi 16G turbos? We didn't get 2.0 5-cylinders here in North America, so pardon my ignorance on this. Also I'm only aware of 16G not 16T.
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Robby850
Posts: 3
Joined: 26 February 2026
Year and Model: 1994 850 2.0 t5
Location: Genova

Post by Robby850 »

Thanks,
The 2.0 cane with a 13g. I have also misspelled 16G haha

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

Does it do this at rest? So with the car standing still, if you dip the clutch the engine picks up 2-300 rpms? What is the rpm's at idle without the clutch pressed?

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
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1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
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Robby850
Posts: 3
Joined: 26 February 2026
Year and Model: 1994 850 2.0 t5
Location: Genova

Post by Robby850 »

No it doesn't do that at rest, only while driving. The idle with the clutch pressed stays the same as when it's not pressed at around 8/900 rpm

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

I'm thinking Matthew has hit the list further up. I'd be looking at vacuum lines and intercooler pipework for loose pipe and cracked hoses. He also mentioned the throttle body to have it cleaned.

Good Luck!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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misha
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Post by misha »

Cel on?
Read the codes...all you need is a pencil and a piece of paper since '94 produce flash codes.

OBDI diagnostic ports are on passenger's side onto ecu box under the hood.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

Louiseravot
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Post by Louiseravot »

A throttle body cleaning is a good place to start, but also check the idle air control valve and vacuum leaks. To my knowledge, either can cause RPM to hang between shifts. As for the turbo, a 16T will bolt up easily, but you’ll want upgraded injectors or fuel pressure adjustments to run it safely. Hope this makes sense.

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