normal 'feel' of 98R acceleration, or problem with power?

mdv · Post by **mdv** » 09 Dec 2009, 10:01

a few months ago I purchased a 98 V70 R AWD, (approx 97k), all standard equipment, and I keep second-guessing myself over whether there is something lacking in the power.

I drove a 95 850 turbo wagon for 10 years (from 60k to 180k), and always loved the 'kick' when the turbo came in under heavy acceleration, and particularly loved the feel when I accelerated at relatively high speed, e.g. from 50 to 70mph to overtake (where legal), the burst of energy in top gear that made unsuspecting passengers say 'wow'.

I thought that the 98 R would deliver even more of the same, but I find it disturbingly 'smooth'. My first thought is that there is a problem with the power - then I look at the speedometer, and see I am up to speed, but never quite sure if I got there in a reasonable time. (I haven't had a chance to test it at very high speed, 75mph+, for obvious reasons.)

Another thing that I don't know whether it is normal is that it seems to rev much more freely than my 850t (looking at the rpm needle) - not a bad thing at first thought, but then I wonder why I don't feel the power along with the revs; in fact I have played with tapping the gas pedal while cruising, and find I can raise, and let fall, the revs at least 800rpm without nudging the speedometer and without hearing or feeling anything from the engine.

So, now I am paranoid about my engine. Is this the normal feel of the 98 V70 R? Is that smoother acceleration an enhanced luxury? Or does this sound like there could be a problem with the engine? Or is there something else to look into that I am not aware of? (While I love my car, I am not a mechanical expert - apologies if this enquiry seems stupidly simplistic.) I didn't do a compression test before buying, alas.

(A few other points: the automatic transmission seems to change very smoothly; the engine sounds very even when at idle; the engine looks very clean, inspecting through the oil filler cap and on the dipstick; the smog/emissions test was very clean; I always run Chevron 91 octane; the car has had all scheduled maintenance, according to the service log at least (which just has a dealer stamp in every box); I have Castrol high-mileage formula 10/30 oil; new Michelin tires are at proper pressure.)

Thanks for any thoughts, advice, reassurance or concerns...

Mark

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Dec 2009, 11:17

Getting to Stage 0 would uncover a problem. Are you partly to that level?

mdv · Post by **mdv** » 09 Dec 2009, 22:09

Hello Matt,
I haven't really put that much work into the car yet - part of my concern is how much effort and money I want to put in, if the engine is irreparably damaged somehow.

I of course changed oil and filter first thing; I am hoping that since spark plugs are specified as a 90k service change, and the service records have that stamped, that the plugs only have 8k on them; I have run a dose of Chevron's Techron injector cleaner through, along with the Chevron fuel that also has Techron - I like to think that might have helped the fuel injectors, but maybe they need a proper re-furbish?
The hoses all look in excellent condition, but I think they might be the originals - should they be replaced even if they look good on the outside?
Perhaps I should just start getting to work on it, and hope it shapes up.
I was hoping maybe somebody would come up with an easily/cheaply fixed common problem to boost my confidence (and engine power)

I am very surprised by the different feel of the 98R wagon: took it for another long drive today, and it really doesn't pull up the hills on the highway like the 850turbo did; the 850turbo always felt like it was effortlessly over-delivering and had much more to give, whereas this 98 V70R feels like it is straining a bit, giving all it's got and not delivering what I hoped for.
- but maybe it's because I am starting from the belief that the 95 850Turbo wagon is the best car Volvo ever made, so nothing else shapes up

Thank you for your reply!
I will crack on towards stage 0.

Mark

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 09 Dec 2009, 22:33

it stuck me as odd that you had a 98 R because i know they never made a s70 R for america and i was under the impression that only the 2000 model v70 was released in the R version. Anyway, there's a lot coming into play with any cars feel and acceleration. to start as you said your driving two different cars, while they are based on the same principles. i own a 98 s70 t5 its an automatic like the majority of other s70 cars. the car has 179,800ish miles on it and i still have passengers get a little pulled back when the pedal is down. just stating that for comparison
you are also driving a wagon not a sedan like im presuming your 850 is. meaning that its going to weigh more and have more momentum the whole time your driving it, not to mention the transmission would be totally different. i dont think u can compare the two cars on an exact feel as stated they are different.

Do the whole stage 0 and see if that helps if u are really still unhappy with it take it to a dyno, i believe the stock Hp for that car is 250hp.

sorry for the HUGE paragraph just got done writing 3 essays for the end of the semester and was in a writing mood.

Sladethesleeper · Post by **Sladethesleeper** » 10 Dec 2009, 06:34

There isn't a huge difference in weight between the V70 and S70.

I don't own an R, but I test drove a few while looking at V70s and my mother in law had a 2006S60R (I think that was the year) that i got to drive here and there.

If you look at the specs on the R, according to IPD at least, in stock form it is almost a half second slower 0-60 than the T5 and only .2 sec faster than the GLT. There is about a 300lbs difference in weight due to the AWD gear. Also, with transfering some power to the rear wheels through a bevel gear, the VC, and the rear end you have introduced some inefficiencies. I found a spec somewhere that the torque on the R is actually about 20ft-lbs less than the T5. IPD doesn't say that, but I remember reading it though I can't find it again so I'm guessing it was a typo.

I remember not being all that impressed with the absolute power of the R. I did however like the AWD system when I would punch the gas on wet roads. You'd feel the front end go a little and then the rear end steady the car right up.

Don't assume the plugs were done. it's worth the check anyways. Plus, when you pull them, you'll be able to tell a lot about how the engine is running.

mdv · Post by **mdv** » 10 Dec 2009, 14:04

thank you for those thoughts.

It makes sense that the AWD system would add weight - I hadn't thought of that. And that is interesting that the R is rated a little slower than the T5 - I had assumed that the R would be a higher performance engine, as it was with the first R's and the last R's.

I have never driven the sedan, so my comparison was wagon to wagon; they look so similar from the outside that I thought 3 model years and the R upgrades would provide a zippier feel. But perhaps not.

Anyway, I hope that getting closer to stage zero will help. I will change out the plugs and rotor next probably.

Are there any guides or instructions for replacing the hoses (vacuum lines, turbo hoses) posted anywhere? Is this a relatively simple job that could be done with relatively little experience, or should I have my mechanic do it?

Many thanks,

Mark

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 Dec 2009, 16:01

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/vacuum_lines.php

Really, it's just pull one off, put the other one exactly where it was. The hard part is weaving the lines through the engine bay, other than that it probably isn't too hard.

Mine's not AMAZINGLY fast, in fact it's incredibly un-spectacular from a dead stop, but I haven't done much Stage 0 stuff to it. I blame the HUGE 1st gear ratio for that. Coupled with AWD, that will slow you down a little more. 50-80 and twisty country roads are quite a blast though

Drop a K&N air filter in there if there isn't one already. I noticed my engine became A LOT more free-revving and smoother when I switched it to synthetic oil.