Login Register

Replace Piston Ring? Misfire #3 P0303

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
Post Reply
commlend
Posts: 32
Joined: 17 March 2009
Year and Model: 99 70xc
Location: Massachussetts

Replace Piston Ring? Misfire #3 P0303

Post by commlend »

Hello Everyone,
I have a misfire on #3- P0303. I pulled plug and it was covered in oil- like it was dipped in oil covered. I cleaned it up and cleaned coil, seemed to idle fine for about 10 seconds, then started to misfire again once the oil pumped around and saturated it. The cel flashes when I get up to about 30mph.
I am going to do a compression test to confirm but is it most likley a piston ring?
If it is a ring can I push the piston up from the bottom of the car ( with the head off) without removing the engine?
How long can I drive it with a dead cylinder? Do I now have as much power as a 4 cylinder honda civic :lol:
If I decide to drive it into the ground and part out the rest of the vehicle how long do you think before it doesn't even drive? I would just want enough time to find another vehicle- few weeks or month max so I can be picky and find something decent.
Any advice on replacing the piston rings. Even a shade tree method to buy some time would be worth a few laughs also. :mrgreen: Thanks
Ben
Top
User avatar
BEJinFbk
Posts: 4067
Joined: 5 January 2008
Year and Model: '98 V70 R
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Has thanked: 93 times
Been thanked: 146 times

Post by BEJinFbk »

I think I'd move on to a compression or even a leakdown test before doing anything drastic.
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)
Top
jblackburn
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14043
Joined: 8 June 2008
Year and Model: 1998 S70 T5
Location: Alexandria, VA
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Post by jblackburn »

I think very rarely does a piston ring just blow out entirely. My parents have got a 74 BMW and a 20-year old lawnmower with leaky rings, and while they both smoke like hell when they start, they both run just fine.

Clearances are pretty close in the Volvo engines, though, and they usually don't have these problems.

Do a compression test dry, and then add a squirt of oil to that cylinder and re-do the test. If your pressure jumps dramatically, you DO have a bad ring.

I'd say more likely it's a valve seal gone bad, but the compression test will tell you more.
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier

A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

mercuic: Long live the tractor motor!
Top
commlend
Posts: 32
Joined: 17 March 2009
Year and Model: 99 70xc
Location: Massachussetts

Post by commlend »

Thanks for the tips jablackburn,
Any takers on replacing the ring by pushing the piston up from the bottom of the block?
It seems like it should work...
Top
commlend
Posts: 32
Joined: 17 March 2009
Year and Model: 99 70xc
Location: Massachussetts

Post by commlend »

I appreciate the help guys...
It ended up just being a coil pack. Thanks again.
Ben
Top
jblackburn
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14043
Joined: 8 June 2008
Year and Model: 1998 S70 T5
Location: Alexandria, VA
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Post by jblackburn »

Always good when it's something easy :mrgreen:
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier

A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

mercuic: Long live the tractor motor!
Top
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “850, S70, V70, C70, V70-XC 1992-2000”