2002 s60 vibration VVT ?

randyman · Post by **randyman** » 06 Aug 2011, 12:37

I have had a vibration in the car since I purchased it. Not too bad at first, but now with 130,000 and a new timing belt it is very noticeable. It is present as you slow to a stop and idle. If I put it in neutral it is the same. All ignition parts are fairly new. Made no difference. I found when i replaced the timing belt that one of the cams would not line up perfectly. No matter what i did this was the case, so i ran with it. The car starts and performs well, good gas milage etc. What i did notice was the VVT cam phaser was adjusted far to the left. I think this may be the issue, but not sure. No codes and problem was present, though a little less so for some time before replacing the belt which was very loose when i replaced it. My thought was to try adjusting that cam phaser. Any thoughts or insight?

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Aug 2011, 14:41

IF the cam phaser was the issue you'd have a code. If it can't get the cam to desired with a small deviation allowed it sets dtc and lights the check engine lamp.
THe slots on cam gears mean nothing. Only the crank being locked and the cams being locked when all is assembled and belt tightened.

randyman · Post by **randyman** » 06 Aug 2011, 14:51

That was my thought as well. No code setting and good performance / fuel economy I felt timing was not a direct issue, but the problem still remains. I tested the coil packs and replaced one before the timing belt along with the plugs. I do not feel this is an ignition problem. Not sure what to do.

randyman · Post by **randyman** » 06 Aug 2011, 14:57

P.S. I cleaned the injectors a couple weeks ago and it made things better, but did not have a decisive impact on the engine vibration.

stacey2004 · Post by **stacey2004** » 06 Aug 2011, 16:23

I had a similar problem with a 2005 s60. Mine turned out to be (I spoke with someone at Volvo in California on the design side of things) a sealing problem with the gas cap that was letting moisture in. I ran it down to empty and put dry gas in. Thereafter, I was advised to screw the gas cap in at least four or five times after filling tank.

It was a very frustrating problem - the shudder was insane, and no one could figure it out for the longest time. Hope your solution is that simple!

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Aug 2011, 16:44

The quantitative part of "vibration" is hard to communicate.
Water in fuel should be a misfire.
Spark plugs, bad spray pattern injectors, incompletely sealed valves, and probably a few other things can cause rough idle that is not complete misfire level roughness.
THe 5 cylinders in these cars has a vibration that is characteristic and a lot of P2 models have a coarseness when idling and just off idle. It can be engine mounts on high milers and I have seen very low mile (new) cars that exhaust stress or motor mount stress being relieved would cure the issue.
Even the idle speed affects this as most of the 99 and newer have ambient temp varied idle speed. Some cars have this issue only in winter when the idle speed is lowered 25-50 rpm.
Did you purchase it new or how many miles when you got the car?

Unrelated but important: have you changed the filter in the AWD coupler in front of diff? 2002 is the first to use Active On-demand Coupler, AOC, and it is the only year with paper oil filter that has a service interval. THe paper in the filter can deteriorate with years and disintegrating and going through oil system of the AOC unit isn't good. AOC is Volvo's name, the unit is made by Haldex and many refer to it by that name.

randyman · Post by **randyman** » 07 Aug 2011, 07:10

I think you are on to something.....the shudder has a overtaxed drivetrain feel to it. I bought the car with about 35,000 miles on it. It has about 135,000 on it now. Is the filter a dealer only item? It is located where percisely? Filtering the gear oil?

Post by **jimmy57** » 07 Aug 2011, 09:03

Two bolt cover facing foward sealed with O ring. Dealer only so far as I know. The oil for the AOC is separate from the diff oil and the filter is for AOC only. Get AOC oil from dealer too.

xk150 · Post by **xk150** » 08 Aug 2011, 20:17

Just an idea... have you checked all your motor mounts... I had a bad vibration and had several bad motor mounts...
1. Mount under the crank pulley.
2. Front Hydrolic Mount under the started.
3. Mount that attached to fire wall was cracked.
4. Upper mount that sits on top of the engine can be adjusted...put a pry bar in and move the engine either forward or back... I played with mine until most of my vibration is now totally gone... only get a little bit in reverse.

Thanks