volvo 850 advice

itsnotavolevo · Post by **itsnotavolevo** » 14 Aug 2012, 13:13

recently i noticed my 95 850glt non turbo picked up the bad habit of smoking after it has been idling for a short time. the smoke comes out almost a whitish blue when you begin to accelerate again. thought it might be the PCV needing serviced or cleaned. after a few weeks of not being able to get a PCV from the auto store it started to start really hard (almost like my battery went dead but after some time of turning with the key it started right up; sometimes i would have to put in my radio code and sometimes i don't). then last night i get in my car to leave work and it wouldn't start. so i turned the key a couple times like always and its still not starting. i popped my hood to get a little help from a friend and while he was turning the key for a good time it wanted to start but after putting it in the off position the engine kind of cleared it self out letting a couple cylinders fire and smoke came out the intake. after a few more tries i got it running and had to keep the RPMs high or else it would stall out. after getting it home i scanned it and only one code came up p0730 incorrect gear ratio.

does anyone have any advice for me or things i should check? where is the PCV and what does it look like? PLEASE HELP I DON'T WANT MY VOLVO TO DIE!

Post by **rmmagow** » 14 Aug 2012, 14:08

PCV is a big deal on these engines. Pull your oil dipstick, if smoke comes out, PCV is clogged and will need to be repaired. This is a guess, the P0730 might be related to the PNP switch, let others confirm. Check your radiator overflow tank for bubbling while engine is running. No good if it does that. Check you oil dipstick for milkish looking dseposits too. Leaky valve guides can cause these symptoms, although they shouldn't actually cause the car not to start.

Post by **rspi** » 14 Aug 2012, 14:19

It sounds like you have several problems. First being a bad weak battery. You really don't say that the car cranks every time. Then you may have a burnt valve which is a major problem. If you try to start the car several times and it doesn't start, then it finally starts, it will blow smoke everywhere.

How often do you do oil changes. If I were you, I'd get a new battery or the one you have charged. Then I would start the car and see if it stays running. If it does not, I would do a compression test. Post back after that.
http://www.atthetipwebs.com/technologyi ... n_test.htm

The P0730 code is the start of transmission problems. When driving the car, was the UP shift arrow on? Was it flashing?