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Airbox thermostat failure...

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

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » Airbox Thermostat Cleaning = Better Performance, MPG on Non-turbo's
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akitawagon
Posts: 170
Joined: 30 March 2006
Year and Model: 1997 855R
Location: San Francisco <—> Seattle

Post by akitawagon »

Hey Kelvin,

Thanks for the info on the airbox thermostat. The flap/door on my airbox intake was stuck partially open so I was still getting my 30 plus miles/gallon, unlike the major mileage/performance loss you had with it fully closed.

I did the "dowel pin" modification last week to hold the door open more and it felt like another significant step up in performance with more air getting in. So with the K&N air filter, the QBM timing change and air box, my '93 is performing a lot better than when I first got it. :D It's not a turbo, but this does give NA cars more options.

Now I just have to figure out the fluttering and squeeking noises I have (no relation to the airbox change).
1998 V70 T5 223K
1997 855R 215K
1997 855R 124K KIA... distracted driver on phone
1997 855 T5 141K KIA... water pump
1996 850 GLT 160K
1995 855 GTA 325K KIA... distracted driver on phone
1993 850 GLTS 201K KIA... t-boned

Pauloil
Posts: 1038
Joined: 21 March 2006
Year and Model:
Location: davenport, IA

Post by Pauloil »

where is this part on fcpgroton site?
99 V70XC 158K

95 850glt 188K

kelvin6
Posts: 284
Joined: 23 June 2005
Year and Model:
Location: San Francisco CA

Post by kelvin6 »

If you must obtain a new part:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850fuelsystem.htm

It's $28.00.

I never said anything about actually replacing it after removal :wink: . I said jam it with some sort of spacer so that the damper would open up permanantly to the cold air side.

I'm still so happy about how this car performs now without it that i have no intention of replacing the thermostat...
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Auto

1995 Volvo 850 GLT <- RIP

ccgaudette
Posts: 35
Joined: 13 October 2006
Year and Model:
Location: Surprise, AZ, USA

Post by ccgaudette »

Mostly have to say is "me too" -- including about 2 mpg better efficiency.

I found the thermostat about 7 weeks ago. While inspecting it, it started to ooze a metallic slurry. So I just removed the whole thing, including the flap. With the weather here at 65-85

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akitawagon
Posts: 170
Joined: 30 March 2006
Year and Model: 1997 855R
Location: San Francisco <—> Seattle

Post by akitawagon »

I think if your car is operated in moderate temperatures most of time (and you don't over oil the K&N filter), opening up the airbox damper/flap is not going to do any immediate damage to your to MAF sensor.

I checked my NA wagon the other day to see if the thermostat was dead and found that the damper door was stuck in the fully open position, like someone epoxied it. One of the intake piping tabs was broken also so it looks like someone didn't want to bother replacing the thermostat. I guess this explains why my wagon always seemed to have more overall power than other NA 850s I've driven. :D

My wagon has been driven mostly in California with some snow trips in Washington and Lake Tahoe and hasn't ever had any problems or codes with the MAF failing. I've never monkeyed with the airbox before other than replacing filters and the car hasn't been to any other service place for almost two years, so I can say that I've most likely driven for two years or more with the airbox flap fully open. The K&N filter was added about a year ago.

I do not know what our friends that experience the sub zero temps will see though. They may need to have a working thermostat.
1998 V70 T5 223K
1997 855R 215K
1997 855R 124K KIA... distracted driver on phone
1997 855 T5 141K KIA... water pump
1996 850 GLT 160K
1995 855 GTA 325K KIA... distracted driver on phone
1993 850 GLTS 201K KIA... t-boned

hausmeister
Posts: 572
Joined: 22 July 2006
Year and Model: 1995 850T5-R
Location: Austria
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Post by hausmeister »

Does anyone know at which temps it should switch from cold to hot air intake?
850 T5-R '95 auto Image

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billofdurham
MVS Moderator
Posts: 6507
Joined: 2 February 2006
Year and Model: 855, 1995
Location: Durham, England
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Post by billofdurham »

Work was good - retirement is better.

1996 850GLT 2.5 20v Estate Manual.
1995 Peugeot Boxer 2.5Tdi Autosleeper.
Previously:
1984 244DL, Manual, Beige.
1987 744GLE, Manual, Green.
1991 960 3.0 24v, Auto, Silver.
1994 940T Wentworth, Auto, Blue.

luketrash
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Joined: 15 October 2006
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Location: Ames, Iowa USA
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Post by luketrash »

I drove 290 miles before refueling during this holiday trip. I'm in Iowa and the temperature was 40-60F. I got 25mpg doing about 75-80mph all the way from my place to Omaha, and then city driving in Omaha. So not too bad for a used Volvo in need of the AutoRX treatment.
'94 Gunmetal Gray 855 2.4L 100% stock. This is Volvo #7.

MadeInJapan
MVS Moderator
Posts: 13434
Joined: 31 March 2005
Year and Model: '98 S70 T5 '07S40T5
Location: Knoxville, TN American but born in Japan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

That's about what I get with combined driving. Even the little bit of driving in the city pulls the total MPG's down.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

strungtight
Posts: 7
Joined: 19 January 2007
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by strungtight »

This sight has been incredible. Since picking up my repossessed 1993 850 GLT sedan with 108,000 miles on it from some mad Russian in Pittsburgh, I have pegged the cold air flap open in the airbox, replaced the radiator and hoses, replaced the thermostat, plugs, oil, and tranny flush all on my own thanks to this site.

With the cold air flap permanently open, does the O2 sensor do anything? I noticed the O2 sensor is much easier to get to on the 1993 and I need a new one but I wont replace it if I dont need to. I have the codes for fuel trim and it just looks shot but I dont want too spend any more money than i need to at this point.

My PCV system parts will be arriving soon. Are there any DIY guidelines for this project on this or another site?

Thanks
'93 850GLT 108,000m Navy

'01 Volkswagen Eurovan Weekender

'05 Ridley Excalibur

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