'98 V70 XC - Two problems,

mindshadow · Post by **mindshadow** » 13 Jan 2014, 08:40

Well, the coolant light went off. Probably a bad sensor. Not a huge issue.

The CEL has been on, but it's always the same stuff - P0455 and P0410. Didn't change once the hard start began. It wasn't hard to start until the last trip to the mechanic. That trip was for a big oil leak. I'm wondering if I have some buildup in the PCV system, and maybe I'm due for another change. I tried Seafoam about a year ago, but I think it knocked some stuff loose that clogged up some lines. I'd love to Seafoam it again, or maybe try a tad of ATF in the oil to get the same effect, but I'm afraid of creating another clog.

I guess the rings are a possibility. The car just smoked upon the initial take-off (when I first accelerate in the morning) before the last trip to the mechanic. Now it does it upon starting up, and then the initial takeoff. I've not checked behind the car after it warms up to see if it's still smoking. Might do that when I get home today.

The last mechanic I went to wasn't my normal mechanic - was feeling around to try to find someone else because I like to keep my options open. So far, I'm not pleased. Yeah, my oil isn't leaking anymore, but shit just seems worst in general. The car sounds a tad different, in my opinion. It's almost like it's got a bit of an exhaust leak or something - sounds more... throaty, if that makes sense. But I've looked all over, even from under the car, and everything looks connected. Who knows. I can get a video of it if you guys are interested. They did supposedly replace the spark plugs, so I wonder if they either didn't gap the plugs right or dicked something up along the way.

Hope I replied to everyone as best as I can. There's a lot here (which is why you guys are awesome). I may try the heavier oil that was recommended when I do my next oil change. Which makes me wonder if when they fixed the oil leak if they put regular dino oil in, which may not be playing nice with the turbo.

So, right now this is my plan of action: check for blue smoke after the car warms up, check the spark plugs, put some new oil in. Should I bother with Seafoam if I'm going to replace the oil, or am I running the risk of making things worse?

Post by **kcodyjr** » 13 Jan 2014, 08:45

Don't throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Test the compression.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:28

I guess the rings are a possibility. The car just smoked upon the initial take-off (when I first accelerate in the morning) before the last trip to the mechanic. Now it does it upon starting up, and then the initial takeoff. I've not checked behind the car after it warms up to see if it's still smoking. Might do that when I get home today.

Nope, sounds like bad valve stem seals.

ALL of these cars will have this problem at some point (mine does a blue puff too).

That's what's making it hard to start too...oil doesn't burn as easily with a spark as gasoline.

Pull the spark plugs and see if they're fouled with oil.

mindshadow · Post by **mindshadow** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:35

If it's the valve stem seals, that's a big deal to fix, right?

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:38

mindshadow wrote:If it's the valve stem seals, that's a big deal to fix, right?

It's quite a lot of work...but will ultimately lead to a burnt valve if ignored.

https://sites.google.com/site/incarvalv ... s/write-up

Here's one way...another is to completely remove/rebuild the head with new valves, etc.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:54

It's a head job. No sense taking it off and only changing the stem seals.

mindshadow · Post by **mindshadow** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:58

Poop. That's way above my skillset or patience. Hopefully that's not the problem.

mindshadow · Post by **mindshadow** » 19 Jan 2014, 18:14

Update time.

I did some investigating today. Took the plugs out. No oil on any of them, but found a problems. One, they were there NGK iridium plugs, which I understand can make this car unhappy. Secondly, they were gapped to something like .032" instead of .028". I regapped all of the plugs, so we'll see how that goes.

I'm not 100% sure the vacuum hoses/PCV system hoses are right. I could have swore that the PTC nipple (the one behind the fuel rail/intake manifold on the passenger side of the car) connected to the circled area in the first image, but instead it connects to the circled area in the second image. Is that right? I couldn't really figure out where the hose from the nipple was going off to. Links are below.

Flame trap connection

Where it connects

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Jan 2014, 22:45

Throw out the iridums and replace them with coppers. Boosted cars just seem to hate platinum/iridium plugs - I threw out the ones in the Chevy too and it runs much better, and the Volvo couldn't stand a set of platinums I stupidly tried.

You're showing two different hoses. I can't tell if fat one at the one at the back of the engine is connected or not - it looks like it may be broken from here?

The one up front you're showing is an EVAP system hose - it connects to a check valve on the radiator shroud and a charcoal canister from the other end.

mindshadow · Post by **mindshadow** » 20 Jan 2014, 00:00

Yeah, I was just showing where the host started and ended. I'm really sure the first picture is supposed to be connected to the PTC nipple behind the intake manifold on the passenger side, right?

That would probably explain the car running like butt on startup.