1996 850 (base model) PCV system

boxycar · Post by **boxycar** » 02 Apr 2014, 10:32

So I want to start off by saying this website has been a great resource and you are all so very helpful! thank you so much

I bought an 850 with only 70,000 miles on it (about 1 year ago). It is in great condition and true mileage (no broken odometer).

the car has the symptoms of a PCV fail, the oil dipstick blows out smoke and there is always oil being shot-out from through the oil cap. Every time I open the hood there's always oil stains around the cap and I even bought a new gasket/o-ring for it.

should this car be having a PCV problem at only 84,000 miles? Could it be something else? I don't want to spend the money on a kit and replace it to find out it didn't solve the issue.

To add to this the car is very weak going uphills, on the freeway up a large hill it can go past 65 unless I go over 3,500 RPM. The car always felt like it was lacking in power, almost as if there is an air bubble in the engine (metaphorically speaking) that holds it back from maximum pressure.

I'm basically asking if anyone else has experienced these issues with an 850 with low mileage.

I would love to hear your suggestions, once again thank you for the pages upon pages of resources!

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2014, 10:47

If the car only has 80,000 miles then there is a good chance most of them are from short trips. Short trips clog up the PCV much, much faster than highway miles. There is a very good chance the PCV is clogged.

The poor performance could be from a vacuum leak, which might figured out during PCV service. I would start with the PCV, then see where it is at.

Is this car a turbo or non-turbo?

boxycar · Post by **boxycar** » 02 Apr 2014, 11:09

This car is not a turbo, it is the base model. Ok that's good to know, it probably is clogged then.

My next question was, where should I buy a kit from? IPD? FCP? or are those crap? i don't mind spending more money for the genuine Volvo parts from the dealer but is it really worth it?

Post by **mecheng** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:12

Have you checked the plugs and air filter?

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:22

mecheng makes a good point it could need tune-up parts ...

For PCV it is imperative you don't buy cheapo hoses, they will rot out in no time. However you can spend much less by following this DIY guide, you really only need to get three hoses from Volvo:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=53448

The thread is long but has great info in it. Be sure to read some of the later posts - for the bulk hoses, don;t buy the thin-walled stuff you are better off with heavy duty hoses.

boxycar · Post by **boxycar** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:23

mecheng wrote:Have you checked the plugs and air filter?

I changed the spark plugs and the spark plug wires as soon as I bought the car and that did make it run smoother and nicer. The air filter has been changed before as well. All of these changes gave the car a marginal increase in performance.

boxycar · Post by **boxycar** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:35

erikv11 wrote:mecheng makes a good point it could need tune-up parts ...

For PCV it is imperative you don't buy cheapo hoses, they will rot out in no time. However you can spend much less by following this DIY guide, you really only need to get three hoses from Volvo:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=53448

The thread is long but has great info in it. Be sure to read some of the later posts - for the bulk hoses, don;t buy the thin-walled stuff you are better off with heavy duty hoses.

Very good read! so basically i would be replacing the main hoses with a bigger and thicker multipurpose hose, very nice.

Would it really hurt to replace all the other parts or would it be a waste at 84,000miles?

Post by **rmmagow** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:41

All the other parts in the PCV system? I'd do it just because. You're in there and then there'd be no nagging questions in your mind later. Hell, at 84,000 you're not even broken in yet! I'd go completely through the car. If it is an automatic, change the fluid per drain and fills or pump-n-dump as outlined here. This car can run forever with a little preventative maintenance.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Apr 2014, 13:44

I agree with rmmagow. I was saying replace everything but the oil trap itself. But you can replace it too, buy a cheapie if you can it is just a plastic box, and be done with it.

boxycar · Post by **boxycar** » 02 Apr 2014, 14:47

I definitely will do a whole system change then and definitely planning to change the tranny fluid as well. Thanks a lot for the info guys! I will let you know how it goes.