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1998 V70R PO172 Fine under idle, dies under load

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

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eyeballumbrella
Posts: 26
Joined: 8 February 2009
Year and Model: 1998 V70R
Location: Massachusetts

1998 V70R PO172 Fine under idle, dies under load

Post by eyeballumbrella »

So my car has been acting really funny. I pulled a po172 code recently and have been having issues with the driveability of the car. Whenever I try to give it almost any throttle under load the car wants to die on me. I have replaced the front o2 sensor and checked the cat. I also have cleaned the MAF sensor, but none of this has solved my problem. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

Code P0172 is usually caused by a vacuum leak and the usual suspect is the elbow on the end of the intake manifold that ties back to the intake snorkel. It is part of the PCV system.

P0172, however, usually doesn't cause any driveability issues though so you may have more than one thing going on. Check all of the vacuum lines from the TCV as well since they can cause both problems if one of the lines is bad.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

ThommyKent
Posts: 191
Joined: 30 November 2012
Year and Model: 91 245 97 850 T5
Location: Bellevue WA USA
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Post by ThommyKent »

Sounds like plug wires. My `97 T5 would idle fine and under almost any load would want to die. Plug wires were the problem. When they get old they start to leak voltage between each other and when load is applied it get`s worse. Sometimes you can start the car at night and see flashes between wires when the engine is revved while looking under the hood, Volvo date stamps their wires so if the date is most likely the same year as the car it`s time to replace them. Don`t use anything other than Volvo OEM Bougicord wires. Ozark is right that PO172 is not your problem

villagepc
Posts: 89
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Year and Model: 98 V70m | Stage III
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Post by villagepc »

I can verify that your car will still run with the vacuum leak Lee is talking about, and that a leak there will throw the PO172 code.

Not only check your vacuum leak, check all your intercooler pipes / clamps / etc. Its likely you have a good sized leak - either vacuum or under boost - Check all your rubber interconnects, especially the one at the throttle body - the underside of it.
____________________________________________
1998 V70 T5M R Clone | IPD / ARD Stage 3
2008 S80 3.2 - not too shabby
1991 740 Turbo - 2.5" lift, 100% madness

eyeballumbrella
Posts: 26
Joined: 8 February 2009
Year and Model: 1998 V70R
Location: Massachusetts

Post by eyeballumbrella »

I don't believe that plug wires are the issue because I replaced them with bougicord wires about a year ago. I looked at the intercooler hoses and couldn't find any issues with them. I will take another look though. Also I just pulled the plugs and the outside two were fouled with carbon from running rich and the inner three were fouled, but not as bad as the outside two. Does that mean anything?

kahl
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Post by kahl »

You did'nt say the mileage and age of plugs, rotor and cap. Had a similar performance issue on a 99 V 70. Finally found the short 90 degree turbo hose going into the intercooler was collapsing under heavy or high boost.

Reys
Posts: 67
Joined: 7 October 2009
Year and Model: 850T estate '96
Location: British Columbia, Canada

Post by Reys »

Check small rubber line after pulling fuel pump. They slide down after years of vibration. Easy to do, common on these cars. Inspect/clean/replace pump sock while your in there. I suggest anyone with acceleration issues to check this first before replacing parts unless codes tell you otherwise.

Reys
Posts: 67
Joined: 7 October 2009
Year and Model: 850T estate '96
Location: British Columbia, Canada

Post by Reys »

Check small rubber line after pulling fuel pump. They slide down after years of vibration. Easy to do, common on these cars. Inspect/clean/replace pump sock while your in there. I suggest anyone with acceleration issues to check this first before replacing parts unless codes tell you otherwise.

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