2003 v70 D5 Vacuum engine pads mount thingy

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 22 Jan 2015, 14:05

You know when a car is a bit of a lemon when you've bought so many parts from the Volvo parts desk that the guy recognises your voice...he also asked if my car was still filling with water when it rained...scary he remembered my last problem!

OK - this weeks problem is the engine pads...those fancy vacuum engine mounts! Have tested both mounts and neither is holding ANY vacuum...being a cheapskate I bought some new vacuum hoses hoping to get lucky but no such luck so will need to swap out the mounts....the only symptom I have is a really annoying rattle which sounds like it is coming from under the dashboard....anyone know if this sounds like the mount? OK - does anyone know if this is reasonably straightforward...is there a guide somewhere for the PII....the volvo dealer also sold me an additional bracket for the rear mount - looking on the internet I found that the mount had been upgraded and that upgrade required the new bracket...is there anything else I should be replacing while I have my face under the car....I've already done the front lower gearbox torque mount....should I be doing the lower right mount at the same time?

I did the front suspension rebuild myself so I'm hoping I have the skills to tackle this one....although changing the busted inner steering rod was a royal pain...in the end I had to custom make my own tool to allow the rod to be torqued properly....I was very pleased with myself hence the comment

Post by **vtl** » 22 Jan 2015, 21:32

Vacuum engine pads? Engine pads (front and rear) can be called hydraulic at best, no vacuum there. They are more or less fine if they are not completely collapsed and touch the subframe. Right pad may be torn though, easy to check visually with right wheel off.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 23 Jan 2015, 03:58

The pads/mounts front and back on the D5 (diesel) I think have variable damping which is controlled via a vacuum feed...the vacuum (ok partial vacuum) is related to engine rpm. I've checked the vacuum hoses to the pads by replacing them which makes no difference at all. Reading on line it seems that it's important to change the pads if they no longer hold a partial vacuum as this "could" interfere with the controls on the turbo...this is just from reading online of course...my symptoms were a distinct rattle at low speeds coming from under the dash area. I've already ruled out the suspension and subframe bushes so suspicion fell on the pads/mounts. Has anyone changed these and if so was it straightforward....is there a guide somewhere online....managed to find info for the older model but not the PII.

Update....got the new pads from Mr Volvo today....did the same test as I did with the ones on the car and the new ones do hold a partial vacuum so me thinks the old ones were toast. For the test on the car I connected the new vacuum hose directly to the pad to eliminate any leaks which might be caused by the old hoses.

draser · Post by **draser** » 24 Jan 2015, 07:39

I have those type of engine mounts on my Honda. Damping is somewhat controlled by engine vacuum. Not on my S60 though... Relative to your qhestion, how hard can it be... it's just some mounts... And I'd think they should hold vac good, the new ones...

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 31 Jan 2015, 13:42

OK...Today I swapped the mounts and therefore answered my own question...turns out the mounts can knock if you've had someone working on your car who forgets to put the bottom bolt back in!

Few tips for others who may come this way....this relates to a V70 D5 which I'm assuming is more difficult...this is how I did it....of course there are many ways to cook an egg! Do the obvious...get the wheels in the air and secure the car...put a jack under the engine for support after removing the plastic guard...piece of wood would also be a good idea too. I undid the 2 front bolts on the torque mount....I also undid 2 bolts on the top support bar (couldn't be bothered to faff around with the top mount!)

Front mount...I undid the 3 bolts holding the mount bracket to the engine...lift the engine a little and you can slide this one out...(undo the lower mount bolt if you have one!)

Rear mount....bit of a pig as not a lot of room with the turbo in the way...first I undid the lower bolt under the mount...you have just enough room to get a long spanner in working from the exhaust opening. I lifted the engine slightly to take the weight. If you remove the pipe coming out of the turbo (goes to the intercooler I think) then there is just enough room to work on the 3 bolts which hold the bracket in place. It's a tight squeeze...the top bolt needs a deep socket otherwise you'll work your wrench into the turbo as the bolt comes out. Once the mount bracket bolts are out you can wiggle the whole lot out from underneath.

Refitting is the reverse of removal....I found the top bolt on the rear mount an absolute pig to get back in...I'd recommend getting this in first and then working down.

Took me about 4 hrs (gulp)...would have been 3 but for the rear mount top bolt....allow at least 30 mins for swearing.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 31 Jan 2015, 14:41

I did have one additional question....when I took off the rubber pipe which joins the turbo to the plastic intercooler pipe which goes under the engine I noticed it was soaked in oil...anyone know if this is normal behaviour? I didn't have time to fiddle around and inspect the pipe but I'm guessing it may have split? No other symptoms...the car drives fine.

draser · Post by **draser** » 31 Jan 2015, 16:47

Oil seal at turbo's leaking, not normal behavior.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 01 Feb 2015, 03:35

Poop...cheers draser....was just hoping for a split in the pipe...pants. I can't imagine that turbo is any fun to remove - there was very little room behind the engine. I did have a catastrophic oil leak a few years ago from the plug behind the dmf so was hoping it was just from that (wishful thinking). Strange but the underside of the under cover was clear. I may just change the pipe and keep an eye on it the next time I give it a service. No strange noises from the turbo...but might be just the start of the problem.

draser · Post by **draser** » 01 Feb 2015, 05:49

I'd clean the pipe and try to trace back to see where it comes from. See if it takes you to the turbo.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 01 Feb 2015, 07:46

Will do...once my motivation has returned...was a hard day yesterday. I'll update here if I find anything....is that rubber section of pipe expensive...easier for me to change it for a new one if cheap enough considering the time/effort. It's the one wrapped in some kind of fabric on the outside.....it was covered in oil from top to bottom...I should have taken a closer look when I had it off....grrrr