1997 850 Wagon Identify a part.

robmagiera · Post by **robmagiera** » 05 Aug 2015, 19:11

I was just given a 1997 850 Wagon. While trying to get it to run I need to clean the throttle body. I found a part on the intake elbow right at the throttle body that I never seen. It is on the back side of the elbow an has 2 small line that run under the intake manifold. I have been working on car since I was 16 and I am 38 now. And a neighbor who knows a lot about car have never seen this part before. With out a photo of it can someone tell me what it is.

Thank you in advance

Post by **dosbricks** » 05 Aug 2015, 20:41

Welcome to MVS, Rob. It used to be called the flame trap, but is essentially a fitting where the line to the PCV system vents crankcase fumes back up to the throttle body to be burned. The smaller line runs under the intake manifold to a vacuum port on the left and helps draw those fumes up to the TB.

This forum will provide assistance in getting your car running, if you have any further questions.

Post by **jimmy57** » 05 Aug 2015, 21:16

You probably worked on cars with a PCV valve stuck in a valve cover. The PCV valve was sucked up by vacuum and under high throttle when there is no vacuum the crankcase pressure would lift the metal "bullet" in the PCV valve.

On some cars there is no PCV valve. The vapors in crankcase are pulled out by vacuum and when no vacuum is made the crankcase vents in front of throttle Or other upstream location where it can be pulled into intake. The reason the fitting is called a flame trap is that in some rare cases there could be an intake backfire and the pressure from that should go to crankcase and cause an explosion of the possibly fuel rich crankcase vapors. The insert in flame trap suppresses the flame travel. A pcv valve "bullet" would be blown onto seat and close in the same circumstance and do the same.

robmagiera · Post by **robmagiera** » 06 Aug 2015, 19:43

Thank you guys. I have found this Forum awesome. I got picked my 850 wagon for free. The previous owners thought there was something like the valve stem seals or something more difficult that would cost more then the car is worth. Al I found to be the problems is idle air valve and mass air flow to be bad causing the spark plugs to fill up with carbon can causing the car to only run for 3 to 5 mins then stall. I unplugged those to things and car runs a little rough cause they are unplugged but it runs better now then when they owned it. Once again thanks I will probably be post more topic. This is my first import car, an I can tell this car has a few item that look totally different then what I am use to.

Post by **FLXC90** » 07 Aug 2015, 09:05

Welcome to the forum, and to Volvos. Volvo use some great engineering...and some weak choices in vendors occasionally. Your 850 wagon is more strengths than weaknesses. Cruise around through the forum and the repair database, you'll probably find everything you need to get your car running well.
get a basic repair manual to compare things, and you'll figure out all the lingo, where things are etc...

Have fun with your free car!