2002 XC70 Loss of power

[mbonny]

Hi Guys,

I posted a little while back about an error P0443 code on my Volvo. The shop fixed that issue by replacing one sensor ($60 for a second hand one). However the Volvo is still missing a LOT of power.

I put in my ODBII dongle last night and the Torque app (Android). While driving home I notice the following behaviour which to me doesn't seem right. I would really love some feedback.

1) When driving keeping my foot at what feels like 80% throttle, I noticed that the Throttle indicator on the Torque app showed 100%. More tests show that the first 30% seems OK. But anything after that just jumps to 100% or spikes.

2) Driving up a long hill, 3rd (auto), 80Km/h, 4000rpm, 80% Throttle. No Boost? The Torque app shows that the car has just the smallest amount of Vacuum ???

Have done about 200Km since the service, and no check engine lights. But this car is still not right.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated, I cant take it back to the shop till next Tuesday.

[abscate]

Do you have any codes? Usually codes will inhibit boost by cutting it off

[mbonny]

The Purge Valve was the item replaced.

Following codes listed on the job sheet:
ECM-4000 (Cannister Purge Valve)
ECM-4007 (Evap system)
CCM-0017 (direction control damper motor)
CCM-008 (sun sensor)
CCM-003 (fan pass/compartment temp/sensor)

10x other fault codes (not listed on sheet).

Checked with my cheap ODBII and it doesn't show anything.

[mbonny]

This car is the gift that just keeps giving.

This morning I started the car in my driveway (about a 15deg slope, nose down), car idled for about 4 min... then just stopped and refused to start.

25% fuel left, 220Km till empty.

I thought that I would try my luck and put another 5L (1 Gallon) of fuel in it to see what happens...

Starts just fine.

Another thing on the list for the mechanic to fix.

I paid $5800 for the car (115,000Km). Looks like it is going to be around $4000+ worth of repairs.

This is a world apart from my S60T (2001), that didn't miss a beat the whole time I owned it (72,000 -> 117,000)

[abscate]

Sounds like the failed transfer pump between the two tanks ...your XC tank is split by the drive shafts so that the bottom halves cant talk to each other. There is a pump that moves fuel from one side to the other that will give you the symptoms you described.

These cars run 300000km easily and cost 50000 USD new. Even with your expensive repairs, you are way ahead of buying new. If you do the work yourself, you are driving a Rolls on a Smart car budget

[mbonny]

Update on my trip to the mechanic:

The major performance issue was a combination of things, but mainly the fact that when the timing belt was changed... it was 1 tooth out.

This prompted the original mechanic to then "tweak" the timing. Making the car run but certainly not correctly.

The Throttle Position Sensor was also broken.

The previous mechanic also was not very good at servicing many other things... including (but not limited to)
1) Machining the rear discs past their minimum
2) Not correctly replacing a ball joint

I had to replace the steering rack, control arms and LH stub axle too.