2002 Intermittent rough idle, cam seal noise, great performance

superfeed · Post by **superfeed** » 21 Dec 2015, 08:50

Good People,

I have a 2002 S80, normally aspirated, 150K. My daughter is driving it while at school, and back and forth to home (10 hours away).

The idle is intermittently very rough, but acceleration and performance is great.

I replaced the PCV breather and hoses when I got the car from sister a couple of years ago.

There is noise when accelerating, but it does sound different from the high pitched whine that accompanied the PCV being clogged.

The noise is kind of a whirring sound.

I saw mention that other S80 owners had the PCV box fail in a different manner, that is a torn internal diaghram.

Can anyone comment on this, please?

Ther care is in nice shape mechanically, the suspension has been gone through front and back, and other than this it runs well.

A bit afraid to go to the dealer, I would like to keep this one going cheaply -my daughter another year and a half to go with school, and my second r will be starting shortly thereafter...

Thanks,
John Gregory
Portage, MI

superfeed · Post by **superfeed** » 23 Dec 2015, 06:29

Internet research is leading me to believe a bad diaghram in the PCV is causing the problem.

Been going on for a while, dont know how I missed this possible solution during my previous hours of searching

I have one on order from Maple Hill in Kalamazoo and should install it over the next day or two. They said it was VIN dependent for the 2002 year. Of course I knew mine would be the more expensive part.

Merry Christmas, Vovlo family. Enjoy life, every moment.

Will keep you posted!

Thanks,
John

superfeed · Post by **superfeed** » 24 Dec 2015, 13:06

Good People,

Replaced the PCV - Still intermittent rough idle and some whirring noise which is rpm related.

I wonder if the original failure of the PCV box when I received the car 3 years ago damaged the cam seals and now they have failed. Could bad seals cause a rough idle? Should there be a vacuum in the valve cover area of the head? I popped the oil fill cap and the pressure seems to equal the outside environment. A rubber glove neither inflated or was sucked in. This was however, when the idle was normal.

After replacing the PCV box, I took the car for a 4 or 5 mile drive the rough idle was present almost immediately and until I brought it back to the driveway (groan...). Upon return and popping the hood the idle was very stable. I sprayed around the intake manifold and around the engine compartment with some ether, but could not affect any change in the idle.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
John

superfeed · Post by **superfeed** » 28 Dec 2015, 16:23

Running out of time and weather is bad!!!

I took the car to the dealer.

Dealer said the plugs were bad, replaced the plugs but said it didn't fix the problem. Said they checked coils and other items, but their good mechanic is out until mid Jan. Said they suspect vacuum leak.. lol

Will pick up the car tomorrow and continue to evaluate...