Low power until 2000 r/min (XC70, 2003, automatic, diesel)

schnauzl · Post by **schnauzl** » 29 Sep 2016, 13:23

Hey guys, this is my first post so go easy on me!

I just bought a cheap volvo XC70 (2003, automatic diesel) and I'm amazed of how beautiful the car is, and of how nicely it runs. 120 000 miles.

However, I´ve noticed that when taking off in junctions or at STOP signs, the acceleration is really slow. Even if I give it full throttle it wont go rapidly. Once RPM hits around 2000 it rapidly gains a lot of energy and proceeds to work normally.

I've checked the transmission fluid and it looks pink. It does not smell sweet (as I read somewhere that it should), it´s more of a very weak burned smell very weak).

I have also put some diesel injector cleaner in to see if that will help at all.

So, I have tried to search the forum for similiar problems on this model car and I have not found any.

What do you think it could be?

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 29 Sep 2016, 14:20

That's normal I believe. If the D5 turbo is anything like the VW TDIs then it will create very little boost under ~2000 rpm, at which point it hits a threshold and starts to work much more efficiently. What's more, it is bad for the engine to ask it to produce power below this threshold. The exhaust at low rpms can get sort of clogged up at the turbo and put too much pressure on it. Instead, drive with a light foot below 2000 rpms, and only accelerate hard at higher rpms. High rpms are not bad for your engine, they are a good thing! Rev that sucker up and drive it like you stole it...once in a while. Do this if you want it to last a long time, otherwise if you lug the engine around at low rpms it will actually be harder on it.

schnauzl · Post by **schnauzl** » 30 Sep 2016, 09:10

Ok, thank you for your response! The problem with driving on low RPMs is the it doesn't really shift very effectively. Under 2000 it has a hard time choosing which gear to use, even though I try to be as easy on the throttle as possible.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 30 Sep 2016, 17:26

That's tough, it is hard to get it to do what you want with the automatic. I suppose maybe you could reset the transmission learning thing and drive a little more aggressively for a few days to teach it to shift at higher rpms?

schnauzl · Post by **schnauzl** » 02 Oct 2016, 02:59

That sounds like a plan. I've come to a second conclusion aswell, I've never had an automatic before, and I suppose I've been thinking "manual transmission" all the time, I've tried driving it a little more aggressively and it seems to work better. It's like I've understood how the car would like to be driven. Thanks for your help.

Ps. (Where is the reset function?)

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 03 Oct 2016, 11:01

I think you need a VIDA device, or dealer tool to reset it.

Also, regardless of what the fluid looks and smells like, if the trans fluid has never been changed it should be done asap.

schnauzl · Post by **schnauzl** » 05 Oct 2016, 14:30

zanzabar wrote:I think you need a VIDA device, or dealer tool to reset it.

Also, regardless of what the fluid looks and smells like, if the trans fluid has never been changed it should be done asap.

Thanks. I'm gonna check that out too!

schnauzl · Post by **schnauzl** » 25 Oct 2016, 11:28

zanzabar wrote:I think you need a VIDA device, or dealer tool to reset it.

Also, regardless of what the fluid looks and smells like, if the trans fluid has never been changed it should be done asap.

So I've flushed the transmission, and it runs great. During the flush the fluid cooling system began to leak but I've got it under control.

However the slow take off still remains, maybe it's an intercooler problem? The turbo seems fine, and I've changed the rubber hoses between it, and the air filter.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 25 Oct 2016, 15:06

You should perhaps try to monitor boost levels with a gauge. Watching the boost psi (or maybe bar for you in Finland?) would tell you whether the turbo is maybe not producing the pressure it should be at low rpms.