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98 S70 non turbo loss of power

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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45DegreesPDX
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Joined: 25 February 2018
Year and Model: 1998 S70
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: 98 S70 non turbo loss of power

Post by 45DegreesPDX »

Just pulled out the spark plugs, and I'll definitely be replacing them.
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I also noticed a crack in my alternator, think this could be an issue? I'll definitely replace it, just trying to see if it might be a source of my symptoms.
Inked20180226_175418[282]_LI.jpg

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WhatAmIDoing
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

Yeah, those spark plugs are pretty well toasted. How do your plug wires look? That crack is definitely not good. With the engine running, check the voltage of the battery with a volt meter. If it's under 12.5V, the alternator is likely not supplying adequate power. And make sure you pull the distributor and check that as well.
'98 S70 T5M - 323,000mi - awaiting heart transplant :shock:
'98 V70 T5M - 324,000mi - my new project
'99 S70 "AWD" - 220,000+mi - gone :cry:
Knows enough to be dangerous :wink:

45DegreesPDX
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Post by 45DegreesPDX »

The plug wires look okay, nothing too out of the ordinary, but I figured I'll replace them anyways while I've got everything taken apart. I'll be able to check the cap either later tonight or tomorrow. Am I looking for dirt and grime or just damage in particular?

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WhatAmIDoing
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

You are looking for dirt, evidence of arcing (google arcing in distributor), and wear on the pins and rotor. Post a picture if you can and we'll tell you whether it looks good. I'm guessing it's probably time to replace.
'98 S70 T5M - 323,000mi - awaiting heart transplant :shock:
'98 V70 T5M - 324,000mi - my new project
'99 S70 "AWD" - 220,000+mi - gone :cry:
Knows enough to be dangerous :wink:

45DegreesPDX
Posts: 16
Joined: 25 February 2018
Year and Model: 1998 S70
Location: Portland, Oregon
Has thanked: 1 time

Post by 45DegreesPDX »

Yeah, it looks likes its time to replace these.
20180226_225635[288].jpg
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20180226_225529[290].jpg

Also, when I was taking off the airbox, I accidentally broke what I think is the preheat hose that connects to it. Is this easy to replace that I can do myself with some clamps?


Thanks for all your help!!

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FLXC90
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Post by FLXC90 »

Yeah, plugs, cap and rotor could stand replacement. The crack on the alternator is just on the plastic ring though, right? If so, not critical
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

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WhatAmIDoing
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

I agree with FLXC90. Time for a tune up: new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. Only use Volvo, Bosch, and/or Bougicord (wires) for these parts. FCP sells some good tuneup kits using OE parts.
45DegreesPDX wrote: 27 Feb 2018, 00:38 Also, when I was taking off the airbox, I accidentally broke what I think is the preheat hose that connects to it. Is this easy to replace that I can do myself with some clamps?
You mean the rubber elbow that connects to the white line? I have a turbo, so not sure what all hoses run to/near the NA airbox. Picture would help.
'98 S70 T5M - 323,000mi - awaiting heart transplant :shock:
'98 V70 T5M - 324,000mi - my new project
'99 S70 "AWD" - 220,000+mi - gone :cry:
Knows enough to be dangerous :wink:

45DegreesPDX
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Post by 45DegreesPDX »

No it's silver and rigid. Looks similar to a dryer hose connection and connects behind the engine near the firewall to the exhaust system. I'll post a picture tonight.

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

Broke preheat hose is of no consequence, take your time on it, and yes you can easily DIY replace this no-clamp hose. You can get a generic replacement from Autozone or similar (I know they have them at Advance Auto and O-Reilly's, around here).

For where you live in Portland OR, you could also just throw away the preheat hose and inside the air box wedge the flap permanently to the "cold" (outside) air side.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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WhatAmIDoing
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Post by WhatAmIDoing »

45DegreesPDX wrote: 27 Feb 2018, 16:12 No it's silver and rigid. Looks similar to a dryer hose connection and connects behind the engine near the firewall to the exhaust system. I'll post a picture tonight.
Oh that hose. I wouldn't even worry about it. It's hardly important. Should be easy and cheap DIY fix.
'98 S70 T5M - 323,000mi - awaiting heart transplant :shock:
'98 V70 T5M - 324,000mi - my new project
'99 S70 "AWD" - 220,000+mi - gone :cry:
Knows enough to be dangerous :wink:

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