94 850 Turbo - Driveability & Pwr Loss Issues! - UPDATE

sam1 · Post by **sam1** » 04 Jan 2008, 03:57

Hey everyone,

I'm frustrated with my car and will be taking it to a local Volvo specialist soon. It's a 1994 850 Turbo (150,000 kms) and a Canadian model. If anyone can shed some light on the issues below, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here's what my car does:

1) When I accelerate, with anything more than light throttle, the RPM's seem to get stuck, and the car stops accelerating. At the same time, the Turbo gauge is in the white zone, about 3/4 the way through. The same goes if I try to give it more gas to pass. I always have to back off the throttle to keep the car moving. Sometimes it's so bad, that I can hardly go up a hill with any speed! It's as if there's a fuel cut-off or something. Is something wrong with my TURBO?

2) In Neutral or Park the car revs up fine, but the revs don't fall quick. They take a few seconds to return to idle!

3) When I accelerate from a stop, there is hardly any power. It won't chirp the wheels, or anything! It feels as if it's starting in 2nd gear, and accelerates way to slow. No, it's not in winter mode.

4) Sometimes after driving for a long time (at least half an hour) and turn off the car for 15-20 minutes, the car will run like crap after I start it up again. It does go away after about 5 minutes.

5) Strangely, the car doesn't start up as quick as it should. It's not below 0 Celcius here. It takes a few seconds of cranking for the engine to turn-over. Tuning up the car didn't help!

To try to fix the above issues, I have changed my spark plugs to NGK platinums, new distributor cap & rotor, new air filter, cleaned the MAF, and a brand new Fuel filter. None of these helped the problem, but did help in more pick-up. I checked for leaks in all the visible hoses - found nothing.

The previous owner had changed one of the O2 sensors, and the fuel pump ( so he claims). My guess is that the problem lies with the fuel pump, as it could be a crappy/cheap one, or improperly installed, or even on it's way out.

The check-engine light is on, but the old owner says that it was the O2 sensor, which he replaced, but was unable to clear the code.

Please help!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 04 Jan 2008, 05:47

Go to the underhood diagnostic boxes and read - and then clear - the codes from port A-2.

Detailed instructions are here.

http://volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

...Lee

sam1 · Post by **sam1** » 04 Jan 2008, 07:24

I did that. Too many codes, as some are old. I wasn't able to delete the codes. But thanks for that link. The instructions on that link are different (for clearing codes) than the instructions I found elsewhere. I will give it another try. It also showed me how to check other codes, besides Check Engine Light. Do you know of a good link for the applicable codes for my vehicle?

Just wondering if anyone has encountered some of these problems I had, which would help save some time and frustration. As we all know, not all issues end up throwing a code.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Jan 2008, 07:56

http://volvospeed.com/maintenance.shtml Look under "General Information" There are at least 3 links there for trouble codes (Transmission, engine and ABS). Good luck!

Post by **tailor** » 04 Jan 2008, 13:50

We have a our own very complete list here @ Matthews, look no further.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?t=10758

Tailor

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Jan 2008, 14:23

Good point, Tailor....I keep forgetting about those (so used to using the other)....and thanks for the ECC update back in Dec.

sam1 · Post by **sam1** » 06 Jan 2008, 05:47

Hey guys,

I checked the codes and found the following:

231 (Long term fuel trim, part load) &

414 (Boost pressure regulation)

What do you think the problem is when those codes are showing? It seems to be what I suspected (Fuel & Turbo related issues).

Those codes in turn also threw every misfire code possible for a Volvo 850.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Jan 2008, 09:01

These are typical codes for one of two problems....a fairly large vacuum leak usually BEFORE the turbo (check your accordion hose for a hole or rip) or a MAF Sensor going out. If you find no leaks you could try cleaning the MAF following directions on this board. Less likely but air leaks in the turbo hose after the turbo could also bring up these codes, so check all of them including the little "finger" hose near the throttle body (under the throttle cable cover) that connects to the idle air control valve (IAC). Good luck!

sam1 · Post by **sam1** » 10 Jan 2008, 05:08

Time for an Update!!!

Turns out all my problems were related to a crappy fuel pump as well as a torn/cracked vacuum hose close to the throttle body, that goes somewhere near the turbo. The vacuum hose was replaced first, and didn't really make much of a difference, except for clearing one of the codes.

The fuel pump was just changed 6 months ago. So basically, the fuel pump started acting up within a few months. It was a WALBRO fuel pump. What a piece of crap. People, when a particular brand is a lot cheaper than other brands, it would be a good idea to take caution. But, who knows, maybe the previous owner ran it low on fuel often - he did seem cheap.

Anyway, the fuel pump (Walbro) wasn't replaced when I had the car. The previous owner had it done and spent over $700.00 including labour!!! Outrageous- right? Especially considering how the fuel pump is fairly easy for a shop to replace, and the price of Walbro should be under $300.00 here in Canada. The Walbro fuel pump was still under warranty, BUT the warranty only applies for 1 year, and during the same ownership. Since I just bought the vehicle, the warranty is NULL & VOID for me.

I've never seen a fuel pump like this that would keep running, but not working well - like it was in LIMP Mode 24/7. Even my mechanic was shocked.

I did my research on this site, and decided on paying the extra $90.00 and buying a BOSCH fuel pump rather than a HELLA, or even another brand. My new fuel pump installed cost me $420.00 (Installed and including taxes).

My car runs PERFECTLY, as if it was brand new. After the complete tune-up and new fuel pump, man this thing HAULS @SS! I never got to experience the power of this car before. I really love it. I do get a lot of torque steer when I punch the pedal to the floor, during passing.

I would like to thank everyone for helping and advising me with all my car issues. In return, I would like to advise you all again never to buy a WALBRO fuel pump and pay the extra $$$ for hopeful quality.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Jan 2008, 16:08

Thanks for your update and suggestions (advise).

You don't know how nice it is for you to do this. So many come here, ask for advise and we never hear back from them again.