Questions about RIP kits and freezing problems

[DutchSasquatch]

Hi everyone, this is my first post in this forum, so I apologize if it needs to go somewhere else.

So I was interested in installing a R.I.P. kit on my car (99 v70 GLT). However I am concerned about freezing issues in the winter, I live in Vermont where temps can get as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit, or even lower. I know that Volvo had had their own factory RIP kits on the early P80 cars, but switched to the current less efficient piping due to (I think) throttle body freezing problems.

My question is, Will an aftermarket RIP kit cause the same problems volvo had with their factory RIP kit in the cold nordic/northeast temps?

Any info, or experiences you guys could share would be great, thanks!

[abscate]

The only time I ever iced was stuck in slow speed winter traffic in Providence , running at about 30 mph in the T5

I,started to get throttle body codes and rough idling. Once I got back to pike speeds and mild boost, the problem disappeared.

Reverse Induction Piping in Vermont, up North? Yikes , no.

[Cookeh]

In sunny old Britain, where we rarely see temperatures below -15 F in winter, we still experience throttle body icing and so do not recommend RIP kits for people who use their cars during winter.

-30 F? Wouldn't dream of it. The aftermarket kits will also experience the same issues as the original design.

[abscate]

It’s the humidity as well as the temp, but -30F is darn cold, and I bet that will cause problems.

I wonder if you could buy flex hoses and shift them summer/ winter?

[scot850]

The problem is more with the intercooler freezing with humidity and oil that has got in there from worn turbo seals.

I have posted several times that we can get the intercooler frozen here which can prevent the engine getting enough air to run at all in really bad cases and just have no power to move if they do run. You have to let them warm up to be able to drive them.

Volvo used to sell a plastic cover for the upper grille which kept the engine bay warmer and help reduce the throttle body issues.

Here we use the 'Saskatchewan' grille cover ( a piece of cardboard zip-tied behind the grille) to keep the engine bay warmer. Do not run at above +10C or it could cause overheating.

This is where the NA engine is better as it has the pre-heat pipe from the exhaust manifold to the intake and no intercooler to freeze.

A block heater may help. The OE ones are getting hard to find but are basically a hot block attached to the back of the engine block. Not really great but help but not with the intercooler freeze issue. One of the pan heaters under the front area of the car would help and even one of the stick on oil pan heaters.

Neil.

[abscate]

I wonder if one could reverse the fan polarity and push warm radiator air through the intercooler ?

[Cookeh]

That cardboard grill cover actually exists as a Volvo part, to deal with that exact issue. Its a piece of black plastic that clips into the grill and blocks off around 66% of it, if my memory serves me correctly.

[scot850]

It did exist. I checked a few years ago for the P80, even asked my brother in Sweden to check it out but nothing. If they are available that would be good to know. Hopefully we will have the new garage built before winter so at least while the cars are at home it will not be such a big issue.

Neil.

[DutchSasquatch]

Ok, thanks guys, it sounds like reverse piping is a BIG no go for me, unless I feel like switching pipes back and forth every season, but that's probably unrealistic. I appreciate everyones replies. stay warm this winter, I know I probably wont!

[wizechatmgr]

Could always do the poor man's hack... Piece of pizza box in front of the intercooler =) Change weekly when you order your new pie.

I had mine ice once. Think we were ~-10-15 f at the time. My car doesn't have a garage to sun in, yet =)