Exhaust Valve and other repair question

[volvolugnut]

Look are not always a good indicator for cap and wire condition.

volvolugnut

[erikv11]

what do you mean try each injector? just unplug and start the car until I don't feel a difference to figure out which cylinder its actually on?

Yep, I'd try each one. Will tell you if you have a completely dead cylinder or just misfiring. With a burnt valves a cylinder will usually not fire at all.

To be clear though, I'd really want to compression test the engine if this doesn't sort itself out quickly and clearly.

If the wires are from Volvo they will have a date code on them, yy-ww. So 95-32 means the 32nd week of 1995 (original for your 96) whereas 15-22 would mean the 22nd week of 2015 (much better scenario!).

[MagnificentSin]

Alright some more confusing news, misfire code is gone and unplugging each injector one by one let me know I do not have a misfire, the engine seems to be running on all 5 cylinders. As for the wires the date is 03 08 so I assume it's been a bit since they were replaced.
However, the misfire code is gone and was replaced by a P0141 code for an O2 sensor, then because I had a bunch of leftover P020X codes from the injectors I cleared it.
And wait theres more, I went and drove around a bit (spiritedly of course so I could get the codes to throw, and totally not partially for fun) and now I have a single P0172 code... Am I chasing an electrical issue here or is there something that would cause this wild goose hunt?
Thanks again, Nate

[erikv11]

That's weird i posted in this thread yesterday but don't see it. Maybe I didn't hit submit.

First off I would check carefully for vacuum leaks, starting with the rubber elbow on the passenger side of the intake manifold near the thermostat. It is the main cause of P0172 on these cars. Get a flashlight and look in there. And then how is the condition of the rest of the rubber vac lines? At 25 years some or many may be crumbling. Frankly I would just replace them all if you plan to drive this car much.

[MagnificentSin]

Do you mean the one that comes with the PCV system kinda under the top of the intake? If that's it I know that elbow is fine, I did my PCV system about a month ago and most of the vacuum lines have been replaced although I will go look around for any other possible vacuum leaks. I found on the forum that a leaky ETC coolant temp sensor may also contribute to this code and I think that would be worth checking when I go out to my car again (I only go to my car once every few days, hence the long response times, I am at college and my parking lot is almost half a mile from my dorm) I have had a smell of coolant under heavy load but never see the coolant level go down, maybe they are related?

[misha]

He means on vacuum elbow at right side of intake manifold(left side when you stand in front of the car).
The one in the power steering pump area.

[shegarty]

I did my PCV system about a month ago and most of the vacuum lines have been replaced although I will go look around for any other possible vacuum leaks.

The elbow on the end of the manifold near the power steering pump is often overlooked when doing a PCV on these cars. Did this issue show up shortly after doing the PCV? I would get in there and check it, not an easy task but it can be done without removing the manifold. Also, as mentioned check all your vacuum lines - this can be done quickly by selectively spraying something flammable (throttle body cleaner or the like) around the area where you think you might have a leak. If your engine revs jump a little you've found a leak and just need to narrow it down.

[erikv11]

Do you mean the one that comes with the PCV system kinda under the top of the intake? If that's it I know that elbow is fine, I did my PCV system about a month ago and most of the vacuum lines have been replaced although I will go look around for any other possible vacuum leaks. I found on the forum that a leaky ETC coolant temp sensor may also contribute to this code and I think that would be worth checking when I go out to my car again (I only go to my car once every few days, hence the long response times, I am at college and my parking lot is almost half a mile from my dorm) I have had a smell of coolant under heavy load but never see the coolant level go down, maybe they are related?

Elbow as commented on by others; sounds like you have the right one in mind. I'd check it. Good news on the vacuum line replacements.

If you just did PCV a month ago then another prime candidate is the right side of the intake manifold gasket, at cylinder number 5. The elbow is t cylinder number 1. Really common for the IM gasket to not seal well there, either because a bracket there gets in the way of seating the manifold properly or the gasket tears.

You can also find IM gasket leaks with starting fluid as suggested, spray around the edges of the IM.

Not sure about the ECT sensor, could be related but I'm not seeing a clear connection.

Coolant smell inside the cabin is usually a leak in the heater core, in your case must be a slow leak if at all. Again don't think it is connected to this issue but could be something to get on top of.