DIY: 2005 XC90 2.5T Throttle Body Cleaning Topic is solved

[Smbray1986]

Taking the vehicle to a mechanic on Tuesday to take a look at it before investing any more money into it. I will update on what we find out. Thank you for all the help!

[Smbray1986]

Okay update, I'm feeling like this mechanic is trying to make a quick buck. According to the mechanic the vehicle needs a brand new throttle body, control module and some missing clamps for the mass air flow and then will need to be reprogrammed. He also said that we cant get the parts anywhere else but directly from volvo because they wont work.

Cost would be $2200

So is what he is telling me true? Because I'm looking up the throttle body part and find it new for our vehicle for around 100 bucks. And reprogramming it should be easy ? Just hook up the odm2 and clear it or no? We either bring the car home and try to fix it ourselves or junk it.

[chitownV]

It all really depends on what codes the mechanic is getting? Did you ask them to print out the codes?

The Volvo software (VIDA) is more detailed in getting codes vs a generic OBD2 reader. It also can see live data, communication issues between modules, and supply explanations for issues.

There may be a throttle reset that the mechanic is talking about, but some modules may need to be programmed to specific VINs. I haven’t looked into the control module since I haven’t encountered that issue. You can look up Xemodex, they are the go to company when it comes to Volvo module repairs and programming.

[Smbray1986]

Do I have an update for you... first of all I want to say thank you so much for all the help and two I am smarter then I thought I was when it comes to vehicles

Today my husband went down to the shop to call triple a and have the vehicle towed home. If you remember the mechanic said that in order to fix the car it would cost us over 2k dollars. Well we get the vehicle home and just for shits and giggles I tell my husband to put a new O ring on that was missing (connecting to maf) so he puts it on... starts it up... and nothing. Engine runs perfectly. I was skeptical so told him to run it for a few then shut it off and try to turn it back on.. he did this, multiple times. No issues. I took it for a 25 minutes drive. No issues. I have gone outside numerous times tonight just to start it and see what happens. No issues. The CEL hasn't come back on either.. idk if we got lucky or I should become a mechanic for my next career just kidding.

So as of right now I am confident in my intuition when I felt that the 2 thousand dollar estimate just didn't sit right. And he was in fact trying to pull one over on us. Or me I should say, I'm a woman and i did all the communicating up until my husband went to pick the vehicle up. Maybe he thought I wasn't someone who would question a professional. I will say though that our car has scratches ALL over it that were not there before, when my husband asked the mechanic about it his response was to get defensive and BLAME OUR KIDS. My husband laughed and insisted he would of noticed the scratches had our kids done it. Then the mechanic said ,"well want me to call the cops." Yup. That's the route he took. My husband just walked out and within 10 minutes the cops showed up. Everything was fine but clear indication this shop and that mechanic have some serious issues. Regardless though I'm just happy the car is running and that I didn't dish out thousands for a simple couple dollar fix OR junk the vehicle.

I attached the paperwork the mechanic gave us that shows what he did to find out what's wrong with the vehicle. I dont believe he did anything, the car was seen sitting in the parking lot a few days and is covered in pollen like it had been sitting there for an extended period of time.

Anyways... I'll update if something happens again but as of now it seems that the throttle just needed to be cleaned and make sure the O ring is on and secure.

[chitownV]

That’s great news! You are talking about the o-ring connecting to the air box right? Yeah, everything has to be tight.

Well, you did a great job of communicating. Sounds like it wasn’t a good mechanic. Now you have a story to tell for ages.

What happens if you unplug the MAF? Did you try to clear the codes to see what comes back? Have you ensured all the intake boots/tubes are tight and not leaking air? One know place is the rubber part that goes from the tube running over the engine down to the front passenger side intercooler inlet (by the radiator). Oil on the boots, close to the connections, can indicate leaking air.

[Smbray1986]

Yes that is the O ring, we must of misplaced it or something and just assumed it didn't have one. I am so glad I did my research and found this thread as well! We did end up purchasing another vehicle before we figured out how to fix the volvo lol but that just means I get a car and my husband does too. He's been driving the volvo the past week and a half to work daily (which is about 50 miles a day) and the thing is running great!! I made sure to leave that mechanic a great (sarcasm) review on google. I'm sure he has pulled one over on other people unfortunately and I hope my review saves them their time and money!

Again thank you!!!

[cn90]

O.P. here, I posted this DiY in 2016.

From reading pfriedland's trick (go back to 1st page to see it), he cleaned the TB in situ.

I just cleaned the 2006 S60 TB in situ:
- Place some rag underneath to catch fluid dripping down.
- I used a piece of cardboard (folded) to wedge the plate open.
- After cleaning, use a mirror and flashlight to check.

The in situ trick is much much better than what I originally posted (which required removal of the TB).

[chitownV]

I would add a big missing safety step if you are gonna clean from underneath.

The starter is below the intake manifold along the block and it gets a hot wire. Get a piece of cardboard you can tape on to cover this so you don’t run the risk of catching your car on fire. Also, be careful because if you “jump” the power of it by accident, like with a metal spray can, it will arc and spark, potentially exploding the spray cleaner can. There is enough power to melt your steel wrenches.

A good amount in tech training is on safety for a good reason. People get sent to the hospital, even experienced techs that overlook something by accident.

Also remember, avoid spraying into the electronics side. Sometimes a little spray helps loosen the gunk, then spray on a towel to wipe, works best safely. You don’t want a simple cleaning job to turn expensive where you need to buy a new throttle body.