Engine running lean? Plug reading...

[utn]

Hi - I just got my first Volvo - unmodified 05 V70R automatic, and I'm looking it over for anything I need to fix up.

From just my impression while driving it, there seems to be a lack of power at the upper RPM ranges, so I pulled the spark plugs and from my opinion, it appears to be running lean. The plugs are all white in color on the end.
The car doesn't give any check engine codes and if you were driving it like a normal car, everything would seem fine.
The plugs are Denso SK20HR11 and seem to be in good condition otherwise.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

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[scot850]

What fuel rating are you using in the car? 91 or above?

Neil.

[utn]

Yeah, I'm using premium 91/92/93 whatever is available where I am. Last fill up was 92.
If I did run regular/87 - and if my assumptions are correct with running lean - I couldn't see that effecting the fuel ratio.

[jonesg]

theres no saying how the car was driven before you bought it but they are performance variants so...

[abscate]

What’s the gap on those ? It looks way bigger than 0,7mm , but a visual is beaten by measurement …

[jonesg]

too many Italian tuneups maybe.

[utn]

Thanks for the replies.

I have changed the plugs since the original post - just in case.

I found the, or at least one culprit.
I noticed the intake pipe from the MAF to turbo was covered in oil grime. Upon removal, I noticed the sensor was not plugged in, nor properly seated in the pipe (around the square-ish rubber seal). In addition, the section which slides over the compressor inlet was very broken.

Needless to say, I'm replacing it, and probably going to rebuild the turbo as the shaft has some play that makes me feel less-than-comfortable.

Unfortunately the picture is of it wet, after I cleaned it off; it was pretty ugly before.

[abscate]

That’s pretty dead, and letting in massive amounts of unmetered air, so you’ve found your Lean problem!