Car Won't Start after PCV Job - 2007 XC70

[cmayo1]

2007 XC70, 227k miles. Car is relatively new to me

I did the PCV job through and through. When I was installing the fuel rails, I noticed that they weren't going in as much as I would like when I was applying pressure, but seated better when they were tightened down. When I attempted to start the car, the car started, but it was reaaaaally rough, seemed like a really bad misfire. The dash then came up with the message "Reduced engine performance". To me, that yells cylinder problem.

Since I was worried about the fuel problem, I looked at the fuel rail, but no leaks. I still took it out (without releasing pressure like a goob) and it was getting fuel in the cylinders. Then, I thought that it was one of the coil packs, because I left cylinder two out the whole time and it sounded like there was low compression in one cylinder. When I went to go plug it back in, I didn't realize how bad the heat cycles ruined the wiring, because there was some exposed wiring that caused two cables to touch and arc. I thought the coil packs were gone since the boots were coming off, so I ordered all new coil packs and spark plugs.

Fast forward to today, I did a crappy job using electrical tape to prevent the wires from touching, put in new coil packs and spark plugs, and tried starting it again with no start. I did undo the grounds while doing this, but I made sure they were plenty tight when replacing them. The wiring with the coils seem a bit off, because it's a little tight on the drivers side of the engine, so if anyone has any pictures of what their wiring looks like, that would be a nice reference. I did notice that all of the wires towards the front have a little yellow line on them, so I'm hoping that those are correct.

I then realized that I didn't remember plugging the throttle body sensor back in (turns out I didn't). After plugging it back in, still didn't start. I thought, "Hmm, the computer is probably preventing the car from starting so it doesn't do damage to the engine", so I unplugged the battery for about 10 minutes. The car definitely took to the disconnection of the battery, because all previous messages went away, and I could hear it doing clicking and clackings I didn't hear before, but still, it didn't start.The reduced engine performance light did not come back/

At this point I'm running out of ideas. I still think that the computer isn't letting it start, but now I'm also thinking that I flooded the engine . I'd like to think that if the computer didn't want it to start, then it would stop pushing fuel to the engine, but maybe not? Also, a lot of the clips on the coil pack plugs are broken, so maybe they're not seated fully. Has anyone had experience with something similar? Am I going to need a VIDA to clear any codes that may be causing it to not run? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[scot850]

If you have possibly flooded the engine with fuel you can get 'lawnmower syndrome'. Basically you have lost compression on some or all cylinders. Remove the plugs and add a teaspoon of engine oil to each cylinder and try to start is again. Leave the plugs out over night somewhere warm to dry out and let the cylinders air.

Most cheap OBD2 readers can pick up the main engine codes for a P2 and cancel them too. So worth getting a cheap one and see if you can pull codes.

Neil.

[lrock]

The wiring with the coils seem a bit off, because it's a little tight on the drivers side of the engine, so if anyone has any pictures of what their wiring looks like, that would be a nice reference.

tried to upload a zip with pictures and video of my 2001, it's giving me a server error on trying to upload, maybe because it's right up against the 88 MB limit, but if you can message me an email i can shoot it to ya.

[br0dy519]

This happened to me after doing a PCV job and it was a flooded engine.

[volvolugnut]

Also look around for any loose electrical connectors. These can get missed in any major parts removal/replacement process.
volvolugnut

[cmayo1]

Thanks everyone. I definitely think it's a flooded engine. After replacing the spark plugs, they reeked of gasoline. I'm going to take em out, air out the cylinders, clean the spark plugs, make sure they're gapped, throw some oil down the shoot and see if it'll fire. I'll have to check for new connections too. Does anyone know how bad replacing the electrical harness is in this? it's more than on it's way out at this point.

[br0dy519]

Check this guide for the coil harness

https://www.davebarton.com/pdf/5Cylinde ... sGuide.pdf

[volvolugnut]

Besides this coli harness guide, Dave Barton has extensive information on Volvos from 1970s to present models. His website is massive and includes interesting history of his own Volvos.

volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

Wow, how did I not know this Dave Barton??

[erikv11]

My favorite part of the Dave Barton web site is how much the pages remind me of the FCP Groton web site from the '00 years.