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Intermittent rough cold start 04 XC70

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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abscate
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Re: Intermittent rough cold start 04 XC70

Post by abscate »

Take a good look at all your vacuum lines and induction hoses. They all need to be tight and clamped

On a rough running car, all those codes are meaningless chatter turbo valve has nothing to do with idle , so that’s not the cold start fault.

You will need tools and dirty gloves to inspect vacuum/induction lines. You can’t just “ look”

Example here.

viewtopic.php?t=79114&hilit=vacuum&start=10

Check this out on my T5….wierd cold start ftom a broken hose

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84552
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P2metoo
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Year and Model: 2004 XC70 205+
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Post by P2metoo »

Update. Check engine light resolved 1 week ago and car has continued to have a slight rough cold start but otherwise smooth operation and good power. This morning had a recurrence of the bumpy rough cold start and check engine light came on. Had low power accelerating so felt like underboosted turbo. Haven't checked the codes yet, but expect the same P0299 and P0300-305.
My new TCV arrives tomorrow so hope it will resolve the issue. My theory is carbon build up over time on MAF sensor and in the TCV with 8-10 years of wear.
2004 XC70 205+
2007 Honda Pilot 200+
1971 F250 Camper Special 170+

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P2metoo
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Post by P2metoo »

A 3 week trip kept me away from this issue. I got a new Pierburg BCS/TCV installed. After 5 days the issue persists. At this point I am going to take it into a mechanic and pay for a couple hours of troubleshooting. I'll see what they find.
2004 XC70 205+
2007 Honda Pilot 200+
1971 F250 Camper Special 170+

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P2metoo
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Post by P2metoo »

abscate wrote: 16 Jul 2025, 04:47 Take a good look at all your vacuum lines and induction hoses. They all need to be tight and clamped

On a rough running car, all those codes are meaningless chatter turbo valve has nothing to do with idle , so that’s not the cold start fault.

You will need tools and dirty gloves to inspect vacuum/induction lines. You can’t just “ look”


Example here.

viewtopic.php?t=79114&hilit=vacuum&start=10

Check this out on my T5….wierd cold start ftom a broken hose

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84552
@abscate I'm sorry I overlooked your post. This is probably the issue as those posts seem identical to my issue. I'll have the repair shop check for me. Unfortunately with some work trips and needing to tackle my jungle of a yard, I am out of tinkering time for the next couple months.
2004 XC70 205+
2007 Honda Pilot 200+
1971 F250 Camper Special 170+

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P2metoo
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Post by P2metoo »

jonesg wrote: 10 Jul 2025, 10:42 It does sound like coolant seeping into cyls after it cools down, rough start due to moisture , after it warms up the moisture clears out.
Same thing happened to my old volvo 740, the definitive test was block tester fluid to detect exh gas in the coolant.
I would do that first to eliminate the worse case scenario, then chase other possible causes.

Block test kit is $22.
https://www.amazon.com/Combustion-Leak- ... iewsAnchor

Go over the basics, the last thing disturbed was coils, check the wiring and ground bolts on each.
Leave the plastic coil cover off, when it starts acting up touch the coil connectors and wiring.
Also put your hands on the injector connectors.
Well, time has passed and I tried this test again after some bubbling in the coolant reservoir. The test showed positive for exhaust gasses. I will have a head gasket job in my future.
2004 XC70 205+
2007 Honda Pilot 200+
1971 F250 Camper Special 170+

awizarddresden
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Post by awizarddresden »

If you vape or smoke there's a free way to test at least the intake vacuum lines. Pop the line off of the intake nipple. Take a big puff and blow it down that line. Do it a bunch of times and eventually you'll have enough smoke in there for it to be coming out of any holes in the lines.

Thats how I found my Compressor Bypass Valve was bad. It was giving a rough cold start for the first one of the day. IF the engine was warmed up it would start fine.

Replaced that and it starts right up now.

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jonesg
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Post by jonesg »

the block tester fluid is quite definitive for gasket failure.
Not as serious as belt failure that crashes the valves.

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