2.0 L turbo takes longer to start and may be losing power

Feneris · Post by **Feneris** » 24 May 2008, 15:24

The car's a C70 2.0 petrol turbo, year 2000, 45k miles, regular unleaded fuel, regularly serviced - last 2 years was non main dealer.

The engine used to start instantly, but recently it's been turning over for longer, maybe 5 seconds before starting. I had it serviced last by a non main dealer a couple of weeks ago, the spark plugs were changed. I was aware of it taking a little longer to start before the service but now it's getting worse.

I think it may be losing power, not sure as it's hard to tell. I normally drive gently and slowly, I just feel it's not pulling as easily as it used to, I can floor the accelerator - it seems powerful tho.

Otherwise it seems absolutely fine when it's running, I'm not even sure whether it's losing power or not. No smoke from exhaust except white smoke on a damp day.

Never had any engine work done, no warnings. Service light is currently on, I need to get the garage to clear it (should have been done a couple of weeks ago).

Any ideas what the problem could be before I take it to a garage (probably main dealer this time)?? Anything I can do to diagnose further??

(I know this isn't the C70 forum, but it's the same engine and this forum seems to have more views / replies!)

Thanks for any help, Simon.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2008, 18:33

Your check engine light is on....get someone with a code reader to read the code and post it here...there might be more than one. Don't just clear it. The engine light means there is a problem and the code will help us understand what it is.

Post by **HareBall** » 25 May 2008, 07:32

David,
He said his service light is on. Not his check engine light.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 May 2008, 08:20

Thanks Larry,
I'm just striking out all over the place this morning.
I would still get the codes read...could be one or more are lurking under the surface.

Feneris · Post by **Feneris** » 07 Dec 2008, 17:06

Update on the car, incase this is of use, or anyone has further ideas?!

Volvo main dealer checked the ECU, no faults so they cleaned out a sensor (unfortunately I can't remember which one, but I'll add it in a later post). They also replaced the clutch position sensor. Didn't make any difference to the starting issue, but seemed to solve the power issue.

An independant garage tried 2 diagnostic computers on it, both said everything was ok. They suspected the temperature sender was faulty, so they replaced it and also repaired the wire it was on. This definately affected the starting of the car, it seemed better but not 100% for a few days, and now it's back to normal problems again.

If the engine is fully cold it starts instantly and idles smoothly from the moment second it starts. If the engine is warm/hot, and you stop the engine and wait more than a few minutes before restarting it, it is sluggish to start. The engine turns over for longer than normal, it starts firing and almost starts and you can tell it's just about to go, Then it goes back to just turning over on the starter motor for about 2 seconds, and then starts. From the moment it starts it idles smoothly and correctly. It does this same starting sequence with the same timings every time. There is no randomness to it, whatever the car is doing, it is very consistent.

I sent this problem to http://www.justanswer.com; You can ask a question, they have a volvo expert, is does cost £8 /£12 though when you get a satisfactory answer. The reply that came back was to look at the fuel pump relay or fueling issues (pressures) (with details on the relay and location).

I'm gonna try this next and let you know the effect of doing so. Anyone got any further ideas on this?!

Feneris · Post by **Feneris** » 14 Dec 2008, 08:03

Hot starting problem has been resolved by a backstreet garage. Despite being serviced 7 times, the fuel filter hadn't ever been replaced(this was clear as the filter had weatherproofing on it that the factory spray on the underside of the car). Apparently the low pressure pump in the tank had been working against a partially blocked filter for some time; and no longer moves the fuel as fast as it should do. When the engine is hot and then turned off, the fuel siphons itself back down the line to the tank. When you turn the key in the ignition you hear the low pressure pump in the tank operate for a few seconds, it is moving fuel back up the line but not effectively enough for the car to start straight away. When the car is hot, if the ignition is turned on and off 3 times before starting, this operates the low pressure pump for 3 cycles which is enough to get the fuel forward for a normal start. The garage replaced the fuel filter and have also fitted a 1 way valve to the fuel line to stop the fuel siphoning back to the tank in the first place. This has finally sorted out the hot restarting starting issue.