S80 cam position sensor replaced, now what

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 25 Jan 2009, 12:56

I replaced the cam position sensor like my code scanner said, and it still will not start.
Does anyone know if you have to reset the ecm, or some other trick?

Is the "negative battery lead off, put ignition in position one, put negative battery lead back on" a reset for the ecm?
I had to do that when I replaced the seat belt recoiler.

VADIS did not say anything about having to do that after reinstalling a new cam position sensor, so now it is down to towing it to my favorite Volvo mechanic (not a dealer).

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Jan 2009, 14:57

Yes, try resetting your addaptives with battery cable off of the negative side. It is important however that after you do this (and wait several minutes), put the key in position II before reconnecting the cable. See if this clears everything and allows your car to start.

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 29 Jan 2009, 08:05

Well, I had the car towed to my mechanic. He determined there was no compression in any of the 6 cylinders. It seems that the timing belt tensioner has broken, and allowed it to jump time. Now, he will pull the head to see how much damage has been done.

Great!

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 30 Jan 2009, 09:50

Well, I heard from my mechanic.
The tensioner broke and it jumped time, and of course bent the valves. He consulted a service tech friend at our local Volvo dealer, and he said they are recommending replacing the timing belt and tensioner at least 15,000 miles before the recommended Volvo time of 105,000 miles on the S80's.
So, now to replace the head with a low mileage (45k) one, new timing belt, tensioner, and 15 hours of labor = $2,495

Not much to do but buck up and have it fixed.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Jan 2009, 11:19

I hate that for you....you might try an already rebuilt head for less money (and warranty)...I know there are several places, but contacting these people might help:
Clearwater Cylinder Heads
5100 Ulmerton Road.
Clearwater, FL 33760
1-800-572-1963 • 727-572-1958
http://www.cylinder-heads.com/

If they don't already have one for you, they can make one up within a few days, from what I understand.
Good luck!
David

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 10 Feb 2009, 07:23

As I mentioned in my post above we are in the middle of replacing the head on our 2.9 in the S80.

I wanted to post some information that the service tech at my local Volvo dealer told my mechanic. He said they have had a few early failures of the timing belt tensioner, that is why they are recommending early replacement. He said the tensioner has a defect, as he called it, that Volvo isn't addressing yet. The grease retainer on the back of the pulley has been coming off and allowing the bearings to dry out and fail. This of course causes catastrophic damage to the valves in the head. What my mechanic is doing is replacing the damaged head with a complete very low mileage one he found. This has less labor hours involved since he doesn't have to pull the cams out and rebuild the damaged head. He did recommend replacing the valve seals in the used head. So, I guess I will have a complete head I can ebay for someone to rebuild after he is done.
Anybody know what a rebuildable head, complete with cams is worth?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Feb 2009, 15:49

The place I posted above sells them for about $450 w/ shipping, from what I read.

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 11 Feb 2009, 10:17

Yes, I checked that place out. For $450 you get a rebuilt head without the cams. Their website says they don't charge a core charge, and freight costs are added to the $450.

We went with the used complete head.

asummers · Post by **asummers** » 09 Mar 2009, 08:24

Just wanted to catch everyone up on my broke tensioner dilema. We got the car back this weekend! And it seems to run much better than it did, and has more pickup than before. Our mechanic took it to a tech friend of his at our local Volvo dealer and they upgraded something on the software, not sure what. The tech mentioned that the throttle body on my car is covered for 10 years, and if I have any of the problems the S80's have been having Volvo will take care of it. They also told me my steering will have to be repaired sometime in the future, and that my front strut mounts need replacing. Oh-boy!

And now I have a never ran, new cam position sensor to sell at a discount. Look for that in the classifieds.