2008 3.2 XC70 229K Miles, Cold Take Off Hesitation - No Codes Topic is solved

[Steve H]

I have a 2008 3.2 XC70 with 229K miles. I have had the car do this now about 5 times. Start the car, pull out of the garage or parking lot and push on the gas peddle and it feels like the car is smothering and will not catch and take off. Eventually it catches and takes off, then I can stomp the engine and it will take off and run I will call it normally but it seems off a little but that might be in my head after it felt like it was going to sit me on the side of the road. No pending codes are set on any of the times this has occurred. Since no codes are being set I am at a lost what is causing this problem. Has anyone had this type of problem with a 3.2 normally aspirated engine in your P3? Thank you in advance for any pointers here.

[pgill]

There are a few different things that could cause the problem you are having

But we need a little more information

Does the problem occur?

A. On a cold start.

B. On a hot restart? (Do you leave the key in the Dock when the problem occurs?)

C. When the Gas Tank is almost empty


A list of common problems that can cause they type of problem you are experiencing

1. Hot soaking with the key docked (see B. above)

2. Failed Fuel Pressure Sending unit - the ECU may believe that there is pressure when it isn't there

3. Failed Purge Valve (fuel vapor recovery)

4. Failed/Intermittent Variable Valve Lift Solenoid

5. Sticking/Broken Throttle

6. Failed/Intermittent Variable Vale Timing Solenoid

7. Broken/Intermittent Fuel Pump

Good Luck

Paul

[Steve H]

Thank you for the reply. Sorry for my delay, the site is not sending me email notifications of replies??

There are a few different things that could cause the problem you are having

But we need a little more information

Does the problem occur? Rarely but has been more frequent lately

A. On a cold start. Yes Always

B. On a hot restart? (Do you leave the key in the Dock when the problem occurs?) Does not happen on hot start

C. When the Gas Tank is almost empty Gas tank is never below 1/2 tank


A list of common problems that can cause they type of problem you are experiencing

1. Hot soaking with the key docked (see B. above) Key Dock not used due to proximity key being used

2. Failed Fuel Pressure Sending unit - the ECU may believe that there is pressure when it isn't there , I have replaced this with a Bosch part 3 years ago as a preventative maintenance item.

3. Failed Purge Valve (fuel vapor recovery) That could be the problem. Where is this located on my car?

4. Failed/Intermittent Variable Valve Lift Solenoid. Would this not throw a code if failing?

5. Sticking/Broken Throttle. I have wondered if this was the problem. It has been a while since I have cleaned my throttle body due to the difficulty getting to it.

6. Failed/Intermittent Variable Vale Timing Solenoid. I would have thought I would get a code.

7. Broken/Intermittent Fuel Pump. I hope this is not the case due to that is no fun on this vehicle due to Volvo not providing in cabin access to the pump.

Good Luck

Paul

[Steve H]

I think I have my notifications by email issue corrected. Again I apologize for my delay in responding and thank you for your time.

[pgill]

3. Failed Purge Valve (fuel vapor recovery) That could be the problem. Where is this located on my car?

When mine failed the Engine was misfiring and shaking

I will try to answer the other questions later today

Thanks

Paul

[Steve H]

Thank you Paul. I obviously do not have my email notification working. It is still not working because I did not receive an email for your response. I assume I will need to remove my intake to throttle body tube to access that? Hopefully not the entire intake. Did you have any problem disconnecting the pipes going to and from the purge valve?

[pgill]

The small hose that goes from the Purge Valve to the Intake Manifold is very difficult to remove.

I cut mine and now it is slightly shorter but it worked.

You may want to just buy this hose as well.


And you are correct that I didn't remove the intake manifold.

Simple but not easy.

Take care

Paul

[pgill]

Does the problem occur? Rarely but has been more frequent lately

A. On a cold start. Yes Always

B. On a hot restart? (Do you leave the key in the Dock when the problem occurs?) Does not happen on hot start

C. When the Gas Tank is almost empty Gas tank is never below 1/2 tank


A list of common problems that can cause they type of problem you are experiencing

1. Hot soaking with the key docked (see B. above) Key Dock not used due to proximity key being used

2. Failed Fuel Pressure Sending unit - the ECU may believe that there is pressure when it isn't there , I have replaced this with a Bosch part 3 years ago as a preventative maintenance item.

3. Failed Purge Valve (fuel vapor recovery) That could be the problem. Where is this located on my car?

4. Failed/Intermittent Variable Valve Lift Solenoid. Would this not throw a code if failing?

5. Sticking/Broken Throttle. I have wondered if this was the problem. It has been a while since I have cleaned my throttle body due to the difficulty getting to it.

6. Failed/Intermittent Variable Vale Timing Solenoid. I would have thought I would get a code.

7. Broken/Intermittent Fuel Pump. I hope this is not the case due to that is no fun on this vehicle due to Volvo not providing in cabin access to the pump.

1. Good!!! is doesn't seem to be hot soak related

2. BOSCH is what I am using (you can verify the pressure on a cold start it will be higher during the FAST IDLE and then it will drop noticeably for the NORMAL IDLE, I can post a link of exact pressures if you need it.

3. I would replace the purge valve as preventative maintenance (I think you are going to do this)

4. The Engine doesn't know if the Variable Lift is working there is no feedback as far as I can tell

5. Cleaning the Throttle may be the solution

6. For the Variable Valve Timing codes should be set

7. Agreed......this is a big job.....I hope its not you problem


Take care

Paul

[pgill]

On initial startup the fuel pressure spiked to 69 PSI

Then it dropped almost instantly 61 PSI


The interesting thing to note is that the RPM dropped to ~800 RPM before the fuel pressure dropped.

It took a few seconds for the pressure to drop to 55 PSI


The RPM drop seems to be attributed to the Throttle position

14.1% --> high idle

3.5% --> low idle

Here is the link (the quote is from the second page)

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic37689.html




PS the 3.2 is used by VOLVO and by LAND ROVER and for most things you can use the parts interchangeably (I buy whichever is cheaper and my LR2 has several VOLVO parts and my S80 has several LAND ROVER parts)

[Steve H]

Thank you so much. The first thing I did was clean the MAF sensor in the air filter with electronic contact cleaner. The car is not my primary car (2013 Honda Accord) today after work, due to storms is the first time that I have had a chance in the afternoon to take it out. I cranked it and I decided from not on, to rev up the engine to verify I have the ability to take off. It revved and responded normally and I took it for a drive. I normally do not push the car hard but this afternoon I did, 5,000 to 5,5800 RPMs and the car performed perfectly. I have the purge valve on hand now but I am going to wait to see if it does it again. I know I probably need to clean the throttle body and I did purchase a gasket for the throttle body so I can remove it to clean it properly. It was be conducive, labor wise, to do both the purge and remove and clean the throttle body at the same time. Last time I removed the intake air snorkel to replace the water pump, belt, tensioner and pulley I had a heck of a time getting it back on. Hopefully it will not be the same way. Now that I have a scissor lift I should have better access to it from the bottom of the car. The scissor lift will lift the car 4 feet in the air. Very nice to do under dash work since the scissor lift does not have post to interfere with your doors being opened. I do wish I could get my email notifications to work on this forum. I have everything turned on for notifications but I receive none and it is not going to the junk mail folder. Thank you so much for taking the time to provide me so much information on my problem including the PSI specs and others you provided.