96 850 Turbo Wagon Pulling P0131 and P0137 Codes - Really Need Some Help On This

[clarkr]

Hi all,
Need some help determining how to diagnose some codes I am pulling. It has been going on for a couple of years now. Intermittent Check Engine codes P0137 and P0131.

1996 Volvo 850 Turbo wagon
VIN: YV1LW5720T2247599
Engine Type: 57 - 2.3L 5 cylinder
Front wheel drive
Mileage: 205 K

Pulled this info from a code reader:

Code P0137 - O2 Sensor - Circuit Low Voltage
Bank 1 Sensor 2

Code P0131 - O2 Sensor - Circuit Low Voltage
Bank 1 Sensor 1

Freeze frame from code reader I pulled the next day. Not sure what all this means if anything:
DTCFRZF P0131
Fuel System 1 OL
Fuel System 2 N/A
Load_Percentage 2.0
ECT °C 82
SHRTFT 1 (%)
Long FT 1 (%) 0.0
RPM (1 min) 800
VSS (Km/h 18

Long term symptoms:
I seem to be getting the CEL after driving around 100-120 miles mostly on trips but eventually when I reach this milestone to set the codes . Most of the milage is highway driving 55-65 mph. Sometimes comes on when reducing speed going through small towns or slowing for stop signs or variations of speed on highway. Also will hit the CEL after driving about that mileage over time with variation of mostly highway and in town driving.

I need some info on how to attack this. Is it O2 sensors; relays; electronics going to injectors; fuel pump; fuel pump rag filter; computer or some other malfunction? Can't keep throwing money at it to find a solution without an educated guess on where the problem/s are.

Here is what I have done so far:
1. New plug wires and plugs
2. New distributor cap and rotor
3. New Bosch upstream O2 sensor
4. Cleaned all injectors - Pulled out of fuel rail. Made tool to spray carb cleaner through injectors when injector is opened with electrical charge. All injectors worked good when sprayed carb cleaner through them as supposed to do.
5. New injector o-rings top and bottom. Did not replace fuel rail o-rings for injectors or seals on intake manifold. All seemed fine.
6. Brand new inline Gas Filter
7. Brand new Air Filter
8. Not sure of the cat but no exhaust leaks or problems that I can determine.

I am at a loss as to where to go with this. Why would it take so long to trip the codes?

Engine runs great and turbo working as it should. Getting 24-25 mpg on mostly highway driving.

Anyone? Let me know if you need more info on something.

Thanks for your help in advance,
Clark

[Clemens]

Looks like you did alot of what could be causing this.

Even though this isn't really a fix, if you add one of these O2 sensor adapters you pull the O2 Sensors out of the exhaus a bit and the codes should be gone. not a fix for the issue, but a fix if you need the light gone for inspection.

[clarkr]

Looks like you did alot of what could be causing this.

Even though this isn't really a fix, if you add one of these O2 sensor adapters you pull the O2 Sensors out of the exhaus a bit and the codes should be gone. not a fix for the issue, but a fix if you need the light gone for inspection.

Hi, Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

I really just need a fix for this. No inspections where I am at so that's not an issue. As I stated the light only comes on after putting on some miles and I have a code reader to clear it.

Clark
Top

[Clemens]

were these generic O2 Sensors or ones specific for the 850 Turbo?

[clarkr]

were these generic O2 Sensors or ones specific for the 850 Turbo?

I only put in the upstream one. It is a Bosch and the numbers matched up for my Volvo. That said it had been sitting around for a couple three years . I bought it at a good price at the time.

Even before I had this sensor installed I was pulling these codes for a long time. Thought that it was possible this was bad as it was running rough before I put in the plugs and wires so had this O2 sensor put in.

Could an O2 sensor be causing this problem? Why would it throw the codes after X amount of miles? That is what baffles me.

Thanks,
Clark

[matthew1]

Vacuum lines, oxygen sensor wiring...

It may be rear O2 sensor, but if you're going to delay the Parts Canon as long as possible, check that stuff first.

Does your MPG suffer?

Some threads that might not help, but also might:

viewtopic.php?p=222903
viewtopic.php?p=399354&hilit=P0137+850#p399354

Search results for "850" and "P0137":
search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keywords=P0137+850

Some people type an o character instead of a zero character when using that code, thus:
search.php?keywords=850+Po137&terms=all ... mit=Search

[Clemens]

I think some codes take a while before they actually turn on the light. Are you running Premium gas? My T5 hates the lower octane gas these days, it seems to triggern the CEL.

[clarkr]

Vacuum lines, oxygen sensor wiring...

It may be rear O2 sensor, but if you're going to delay the Parts Canon as long as possible, check that stuff first.

Does your MPG suffer?

Some threads that might not help, but also might:

viewtopic.php?p=222903
viewtopic.php?p=399354&hilit=P0137+850#p399354

Hi Mathew, since I replaced the plugs, wires, D cap and rotor it runs like a champ now. I am actually getting 2-3 mpg better mileage at around 24-25 mostly highway driving as opposed to the previous 22. The turbo seems to be running correctly also according to the gauge.

I have replaced the PCV system and cleaned the injectors at the same time I had the fuel rail off. Have replaced most vacuum lines and have done smoke tests. All OK. Cleaned the MAF with MAF spray, removed the throttle body and cleaned that with spray and put on new gasket. Cleaned off as many plug connections and grounds as I could see with all that torn apart. Lubricated the linkage.

I have NOT tested the O2 sensors wiring. Any help or links to how to achieve that would be appreciated. Is there any way to test the actual O2 sensors without a Tech 2? Don't have one of those or could afford to pay subscription for one just for my vehicle if I did.

As far as the type of gas I am using: 87 octane premium (standard alcohol mix) as asked by Clemens, thank you also Clemens.

Open to suggestions or cures.

Thanks again everyone in advance,
Clark

[matthew1]

Clark, Bosch rear 02 sensor is $138 at the first search result for it, btw (Autozone). Bosch part #15062.

I don't know if there is a way to test the actual performance of oxygen sensors except in situ... after all it's an electric device testing essentially an environmental chemical concentration. I'm 100% not saying there isn't a way. But if there is I haven't read it or don't remember it. Wiring test I've watched a few YouTube videos on, there's thousands out there dealing with general wiring continuity.

Use the search here and maybe there's specifically instructions for testing O2 sensor wiring on P80s.

[Sveedy]

87 octane is not premium. I wouldn't use anything under 91 with a turbo.