2006 S60 How to clean turbocharger?

Savvyg · Post by **Savvyg** » 01 Mar 2014, 07:29

Hey guys,

Thanks in advance. I've been searching online on how to clean the turbocharger without removing it to no avail. I found a guy who was cleaning his Audi's turbocharger with some oven cleaner from the UK. I don't know if I should try that with my 2006 S60 or not. The reason why I want to do this is because when I step on the gas hard and take it up to about 3000+ RPM, it doesn't feel like I'm getting a noticeable boost and the car has a slight jerk/hesitation. Possibly the turbo is kicking in, but because it's dirty, it might not be functioning properly. I've already given it a tune up by changing the fuel filter, spark plugs, new PCV breather hose etc. The car runs real smooth unless I step on it hard to try to activate the turbo and feels like it's hesitating slightly on higher RPM which tells me that the turbocharger is not completely dead yet.

I'm the second owner and the lady that used to own it, put conventional oil (idiot) so I'll be replacing the oil trap and clean the throttle body next weekend when my parts arrive. I didn't realize this until I saw the receipts in the glove box. I'm hoping my turbo charger is not dead because of conventional oil.

2006 Volvo S60 2.5T Automatic
117000+ Miles

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 11:01

Check fuel pressure, should be 400kPa under any load.

Also turbo control valve could be bad, many of us replaced TCV by HD one from IPDUSA.

Savvyg · Post by **Savvyg** » 01 Mar 2014, 11:55

Thanks for the reply vtl. I'm going to have to try replacing that. BTW, at which RPM is the turbo supposed to kick in?

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 12:04

I saw a torque diagram for older 2.5T engine, max torque starts at 1500 RPM (and lasts to 4500 RPM, that's why turbo Volvo feels so great on the road). So turbine kicks in pretty fast. What you have is likely a fuel mixture problem (disproportion between gas and air).

Also double check all air pipes, it could be a vacuum leak.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 12:10

Hmm, history of running on a bad oil... Try to disconnect wire harness from VVT solenoid(s), they are near camshaft pulleys, on the top of block, under black plastic cover. If it gets better, you can disassemble solenoids and clean them. Use new gaskets.

Savvyg · Post by **Savvyg** » 01 Mar 2014, 12:59

Thanks for the quick reply vtl. If it starts at 1500 RPM, then definitely the turbo is not kicking in. What are some of the things that you can do like maintenance wise to get this thing working. Also, what does the VVT solenoid do? Not sure what you mean by if it gets better. Does that mean that disconnecting the VVT will disable the turbo? Been working on cars for a long time but this is my first turbo car and I know nothing about it.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 15:10

VVT solenoids control VVT clutch by applying oil pressure to it. Disconnecting VVT solenoids disables VVT function, engine will work as old engine w/o variable timing.

Those solenoids in Volvo are known to be sensitive to a bad oil and/or longer oil service.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 15:12

First thing I personally do when it comes to car gremlins, is attaching DiCE clone and reading errors, looking at sensors values. This is a great help usually.

Savvyg · Post by **Savvyg** » 01 Mar 2014, 19:20

Thank you for the great info. I'm going to have to disconnecting the VVT to see if the car runs differently. You can get readings for the turbo? I don't really have a nice code reader that does real time sensor readings. I was also thinking there's a possibility that the turbo actuator might be stuck from carbon build up. Thanks for the quick replies vtl.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Mar 2014, 20:07

Yes, with DiCE+VIDA you can read boost pressure. You can also use old good pressure gauge.

For actuator check you only need to remove fire guard plate above turbo (3 bolts IIRC).