98 S70 t5 Rough idle sputter dies often

netguyscott · Post by **netguyscott** » 18 Oct 2014, 13:42

I purchased a somewhat dead but very clean appearing 1998 s70 turbo several weeks ago. Owner said radiator was cracked and leaking. Also car had been sitting 6mo-1yr undriven. Replaced the radiator, hoses, most of the filters, new oil and new coolant. Upon starting the car has a rough idle,sputters and dies eventually if you dont give it some gas. Exhaust is also kinda dirty. Scanned it and no codes show up. After having read the forum, i removed the MAF and when I started it, it runs fine, clean exhaust, and code P0102 shows up on scanner. I even took it for a drive around the block a few times. Not sure it has a huge amount of power but I'm new to this car so not sure what it's normal is. The MAF looked old, dirty and worn probably the original so I replaced it with a new Bosch MAF and nothing has changed, still same rough, sputtery, idle with dirty exhaust. Any suggestions on what I should do next?

-Scott

Post by **rspi** » 20 Oct 2014, 02:22

Hi Scott, welcome to the forum.

Strange for it to run better with the MAF unplugged. I would do my best to keep it running and drive it until it gives you a code. If you don't get a code check for vacuum leaks real good and start chasing wires.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 20 Oct 2014, 09:18

I was in your shoes a few years ago when I picked up my first T5 I had the same issue. My problem was the turbo hoses. Make sure ALL your hoses (idle air control valve, under the front shroud, etc) are all clamped on tight. If one of them pops off it will make your car sputter and die. Before you start spending money on parts check all your turbo piping first.

netguyscott · Post by **netguyscott** » 20 Oct 2014, 20:05

Hey Rspi and Shaker thanks for replies. I'll be checking vacuum and turbo hoses. I saw the vacuum hose diagrams on here that were posted. Yes it drives okay with Maf removed cant really test it out too much as its not fully registered...in California cant officially register or get new title until it passes smog... thus no sticker. When i purchased it, owner had it as Non-op. I did replace plugs on Sunday though with bosch douple plat. Think its been awhile since thats been done. Had Bosch Super Plus and they were very dark though luckily no oil in the holes or on the plugs, plus I'm guessing original Volvo wires because the separator clips were extremely brittle. They all cracked in multiple places upon removal.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 20 Oct 2014, 22:10

At this point, if I were you, I would check the plug wires and rotor. I'm guessing they are original. If they are Volvo wires there will be a date stamped on them. I would recommend getting O/E wires if needed. I still find it odd that your car isn't throwing any codes.

netguyscott · Post by **netguyscott** » 23 Oct 2014, 21:55

I checked the wires stamped with a 97 on the far side and Volvo BougiCord Made in France in the middle. Tonight I replaced the Fuel filter with a Bosch replacement... couldn't see a brand just the Volvo coding and Made in Spain. Definitely never changed before because the ends had the original undercoating spray on them, so 114k miles on it. Drove it around about 3 miles with MAF off and didn't notice any changed. Attached scanner and same code came up P0102.

Post by **alschnertz** » 24 Oct 2014, 04:05

FWIW, I had 2 "new in box" Bosch MAF sensors go bad within 3,000 miles.
I'm convinced there was a bad batch going around.
Where did you get the MAF from?

netguyscott · Post by **netguyscott** » 25 Oct 2014, 15:38

The MAF came from Amazon and the Bosch code is 0280 217 107, and was actually manufactured in Germany. If it was bad, then it was bad out of the box because there was no difference in the rough idling issues between it and the old MAF.

Post by **erikv11** » 25 Oct 2014, 16:53

P0102 and rough idle that goes away when the MAF is unplugged: sure sounds like be a MAF problem. Either the new sensor is bad (I agree, unlikely) or maybe the connector is bad. Try bending the connector at different angles; inspect it closely.

p0102 can also be a vac leak but then it wouldn't go away with unplugging the MAF.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 25 Oct 2014, 17:36

I would pick up a used one at a local junk yard or on ebay and see what happens. Also, I would clean the connection to make sure you don't have any corrosion there. You might also want to pick up some MAF cleaner. It's a special cleaner you can pick up at any auto parts store. Give that a shot. Last thing I would do is follow the wires and make sure you don't have any shorts, tears, etc. Good luck.