Cvvt sensor change

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 17 Feb 2019, 12:49

After changing sensor, bolt on plug in.
Car will only start on first attempt occasionally, usually after turning key twice. Runs fine, and shuts off normally.
I was told possibly the timing is off, how would i tell if its the timing or just a bad sensor?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 17 Feb 2019, 14:51

First - do you have any codes? How many miles and when was the timing belt done last?

I doubt it is the timing belt unless it has never been done and/or you just had it replaced. You can take off two torx screws on the timing cover and push the two tabs and the timing belt inspection cover will come off. If I recall to do the service you just performed you had to do this - how did the belt look? Try pushing it and see if their is play - without a great deal of force it should not move, and if it moves both cams should rotate. You can also check the timing marks, two on the upper plastic cover and one on the crank. The one on the crank is tough to see without pulling off numerous parts, but if you can find the mark and line it up the upper two should line up - I am assuming you have not recently played with the timing belt, because the then VVT hub(s) may come into play.

Sounds more like a fuel issue.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 17 Feb 2019, 15:19

Belt was done before we owned it, has 160,000 miles.
Believe it was 1330 code.
Read about similar issue, turned key to on position for about 10-15sec and car started right up. Gonna try again tomorrow morning..hoping it may just be a filter issue or fuel pressure.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 20 Feb 2019, 13:15

Im sorry, it is a p0011 code.
Camshaft position timong over advanced...

Post by **SuperHerman** » 20 Feb 2019, 15:55

Since the timing belt was done how many miles have you put on the car? Relative to this, when has the code been appearing. If you have had a good 5k or so miles without issue then most likely your timing, when done, was correct. Otherwise, the timing could have been set wrong. Many have issues with the VVT hubs on Volvos.

You could have another issue, like a failing VVT hub. Report back and then we can try other testing.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 20 Feb 2019, 16:15

Would have to check maintenance schedule, but i believe it to have been done 20-30,000 miles ago.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 20 Feb 2019, 16:15

Would have to check maintenance schedule, but i believe it to have been done 20-30,000 miles ago. Car currently has 170,000

Post by **SuperHerman** » 20 Feb 2019, 17:09

Unless it has been doing it the entire time, I would move on, assume it is fine.

Next on the list would be dirty oil - clogged up passages in the solenoid area. When you swapped the original out - how did it look? Did your gasket have a screen? Did you do any cleaning?

At this point, you can go back in, remove the solenoid, and do some cleaning. Maybe force some solvent spray into the hole - just be smart. Don't go wild with the amount and don't damage any surfaces. Watch your eyes and spray back. Gasket should survive this if it was new.

Other route is do an oil change, but before you do it add a can of SeaFoam or Mystery Oil in the crankcase (or your favorite flavor) - per maker's recommendations and run it a few hundred miles and then do an oil change. Add some more if you want and run it longer.

I would err on the side of gentle solvent use, not a hard core flush. The fear with a hard core flush is throwing a clot and killing your engine. Your engine could be gunked up pretty good - how have the oil changes looked under your ownership? Oil excessively black or look normal for usage cycle?

No matter what you do, even if nothing, if your engine has sludge, watch carefully if the oil pressure light ever turns on. Not to common on your engine, but if it was neglected that is another story.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 20 Feb 2019, 17:37

I did add sea foam after solenoid change, have not done oil change yet. Previous changes have produced typical dirty oil, but nothing astonishing came out of drain hole..lol
I did not notice any excessive sludge on old sensor, nor did i do any cleaning/spraying as i was changing suspect sensor/solenoid...I will do an oil change and clean the mentioned areas this weekend. And see if any changes are noticed.
Thank you for the advice.

Oldsguy · Post by **Oldsguy** » 28 Feb 2019, 19:20

Did oil/filter change, pulled solenoid out looked clean, so wiped it off and put it back. Not sure what gasket or screen you mean??
Solenoid is a round cylinder attached to a plug that drops in top right side near oil fill, and is secured with 10mm bolt, then plugs in just above starter.

Other than not starting on first try, car runs fine..cant get rid of code.