macmori

I have a 2001 v70 2litre turbo with 160000 miles.In the past few weeks the cars idle becomes erratic when the car is stopped and the engine hot.A mechanic told me that the head is probably gone and that it was very common on these models.
However i pointed out that it never overheated,there is no condensed vapour coming from the exhaust and the heater still blows hot, good signs of a sound head?
The car engine will continue to rev slightly then drop to normal and so on until eventually it cuts out.
the Volvo dealer said that it was probably an idle control sensor fault.
Who is correct.
Any help greatly appreciated
Macmori

sgtcarl

I would go with what the dealer told you. Maybe the other guy just wants to make some money. Maybe not. I don't know if that particular engine had problems with trashing heads, but it doesn't seem likely that would be your problem. Look at it this way, if it were the head, wouldn't the dealer know?

mpittsr66

I am having a similar problem with my V70; initially got the "Emission System needs Service" message. Local mechanic read the codes which pointed to the MAF sensor which I replaced with no change. I then took it to a shop who specialize in Volvo's and they said it was the front and rear O2 sensors which I just finished replacing, again with no change. I'm at a loss now and getting tired of throwing parts at the problem. If you have a good idea, pls help.

macmori

Since posting the question about the idle I took the car to Quikfit who performed a diagnostic on the car and found no fault.They cleaned out the injectors and the car was running fine.However another problem emerged in that it is taking longer to start from cold and yesterday refused to start.
Any ideas?
Thanks

sulley007

What's the latest on your car?

ghost_twin

you know i had a similar issue with my 98 v70. All it took was a new mass air flow sensor (commonly called a Mass Air Meter). About 50-300 at a junkyard, depending on the state of the vehicle at salvage. Try disconnecting the mass air electrical plug(the first thing you see after the air filter, if you go from right to left. I wouldn't reccomend driving like this, but it can be done. just check to see if it idles correctly after you do that. If it does, the problem is isolated, but ask a mechanic first.

sulley007

Would you be comfortable buying a used MAF?

macmori

took the car to quickfit.no fault on their diagnostic.cleaned out injectors.an improvement but not rectified.can put up with it as she does not cut out whilst moving anymore

ghost_twin

I would look at the MAF sensor. just disconnect the power coupling and let it idle. if it still runs rough, check spark plugs and wires. they could be worn.

macmori

Since I last posted this problem I got the car sorted by the Volvo dealers.it was pricey at 90 euro an hour but well worth it.The total cost of repair including parts was 500 euro.
For those who had the same problem ,this is what they found.
The car dash was messaging EMISSIONS FAULT and PERFORMANCE REDUCED
The engine was hunting whilst idling.

They overhauled the throttle assembly which was sticking intermittently.A replacement is over 1000 euros so if you have this problem get that checked as a first port of call.
Replaced a badly clogged fuel filter and recleaned the injectors.
Finally they replaced the oil separator.
The car is running perfectly again.

rfilori

Sorry, wish I would have checked this earlier. The electronic throttle module is a VERY common failure and Volvo has extended the warranty on the module to 10 years/200,000 miles from original in-service date.