s40 2001

Losing compression during acceleration both off the line and cruising. It feels like a turbo issue but my mechanic says that he's looked all over and hasn't been able to locate the problem in the turbo. He's heading towards the conventional loss of compression angles. He says it's really throwin' him for a loop, I guess because it seems to run fine if the turbo doesn't engage. Had a new catalytic put on a couple years ago, because I put a hole in the old one, but I don't think this is the issue. Thought maybe might be a back pressure issue. But I would have heard something I guess.

I wish I still had a garage because this one seems kind of fun.

Anyone encounter anything similar for this model/year?


Captain Supermarket

 

Does the check engine light flash when it happens?

 

yes. but only when I accelerate. Usually it flashes. along with the service light.

After having it for a week I finally heard some news. My mechanic just called he has determined that a tune-up will take care the problem. The computer basically said that it was misfiring on account of bosch plugs. He says the Orig. Equip will take care of that. Happy that its not a major problem like a new turbo. But a bunch of misc. work that needs to be done will run about 1900 bucks. At this point I've got the Lowfunds disease, so I'll have to forgo the new motor mounts and just stick with the tune-up, timing belt, and trani flush.

Captsupermarket

 

If you can afford it have them replace the coils as well.
That was what I was going to say plugs and coils.

 

coils and plugs yeah that seems to be right. I've never done a timing belt on this car before, is it pretty involved?

thanks this forum is awesome....

 

It is pretty involved.
You have to remove the engine mount and support engine with a jack.
The area is real tight to get to as well.

 

What does it mean when the CEL flashes? This is happening to me as well...

 

CEL flashing is indicating a one or more misfires, My suggestion would be replacing the spark plugs, with either real Volvo OEM, or NGK not bosch. Also make sure of the gapping on the plugs, I had an s40 that was misfiring like hell, bought new NGK plugs for $8, gapped them and the only problem was the one of the old plugs had a much too large gap. Oh and for reference because its sometimes hard to find the gap, for the 00-04 S40 the gapping is between 0.028 and 0.030 inches.