sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Engine sputtering/cutting out when I "romp on it", why? Secondly, where are the spark plugs and it is feasible for me (moderate motorcycle/american automotive mechanical knowledge) to change them. Is the sputering when I "gun it" coming from and dirty throttle body, bad turbo, plugs, injectors, etc...??? I am lost.
Also what are "Volvo" plugs, I just bought 4 Bosch coppers, is that OK?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY AND ALL HELP WITH THIS MATTER.

BRIAN HARSTON

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

The spark plugs are under the black cover on the top of the engine. Remove the cover you will see 2 coils and 2 spark plug wires. Try changing the spark plugs first. They are easy.

If you still have the same problem then it will be the coils. They are known to go bad.

Those are the 2 main causes of the problem you describe.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

ya bosch plugs are known to give problems, get the volvo plugs.....something about those bosch plugs.. they dont seem to click right with volvo's

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I just got done replacing the plugs, absolutely no change. The Shudder/Lack of power begins as soon as the pedal is floored. It sort of "bucks" a little bit (please forgive the idiotic terminology) Should I just try the coils next, or is this maybe a transmission issue. (The volvo plugs I took out didn't look that bad either) also, if you gradually accelerate you get acceptable performance. The problem is only when you aggressively accelerate.

thank you for your help, brian

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Yes replace the coils.

It is a 50/50 shot everytime. Half of the times the coils are bad the other half it is the plugs.

I have been down this road about 100 times or more already.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Heh, Tech knows his material!
By the way tech, I just got my car back after its BIG 30k service tune up at 58.5k mileage, AND IT RUNS SOO SMOOTH AND SOOO SOFT and it has its turbo bite back. They told me everything looked perfect. So I'm happy, and not worried about my turbo's(remember when they were making the noise?) It runs like brand new(knock on wood)!

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

CONGRATS[sm=burnout.gif][sm=gears.gif]

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

when I replaced the plugs i used Bosch copper OEM style. Are those OK or should I just suck it up and go to the dealership and by the actual Volvo plugs? I have also noticed today most recently that it is missing/ stuttering worse at medium-hard acceleration going up hill (which there are a lot of; I live in North Carolina at Ft. Bragg). Does this still sound like all ignition coils and plug/ fuel ignition problems, or is there a possibility of transmission malfunction. I hate to keep asking about the tranny, I am just really nervous about such a mounumental expense. It does shift very smoothly at normal acceleration, and the revs do not go up when it stutters. Am i just being paranoid?

thank you agin for your great tips and advice.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I dont mean to tail on your post but I talked to my dealer a few months ago and he told me there have been no coil issues with the S40, I also goes on to tell me they are not available in canada yet. I had the plugs replaced and that fixed most of it except for a little miss fire when I am cold and idleing. This might be the coils.

If you had the plugs done the copper you put in will be fine, just remember to change them more often. I think you have coil problem as do I.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I would still say Coils.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

i already ordered 1 because i remember reading somewhere that they usually go out one at a time. Is this true and if it is should I just install the new coil, test drive and check for problem and if problem still exists then go back and put coil on other cylinder? (I do understand that there could still be a problem because both may potentially be bad and the only way to eliminate or figure it out would be to install two new ones at same time?

P.S. What about the plugs, are the bosch coppers ok or should I go to the dealership.

thanks, brian

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Yes since you only ordered one install and try.

The plugs you have will work fine for now. Next time I would buy the Volvo ones if it was me.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

My volvo seems to have started doing the same thing, went to the mall and on the way back home, i stomped on the pedal and it starting sputtering and felt like i was riding on the "rumble strips" on the side of the road or somthing. i noticed that if i accelerated very easily that it would be fine no shaking or sputtering, but once i put the gas pedal down just alittle more it would "spudder". Once i came to a red light though and off the highway, at a dead stop it sounded like the car was about to stall or die on me. Any more thoughts on this at all??

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Do the plugs first and if it still does it replace teh coils.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

i changed the one coil, no good. then swithed the new coil over to the other cylinder, still nothing. still having the sputtering/check engine light flashing then staying on happening. i ordered the second coil. i sure hope that cures it. it should be here by next wednesday (i paid 57.10 USD is that an alright price?) is there anything else, within reason, that it could be?

thank you,

brian

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

That is a good price.
You might also want to check the plugs. I know they are new but the car might not like them.
We use Bosch Platinum in all the cars we work on.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

i just wanted to say thankss for all your help and advice throughout this process so far. I hope this fixes it it. never-the-less, it is really great of you to give of your own free time and valuable (monetarily and practical) knowledge to help people like me, so thanks.

brian

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

No problem Im glad I can come here and Help people.

I never had help like this when I was young and had to figure out stuff like this on my own. Couldn't afford to have someone fix it. Thats why I come here to share what I know to help others less fortunate then me.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

thank you so very much for your help, the new plugs and coils did the trick, she runs like a champ. I was wandering if you could tell me how to get the "check engine" light off. once again TECH i want to thank you for helping me out, you probably saved me a thousand dollars. when country boys like me buy swedish cars with turbochargers only expensive and bad things can come from automotive malfunctions!

thank you,

brian harston

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I will tell you how to get the light off, depending which one you are talking about
turn you ignition key to last click before start and hold the trip reset button until light goes off.

I am think tech we should make a sticky or something about this plug problem. they are really starting to get annoying.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

That is for the service light not the Check engine light.

For the check engine light go to Auto zone or Discount Auto parts and see if they will read codes and clear them.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

if you didnt get the check engine light off yet, you can go to your local autozone and they can take it off for free.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

tech, it just started gping the same thing again today. is it the bosch platinum plugs i put in or could it be some thing else. i put two brand new volvo coils in and the problem subsided for a week, had the codes cleared and they atayed of. it ran perfect for a week, then all of the sudden the sputtering at hard acceleration started again.

thanks,

brian harston

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I bet you its the bosch plugs, use Volvo plugs, even though they fit, the tips on the boschs plugs are different than the volvo plugs.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Get Volvo plugs.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Awwh now! I'm on the edge of my seat! What the hell happened? Did the plugs fix it???

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

My S40 (03) is having a similar issue. I have done volvo plugs and new coils. Car runs better but under hard acceleration it feels like the turbo is 'kicking' on and off. Just not very consistent acceleration. Sometimes the car feels brand new and others like I never changed plugs/coils. May be a different issue but if his S40 does the same after plugs/coils I would say it's similar.

Problem is it's so darn intermittent. My 2c. Thx

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

In addition to the advice given so far:

Ask FCP Groton about the shipping fees to Canada. A set of Volvo plugs are US$28.50.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/sv40/sv40tuneup.htm

And their shipping policy:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/shipping.htm

Before youclick on "Place Order" or whatever the ultimate button, they should give you the total cost. If not in CDN$, call & ask. If it turns out more expensive than getting them at a local dealer, then you want them from the dealer (or eBay?).

Tech, could the problem also be something in the ECU or one of the sensors?


JPN

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Are these turbo cars? The 03 and this one? I'll throw a 20-1 shot out there:

The spring rate of your diverter valvle has decreased and the turbo is unable to build and hold the intake pressure. As teh turbo spools, the diverter valve begins to dump (divert) pressure before full pressure is reached. As it diverts, the power drops. Once the pressure is low enough for the valve to close, turbo begins to spool again until it the valve can no longer sustain the pressure and dumps it again.

Yeah, I'm fishin' . . .

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Mine is a turbo and i'm assuming the other one is to.

Fishing, but definitely possible. The symptoms you are describing are pretty accurate. Now...what the heck is that diverter spring/assembly and where is it? Thanks for the shot in the dark, at this point i'm willing to try/test as long as the part(s)are within $$ reason.

Thanks again.

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Any thoughts on the following product? I'm assuming this is the valve you were referencing.
http://www.forgemotorsport.com/conte...roduct=FMFK049

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Actually, no. Those dump to atmosphere. The diverter is sometimes called a recirc and there's a book of threads in the forum somewhere that explain all that, so I won't duplicate it here.

Nevertheless, if my theory holds a drop of water, I guess these are what I'm talking about: http://www.forgemotorsport.com/conte...roduct=FMDVTUN I guess you replace the springs in your valve with these. The stronger the spring, the higher the boost. But then, I'm no mechanic.

Sure sounds simple enough. Oh and let us know how it turns out if you go for it . . .

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Turbo control valve

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

What is VOLVOCOMMANDO's 6th post, Alex.

Ar you following me VOLVOVANDAM?

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Plug gap is critical in this application.

Originally I had put them at around 35 thousandths. no change. Put the gap down to 25.

WILL RIP THE TIRES OFF THE CAR.

J

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I had the same problem and thought it was the plugs also. Not until i looked very closely at the 2 ignition coils, there were fine hairline cracks running all the way down the posts of them. Replaced them and totally fixed the problem. Tech knows what he is talking about!!!!

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Are the Volvo OEM plugs pre-gapped?

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

Iwouldn't go for "VOLVO" plugs due tothe price, anice set of ngk's would be sufficient.

I would stray from copper and from whatI haveread the swedes don't like bosch all too much. so yea... ngk or w/e a volvo plug is. I really doubt they make their own plugs.

Infact if you had enough money, you toocould have your name on a spark plug. haha.

They are more less a convenience item for the back yard do it your selfer who do not know and or do not want to bother with gapping, etc.

J

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

:eek:
I am sorry guys for interruption, but I have some problem it looks the same. Volvo s40 2.9T, 2001. When I change the plugs and start the car I was shocked it works like old tractor and shaking vibration, smelly smoke from muffler, also I couldn't drive any where it not going just making clicking noise like some ting doesn't work.I am not professional but looks like ignition problem. Please guys could you help me with this, I will be very grateful. [&o]
have a good one.[/align]

RE: sputtering at hard acceleration
 

I recently purchased a used 01 S40 for my wife and it's having the exact same problem. I'll try replacing the plugs first and then the coils if that doesn't do it. Question I have is if this doesn't do it what would be the next most likely cause?