OK,

So I got the car almost a year ago.

2002 Volvo S60 AWD - 53,000 miles

Had it shipped to me from Pennsylvania (I'm in MN).

It ran beautifully when I got it.

Since I didn't know what kind of oil was in it and how long it had been since it was changed, I decided to change it and go with fully synthtic. Don't know if that is the root of all evil here or not. I'd like to think not but I'll let you all tell me what you think.

So after the oil change, all was well for about a week. Then it developed a little oil leak. Then after a while, it ended up going away - then after another while the leak came back and then it went away again. It has not leaked since then, but the other day I got the light saying low oil pressure. I looked at the dipstick and it was barely touching the very tip.

I've also noticed that after driving to my park&ride and letting the car idle until the bus arrives, it starts to smoke profusely. I'm pretty sure this would be a good explanation of why my oil level is low and maybe why it isn't leaking any longer....

I've had the car go into limp-home mode on me once or twice a while ago. I took the car to a shop to see what they could find and they told me it needed a new throttle body, a new turbo, and a new coil on cylinder #4. I replaced the coil myself but didn't have any other work done because of the expense. It ran fine for quite a while after I replaced the coil. Makes me think there wasn't anything wrong with the old coil, but who knows... They said they saw oil going past the turbo??? Apparently they got the following codes off the car at that time: 919A, 91A7 - both having to do with throttle valve.

The next wierd thing that I noticed wasthe car would vibrate and shake violently. It started out where I could feel a shimmer as I was going down the road. Then it developed into a violent shake when in drive at a stoplight. I've also had the car kill on me a couple of times pulling into my driveway.Soon after first feeling that crazy shake, I got the Check Engine light. It has the following codes according to AutoZone: P0299, P0235, P0236. The person at A.Z. told me it was a low turbo boost message. That got me thinking that most of the time it does not feel like it has the zip it did when I got it (although sometimes it is VERY peppy). I brought it to Midas and they put on a new turbo boost sensor. Cleared the codes and it seemed to run ok on the trip home, but the next day began to do the same thing again.

Around the time that the check-engine light came on it started exhibiting strange alarm activity. Shortly after locking the car, it will start flashing the parking lights for about 30 seconds. Sometimes I hear a very quiet siren noise. And every time I get into my car and start it up, I get the message: "Alarm system triggered, check car". Or something similar.

And finally, the most recent oddity is when I use the automatic window up feature (where you pull the window button up two clicks and let go and the window rolls itself all the way up). When I activate the auto up feature, I've noticed that sometimes one or the other front window will go up a ways and then reverse itself and go all the way back down.

I'm really wondering if my computer is fried.

Anyone have any comments on this strange activity. I'm not enjoying driving my car anymore and I'm dreading the bill from the dealership...

If I were to buy another computer for the car, would it need to be reprogrammed at a dealer in order for it to work in my car?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The next oil change is going to be dino oil...

 

I can comment on the alarm issue. What you have is a bad siren, unfortunately. And it is going to cost you $430.00 installed. Dealer is the only place you can have it done.

Throttle body should be an easy fix if you have received the recall notice from Volvo N.A. and if the software update had not been done.

 

Hi there.
Regarding the oil, that's just something that comes with experience. Keep an eye on the level during the first few thousand miles to watch for oil consumption. With the syn oil its going to be removing deposits and I've read that even the most expensive of oils (Amsoil, etc) can have similar effects of running a bit low. Best bet with that is to keep it topped off and maybe schedule an early oil change for that first one. Things should return to normal rather quickly after that.

About the smoking, you may have a plugged up turbo return line. Others can back me up or refute that. But its a easy fix if it is.

As for the codes I would look for vacuum leaks in your hoses.

The alarm sounds like it could be caused by a weak battery. Have the battery checked and replace it if necessary.

And for the window switch, I don't know. I often find myself cussing at the windows because I have seen the same behavior from them time to time.

Note, I am not 100% on my answers but hopefully you will get some more responses.

 

fast_ride - I love that SNL episode of your avitar..."More Cowbell!!!"

I've read a service bulletin about cleaning the throttle body. I will try that sometime soon.

Saluki, I called Volvo and they said the recall on the ETM does not include my 02 AWD since it is turbo. If you have conflicting information, by all means please do forward it to me!!!

I don't have any other indications of a weak battery - seems to start the car fine. Come to think of it, I think Idid replace the battery already within the last 8 months...

As far as the turbo return line, are there instructions on how to take care of that? Is it a big job? I bought some turbo seals on ebay - might look at putting those on at the same time possibly.

Which hoses would I look for vacuum leaks on and how do I check that?

I forgot to add in my original post that it did at one time say "Alarm System Failure...something else like Service Immediately or something"

Thanks for your help guys! Look forward to seeing your responses.

In the mean time, I'm kinda bummed to drive my car...

P

 

Notny41,
I don't like to say it but your maintanance of the Vehicle seems poor.
If you have only changed your oil once in a year, that is your problem, you need to change the oil in a Turbo every 3-4k miles or every
3 months.
Turbo's run way hotter than NA cars therfore they break down oil quicker, good move going fully Synthetic, but your damage may already be done, Don't take your Volvo to midas, they are chumps, take it to a good Volvo dealer or a good indy shop that work on Volvo's. They are quite a specialised car and places like Midas don't know where to start....
I wish you the best of luck

v70 2.4t

 

Well I guess I figured the car has so many messages it would tell me when it was time to change the oil. Is this not the case? My wife's Escalade informs her when it is time for an oil change. And when I got the volvo it had the Service Vehicle message on - which I thought was Volvo-speak for "change the oil". Figured I'd see this message again when it was time for another oil change.

 

You're right that the Service Vehicle is the reminder to change the oil. The thing is, I believethemessagefollows the 7500 mile interval that Volvo recommends, which is more than optimistic. Its best to follow a typical oil change interval (3000-4000mi) whether you're using conventional or synthetic oil. I think most will agree with that statement.

Glad I was wrong on my battery theory. I will look for previous posts about the turbo oil return line and PM you if I find it.

 

Correct Guys, the service reminder will go off, i'm in Australia and
the service reminder goes of every 15,000km (or every 9375mi) or every year which ever comes first
I think that Volvo should trigger it in turbo cars every 5-6k km, if you read your manual it only has a small reference to turbo vehicles it recommends 7500km (4687mi) oil changes in turbo vehicles , it sucks!!!! they should also give you another service book with reduced intervals.
notny41, take your Volvo to a dealer, at least get them diagnose the problems, you can then take it where you like or work on the car your self, get a copy of VADIS from ebay, it does take time to get them right, i have after 2.5 years, well almost i'm still battling with minor issues...


good luck
v70 2.4t

 

The ETM software update is for ETM SN 30677023. If you have one of these older ETMs then it should be covered.

 

Hi guy,
Just read this and don't take it the wrong way.
Your car is telling you to take it in. Severe oil depletion is more than the theory of using synthetic oil. And that is a weak theory anyway with todays synthetics. What synthetic oil did you use. The ones that supposedly "clean" are PAO and have esters in them. Base oils like Grade III really are just clean hydrocracked oils and won't burn any different than conventional dino oils.

I don't know your finances, but you have an Escalade in the family and a Volvo. Take it to the dealers or find a good independant Volvo mechanic in your area. I know they have them in Minneapolis (daughter lives there). An Escalade new costs 60K. I would think you should consider spending 1K to diagnose your car.

PCV valve changing is a must. Air Filter must. TB cleaning must. New plugs a must. Can you locate the source of the leak? Can you see it? And trace it? If it's there and you can't find where it is starting from, then put dye in it and have a mechanic trace the source. Maybe your oil filter cap is not sealing well? Oil pan?

Limp mode indicates a more serious problem. Take the car in and don't drive it that way. You may kill the thing.

 

I agree that 7500mi between synthetic oil changes is a bit much, but 3000mi is also too low, unless you're driving it like a race car.

And if you're worried, do a Used Oil Analysis (UOA) for $25 at 3000 miles.

And for that matter... to the OP... i would DEFINITELY run a UOA. They will analyze your oil for properties and trace elements that might give you an indication of how your engine is failing. Check it out. If you live in a metro area, you'll be able to have this done locally. If not, you can mail a sample of your oil to a company online and they'll send you back a report.

Check into it.

FWIW, I change my syn oil at 6k intervals.

 

Interesting, I've never heard of that. I think I will do an oil change now and after 3k more miles I'll have that uoa done.

Thanks LMS60!

I think I will also try to pick up one of those Vadis discs off ebay and clean the ETM, clean/replace my oil trap and possibly put some new seals on the turbo return line. I have the seal and gasket already...just need to put it on.

The problem with getting it to a dealer is they are all about 40 minutes away and I really don't have another source of transportation. Plus I like doing stuff myself if possible.

Thanks guys!

 

The window issue can be addressed by the dealer. There is a procedure to reset the window settings with their VADIS/VIDA system.

The siren is a good possiblity, like saluki posted.

There are a few possibilities for an oil leak, the turbo return line, the crankcase breather housing, oil cap seal. Don't forget to recheck the drain plug and the filter if it started after an oil change.

As far as using oil, make sure to get the car to operating temp and top off the level to the full mark, drive for 500-1000 miles and recheck when the engine is at operating temp.

If the lifters are noisy and the oil level is ok, then the oil pan o-ring need to be replaced.

 

Your ETM is not covered if its a 02turbo.

Lots of issues, penny wise, pound foolish.Read your owners manual.
I might sound like a jerk, which I don't mean to be, but educate before you ask.
I agree with saluki_s60on your alarm.


titleAndStar(11,0,0,false,",")

 

the window issues check if your window squeal if it goes down.. if it does maybe worn sliding blocks in regulator causing window to loose calibrations not to mention once in a while hall sensor will go bad inside regulator. turbo drain seal leak is not easy to change on AWD car with angle gears below it and blocking it. check PCV at dip stic with manometer and see if clogged.if it is clean pcv banjo fitting and give throttle a wipe with throttle cleaner on the cloth.

 

Ok, so I got the car back from the shop today.

I hesitate to say that it is "fixed" because it seems like every time I think something with this car is fixed, it turns out to only be temporarily mended.

However, to the mechanics credit, after driving it 35 miles home - I haven't seen the check engine light nor do I have any hesitation or stumble. And the "No Oil Pressure" message is gone.

LET'S HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY!!!

So what did he do to fix my problems you might be wondering? I had him save the parts that were replaced so I could see what was going on.

1. He replaced the PVC system, cleaned out some other tube somehow connected to this mess. Also mentioned something about a sump. Let me tell you that the tubes were almost completely clogged. This took care of the "No Oil Pressure" message.

2. He replaced the MAP sensor. That took care of the Check Engine light - which was throwing codes P0236 and P0237.

He said that this car looked like it had been neglected for a long time. He thought that my putting synthetic oil in on my last oil change may have been the catalyst for all of the issues. He thought it went through and loosened all of the sludge built up over the years and that crap all coagulated into the PVC and clogged it up.

Chalk one more up to the guys who say don't put fully synthetic oil in a car with higher miles (unless you know it has been using synthetic all along).

On the way home, I got about 29 MPG. I had been getting about 22-23 MPG up until this point.

Price tag on the repairs was $800. Small price to pay, in my opinion, if the thing is fixed for good.

If anyone in the Minneapolis/St. Paul MN area is looking for an independent repair shop that seems to know their way around Volvos, the work was done at Roseville Auto & Marine. Good guys!

Thanks everyone!