Hi guys, I haven`t been here in like two years since I sold my 04 S60. I just purchased a 2005 XC90 2.5T FWD with 91K miles and I am a little concerned. The price was good for the miles but after driving it for 2-3 days I`ve noticed a couple things.
1. At high speeds the car seems to be a little instable. After reading some forums I`m guessing it would be the lower control arms. No knocking at all, maybe a little bit at sudden, hard braking.
2. I have a little rough idle. My first guess is cleaning the throttle body. I did this on my S60 and I hope it will help on this one too.
3. The third issue worries me the most. In Drive when I give gas sometimes the pull comes with a little delay and it also kicks. It is especially noticeable when I drive in traffic, when I give gas and let the pedal go and give gas again. I am still hoping it could be related to the upper motor mount because it looks like it is on the way out. But at around 75-80mph there is a little hesitation. It feels more like when the coils were acting up in my S60.
The other symptom is that there is a little hesitation at high speeds. I am also thinking that might be caused by failing ciols.
No CEL on this one though which I find a little surprising after all these issues.

Any ideas on any of my problems? What else should I check? Also, could it be that a tranny flush is due? Does the torque converter prone to fail on these Volvos? Any other major tranny issues?
Thanks

 

Have you checked the fluid level ?

 

Not yet, but that is going to be the first thing I do tomorrow. (And replacing the upper motor mount which just came in $25). I still have to find the dipstick though.

Do the symptoms sound like there could be a problem with the tranny fluid level?

 

It will be better to check this first .

 

Ok, so fuild level is perfect. I replaced the upper motor mount. The kick feels a little more dampened. What I observed today is that on the freeway at around 70mph when trying to accelerate the car hesitates, like it jiggles slightly. I tried it in 4 and 5 too. It does the same thing. Almost like there is no power. I suspect it could be the coils if not the tranny but still no CEL. I experienced almost the same with my s60 but that had a code for misfiring. Im not trying to spend $250 on the coils if Im not sure those are the ones messing up. I saw no visible damage on the top when I was replacing the motor mount. btw sadly my turbo is leaking. I'm guessing the ETM must have a bunch of gunk on it but it is hard to access it. How do you guys usually clean it?

 

- Sure clean the Throttle etc.


- I replaced the spark plugs using NGK Iridium, engine runs smooth! Info below:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...p?f=10&t=64080


- I also did the 4 fluids for my 2005 XC90 2.5T AWD. Since yours is FWD, you may want to replace the ATF and done with. Info below:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...p?f=10&t=64335

 

Ok. I will try to do the same and will get back with the results. Thanks for the help!

 

Okay, so I cleaned the throttle body and what a difference! It was full of gum and oil. Most probably because of a turbo oil leak which I will have to address later. (no time and money for that now)

I had a chance to replace the coils from an `07 S60 2.5T as well. I did not check the spark plugs. (yes, I should have but it was getting dark and like I said there was no misfire code)

I put everything back together and drove it about 22 miles when the CEL came on. I will read it today and I am really hoping it will be a misfire code because I still feel the hesitation on the freeway and I do not want it to be a tranny issue.

I was planning to have a tranny flush by a local volvo specialist but when I described the symptoms I was told a flush would not fix that (slight kick when giving gas, and when letting the pedal go. Also the hesitation). They charge $120 just to look at it so I wait with that until I give up on figuring it out on my own.

I still can not tell whether the hesitation of because of a tranny issue of because of something else. As I try to accelerate harder, the car hesitatest and goes, hesitates and goes. The rpm seems to be in direct relationship with the acceleration. So when it goes up, the car accelerates, when the car hesitates, the rpm does too. Although when I accelerate harder, and suddenly remove my foot from the pedal, the car kind of kicks when shifts up.

Any other ideas? Torque converter maybe? That would be very unpleasant though...