2003 V70 D5 Sluggish \ limp mode

[rocky]

Hi All, been a long time since I have been on here which means I have not had any bother but alas, I now have an issue. I have a 2003 V70 D5 212K miles
Three weeks ago the oil plug (the wee rubber one above the fly wheel) failed spewing oil out. This was replaced and that fixed that problem.
What I am finding now is that when I am driving (normal driving on main roads) that periodically she feels under powered up to about 2200 revs. After which the trubo kicks in and she takes off all right although I could be sitting at 3k plus which isnt how I drive.
Normally I wouldnt have to be driving above 2K revs and have sufficient power for the road conditions.
Problem is that when this happens I am getting the "Engine Service required" message when I come to hills or need to increase acceleration or make the engine work a bit harder. More often she will drop into limp mode. This is happening twice or so every 80 mile round trip - 3rd gear where I should be in top.
My mechanic (independant) read the alarms and all that was showing was the likes of air bag warning \ bulb failure etc - nothing to suggest why she drops to limp mode.
Anyone out there have anything similar happening. I was hopign that it was a dirty \ or loose sensor followign the engine being out for the oil issue.
Is there such a thing as a cracnk shaft position sensor \ cam shaft position sensor on these or any other sort of sensor that could cause this without causing an alarm on the computer?
Thankful as always for any help you can give.

[rocky]

Still experiencing this problem.

When I come to a hill or need to accelerate past something I get engine service required coming up on the dash.

When I drive below approximately 2.3K revs I have very little torque \ power - 3rd gear instead of top etc. After 2.3k revs turbo seems to pick up and she goes better.

My local mechanic got the codes read and there was no codes showing that would be causing these symptoms \ issues.

if it was the EGR Valve, should I not be getting some alarm code showing on "the computer"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[skyship007]

Still experiencing this problem.

When I come to a hill or need to accelerate past something I get engine service required coming up on the dash.

When I drive below approximately 2.3K revs I have very little torque \ power - 3rd gear instead of top etc. After 2.3k revs turbo seems to pick up and she goes better.

My local mechanic got the codes read and there was no codes showing that would be causing these symptoms \ issues.

if it was the EGR Valve, should I not be getting some alarm code showing on "the computer"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Most common reason is a faulty MAF sensor, although it should throw a hidden fault code IF the correct code reader was used. Try cleaning it with a MAF/Intake cleaner spray (The CRC one is good and cheap).
Second common reason is a blocked EGR or CAT (Might not show a code), the EGR can be cleaned, but the CAT might need replacing (If a diesel has a DPF it can also caused similar symptoms, but there should be a specific fault code).
Thirdly, if the fuel filter is blocked, or the seals let in air it can cause a limp home mode with no fault codes.
After that, it gets expensive.

[rocky]

Thanks Skyship. The CAT was changed at 95K (213K on her now) The symptoms are similar but she isn't putting out the smoke like before.
Fuel filter should be OK about 20K since it was changed last.

That leaves the EGR and the MAF sensor. MOT is up next week so when I have her in with the independent mechanic I will get him to look at both these.

I am unsure as to what code reader was used as he took her to another 3rd party.

I am considering getting a code reader for myself, you mentioned the CRC type. is there a specific model or version of this that I will need?

Thanks.
Patrick

[skyship007]

I meant try using CRC cleaner as it seems to be the cheapest on Fleabay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CRC-AIR-SE...item233bf0d3a3

Halfrauds will also stock a cheap MAF cleaner and any cleaner of this type can also be used as an electrical contact cleaner, but not the other way around as many cheap contact cleaners contain contaminated industrial alcohol and you should only use the pure stuff for cleaning a MAF sensor, or it might make it sticky.

[GrahamBrown1]

You need the volvo specific codes reading using the vida software, without you are just guessing which is expensive

[d5steve]

Has the intercooler ever been changed ?

[rocky]

Has the intercooler ever been changed ?

Yes Steve, the intercooler was changed within the last couple of years.

[rocky]

in for MOT check this week. Will see what me mechanic can find. Thanks all for your replies so far.

[Dancake]

Crank or cam position sensors may stop the engine from running at all if they are faulty. Fuel pressure sensors can put a car into limp mode if they fail, as too can coolant temperature sensors. A decent diagnostic machine should be able to pinpoint the general circuit in which the problem lies, maybe even specific components. MAF and EGR are also possible candidates as mentioned above. If you're ever around Belfast give me a shout and I'll check the codes free of charge.

[rocky]

Thanks all. Got codes read and there was a boost pressure alarm. EGR and MAF tested fine.
The boost pressure was down to a small crack on a pipe feeding the turbo. This was quickly repaired and all seems ok now - however, my fuel economy is still down round mid 40s...
Thanks Dancake for the offer to help!