V70 VEA recall ECM software D4 > D3.5?
 

Earlier this week my 2014 (2015 MY) V70 D4 SE Geartronic went in for two recalls. One was for the bleeder hose and the other was for the ECM software patch.

What I’ve noticed is that the engine now seems a bit down on bottom end torque. I believe this was also referred to a short while ago by another member but couldn’t easily find the relevant post.

In short, I have to apply more throttle to accelerate, and the engine seems to hold on to each gear longer before changing up. This means that the silent urge that the car had has now been replaced by the need for a more sporty style of driving. Not what I would expect from a diesel, plus it means that the less pleasant aspect of having a 4-cylinder engine is more evident, i.e. the sound when it strains.

Sometimes, the car now feels more like a D3.5 than a D4.

Is it just me?

What software patch is this? Mine has had several over the years, although never as a stand-alone thing, but always associated with another task (EGR cooler update or intake manifold fire risk check) plus the usual minor ones applied during services.

Certainly I noticed a difference a couple of years ago after the EGR cooler and valve were replaced; I didn't so much notice the performance suffer but the MPG definitely got worse. And it was around then that it began to need the engine oil occasionally topping-up, although I struggle to explain the connection.

This is the recall for the melting inlet manifold.

The TMAP and EMAP sensors are cleaned and the ECM update consists of “improved soot reducing software”.

I’ve just now finished a 66-mile drive from Beds to Oxon and it was much noisier than the last time that I made the journey 4 weeks ago. The car seemed to spend more time revving relatively highly in lower gears, and fuel economy also seems to have suffered a bit.

I suspect that exhaust gases move faster at higher revs and that this is Volvo’s “cure” to prevent sooting up.

I wonder if the engine’s torque and bhp figures are also now different from those originally published for the car, and what effect all of this would have on a Polestar upgrade or vice versa.

Sheesh!

Oh yes, I did get that software update and sensors cleaned (plus mine also got a new intake manifold because the swirl valves were sticking due to soot build-up). I was told by the Volvo tech that the software will detect a cylinder down on power due to an intake valve getting sooted-up and will then shut down that cylinder to prevent explosive 'spit-back' into the manifold that may cause it to melt or even catch fire. But I did not notice any change in performance and/or economy as a result of that software update.

Mines got manual transmission, so I wouldn't get the higher revving in lower gears.

A kind forum member has suggested that the Transmission Control Module in the automatic gearbox, which adapts gear changes to suit my driving style, might have been reset by the software patching. If so then this means that my car will have to relearn my driving style.

So, having moaned a lot, I need to see how it goes and will report back. :)

I was going to suggest the same about the TCM reset, having previously done this myself (intentionally) on a P2 V70 after changing the gearbox fluid and it taking a few hundred miles to settle back to shifting gear around the rpm it used to on my regular journeys. :regular_smile:

I’ve now temporarily adopted a more laid back driving style to encourage earlier up changes. :)