Smoking D5 - Is it worth it ?
 

Hello, New to this but hope someone can help.

My 2005 V70 D5 (153K 5sp 163bhp) is sick ! She's recently taken up smoking and not just when you boot her. Intermittently during acceleration and during no acceleration an embarrassing haze of smoke can be seen in the rear view mirror. This in conjunction with a strangled sometimes hesitant and jerky feeling when lightly accelerating. Coasting usually fine but can still have haze being emitted. Occasionally this also means the 'Engine Service Urgent' code appears.

It took it to one chap who didn't really help so not worth stating what he did. Second seemed much more able to diagnose issues but sadly not solution other than we start with these, it might fix it, if not we keep going but the bill could be big. On that basis I decided to let the old girl go to someone who could do a better job than me trying to sort it themselves and not have to pay what could be an extensive labour bill.

However, I loved the car and had second thoughts. She still due to go under the hammer on Wednesday but felt I ought to ask others more knowledgeable than me if I should give her one last reprieve because I've not done a 'simple-ish' 'cheap-ish' fix that will keep her going for a few more K's.

I'll details what the mechanic found and hopefully someone can piece together the clues and give a second opinion.

Stored Codes :
6805 - Boost Pressure Regulation - Incorrect Flow intermittent
130C (might not be C but that's how it's written) - Mass Airflow Sensor Invalid Signal - Intermittent.

Here's the notes from the invoice. (My notes in brackets)

Investigated further.
Removed engine under tray and found exhaust bracket laying on it.
Front exhaust catalyst DPF pipe split at flexible joint (I didn't think it had a DPF but anyway)
Major Oil leaks from engine (not sure where these are coming from and it hadn't seemed to be using oil so surprised these classed as major)

So my question is - Will sorting the exhaust probably sort the smoke issue and the codes that it's causing or is there likely to be more issues than that and not worth getting into it. If it would sort how much should I expect to pay to get the exhaust sorted.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Charlie.

I would start by cleaning the erg valve and manifold. Biuld up of muck here will effect airflow and hence the mas airflow reading.

I would think your problem is on the intake side rather than the exhaust but the turbo may be passing oil so a look at that would not be amiss to determinensure it's condition.

Once all pipes, valves are clear then an assesment of the situation can properly be had.
The broken bracket will need fixing but I doubt it is the cause of the problems. As I said I would look to see how much muck is in the manifold, I'm sure there's a video on how to do it on here, possibly one of simons, Cheshired5.

Paul.

Difficult one.

This is the kind of car where you could spend more than it's worth on repairs.

But you have to ask yourself what it's worth to you. It's not all about resale value.

In other words, if you spent your money on replacing it, would the replacement car be free of issues or would it actually be a problem car that someone else has unloaded?

I jumped the wrong way a couple of years ago and sold my 190K miles 53-reg D5 instead of keeping it and putting it through a big service and clutch replacement. Had I kept it and spent money on it I suspect that I'd still be running it now. In all other respects it was a lovely car, despite being 13 years old. It was a known quantity.

You need to get it to a Volvo specialist near you. Perhaps this forum can assist in that respect.

There's also one of these (not in your area) on this forum, called Horton. Perhaps Horton has a view?

It sounds induction(ish), check for split pipes (the one on the turbo is popular), or blown intercooler. These could give you an oil leak, but I wouldn't say major. It would also cause it to smoke on throttle (not sure off throttle).
Also check around the bellhousing, there's an oil core plug under there that can fail and cause a major oil leak, which can spit oil onto the exhaust and cause an oil haze.

Thanks for these replies. Yes it's a tricky decision. Spent ages on here last night looking and learning. Intercooler was my thought as well. Unfortunately haven't got the car with me at the moment to investigate.

If it doesn't make the reserve at the auction it's in at I think I'll SORN it and take my time to investigate further. I may get into that situation where I have two identical cars that need TLC and hope I'm in the situation that one is on the road all the time !

Yes, does anyone know a good Volvo specialist or willing forum member in the Peterborough\Sleaford (Lincolnshire) area. It would be good to get some advice from someone who could actually see the car.

Thanks all again.

Charlie

If it is the 163 hp - (black cover) it will not have the DPF (particulate filter).

153K is nothing for these engines - my 2002 Auto V70 has 231K and just went through the MOT with flying colors.

Try this - go out when there's not much traffic and do an Italian tune up and see what happens. Cleaning the ERG should be your next - and check for split pipes to the Turbo as suggested.

My V70 had the turbo replaced at 150K (b4 me) and now 80K miles later the engine is as smooth and powerful as new - maybe more. On the road it usually returns 55+ mpg.

Like someone said - this car is a known entity - getting a new one means starting from scratch - for me that means a cam belt (unless PROOF of recent one), oil and filter change ( SHELL ULTRA 5-40 & LIQUI MOLY CERATEC) a transmission dump with Lubeguard Red = pretty decent sum of money but then I have a baseline.

I just bought a 2005 XC70 auto with the 163 engine. I was told it had an oil change two weeks ago - I will still do one as mentioned above. The geartronic transmission is ultra smooth and works perfectly but the transmission fluid is pretty dark (not smelling) so I'lll do a transmission dump with Lubeguard Red.

Cheap insurance compared to buying another one..:)

just an added note- under the new 2018 mot rules ,any kind of diesel smoking exhaust is a fail -requiring immediate repair,if you have a dpf fitted.

A 2005 car won't have a DPF :)

Thanks Christerart.

It won't let me PM you as I haven't enough posts. Your car is interesting!

Wish mine had lasted a bit longer. Perhaps I need to take better care of it!

Yours sounds good. Rather it had 131K not 231K but then it wouldn't be £1,100. The suspension worries me a bit - sounds expensive !

Can you PM me some way I can reply to you if that's allowed.

Charlie

Thank you for mentioning me!

If it’s black smoke, you have an air leak. The best way to find this is to have a smoke test carried out. Simple tool, you seal the exhaust tailpipe and pump smoke into the intake. You’ll soon see the air leak!