V50 General : Volvo V50 DPF, engine and anti skid problems

[HeidiCole]

CJJ I agree, I'm unsatisfied with my vehicle because I'm playing swings and roundabouts. No garage has been able to diagnose the real issue and the car has gone from bad to worse. In fact it's no longer drive able.

When I had the DPF replaced, every time my car went into limp mode the garage would say the DPF needed replacing. I argued that the if the DPF had failed then there must be a reason for its failure. I commute a 80 mile round trip every day for work. The DPF has plenty of opportunity to regenerate but fails to do so.

my vehicle has a full service history, and in the time I've had it has had quite a significant amount of money spent on it. Now the car starts but stalls. I'm not sure what else I could have done to prevent this?

[Dangerousdave]

Originally Posted by cjj

Just to clear some bits up...



In a well-maintained engine, the actual effect of an EGR coking up the inlet is very low. The EGR valve essentially lowers NOx emissions. Today's technology is necessary for researching better tech tomorrow, and it's worth noting that there's not a lot wrong with today's tech - it's mostly down to incorrect or insufficient maintenance.



Oil shouldn't need to get past the rings to the sump, it should be in the sump anyway. Excessive diesel injected as part of the regeneration cycle *can* produce blow by. Overly high oil levels, especially those diluted by diesel, can cause running on, so the reduced maximum oil level is just a precaution.




It sounds an awful lot like you own a car that's not the best example of either a Volvo, or the DW10 engine.

The biggest issue people find is that they concentrate too much on the effect, and not the cause. EGRs and DPFs will very very rarely cause issues by themselves, but they experience issues as a result of poor maintenance.

The "EGR" seemingly failing is often a consequential function of another action - it's often another issue with the engine that causes an EGR to malfunction, and you can see people constantly blaming the EGR valve when it is quite often not the root cause of the problem - much like blaming the bin man for the amount of rubbish you leave out for him.

It's the same scenario for DPFs - a DPF can often oversaturate because the engine is over-fuelling - the DPF will be doing it's job, but it won't be in a position where it can regenerate effectively due to the poor conditions it is under, and will eventually fail - or alternatively, a simple sensor might not be telling the system to regenerate the DPF, and before you know it, it because unserviceable and needs replacing.

One of the more modern problems is down to DIY Fault Code reading. Fault codes are relatively generic - the code produced is often just the tip of the iceberg, consequential or collateral outcomes. Understanding how a system works, and reading the 'live' data from each sensor/system PID (along with a little knowledge) will often be the only effective way to solve an issue, and you may often find that relying purely on a fault code alone will result in something as effective as chasing one's own tail.

i.e. "I've got a P0420, my Cat needs replacing - damn fragile systems" rather than looking at the problem as saying "hmm, why does the PCM think the Catalytic Converter isn't working efficiently".

Some workshops/garages/dealers can be the same, with a lower level of technical ability and service resulting in a lack/loss of faith from the customer with the blame pointed at "those pesky DPFs"

I totally get it, but suddenly the ever so cheap, bullet proof, reliable diesels have become anything but..

You're right, I have a total pup, much of my spending on DIY has been to correct the end resulting failure, but now I'm at the stage where I'm looking for the main causes..

I'm blown away how a car can more of less write itself off, I've tried to save it, but I think I've made a huge mistake. I should have just cut my losses early on..

[The Thong]

I opted for a pre-DPF model after trawling the V50 pages for information. But even then the,

Throttle body failed

ABS module failed

Clutch

Aircon condenser

Ignition switch

Rear oil seal

All within a year of ownership. I have a V50 SE and it's a lovely motor to drive and just the right size for Boss Thong to use around town. It's a shame they're blighted with such problem.

TT

[cjj]

Originally Posted by HeidiCole

CJJ I agree, I'm unsatisfied with my vehicle because I'm playing swings and roundabouts. No garage has been able to diagnose the real issue and the car has gone from bad to worse. In fact it's no longer drive able.

When I had the DPF replaced, every time my car went into limp mode the garage would say the DPF needed replacing. I argued that the if the DPF had failed then there must be a reason for its failure. I commute a 80 mile round trip every day for work. The DPF has plenty of opportunity to regenerate but fails to do so.

my vehicle has a full service history, and in the time I've had it has had quite a significant amount of money spent on it. Now the car starts but stalls. I'm not sure what else I could have done to prevent this?

Essentially, the fault isn't really yours - so much that you shouldn't feel guilty for how you've been treated on the matter. It's a difficult situation as some garages are, for want of a more appropriate phrase, utterly ****e.

It is probably not a bad idea to have a look at the legal side of things - the work done by a garage is warrantable, so if you've had poor workmanship conducted and it has left you without much at the end of things, it's quite an issue - I'd contact your local trading standards officer and perhaps see if you have much of a case, although it is hard to tell from your post which garage did what.

Originally Posted by Dangerousdave

I totally get it, but suddenly the ever so cheap, bullet proof, reliable diesels have become anything but..

You're right, I have a total pup, much of my spending on DIY has been to correct the end resulting failure, but now I'm at the stage where I'm looking for the main causes..

I'm blown away how a car can more of less write itself off, I've tried to save it, but I think I've made a huge mistake. I should have just cut my losses early on..

Diesel cars have never really been cheap, they were always the more expensive option from the factory, and whilst they may have come across as more reliable in the past, this wasn't always the case. You could provide an example of a reliable engine ruined by tech, and it's more than likely the outcome wouldn't support the theory - unreliability is a symptom of perspective in most cases.

The bigger issue with modern diesels (or engines, in general) is that they are specialist equipment. Your local mechanic often won't have the training, software or experience to fully diagnose a modern diesel, least of all a Volvo, and can often cause problems that cost more in the longer run than you've save by avoiding an approved Volvo repairer.

That's not to say all Volvo-approved repairers are good, but if you find a good Volvo garage then it'll be worth it's weight in gold - it's better to pay slightly more for a Volvo service than save a little and risk poor workmanship.


Volvo customers who stay loyal to Volvo servicing will not only experience far less misdiagnosis and poor workmanship, but they will be in a strong position to gain "goodwill" from Volvo Cars UK - often free repairs for vehicles long, long past their warranty date.

[BigBert]

Sorry guys, as promised this is what I have had done

"soooo... as follows:
turbocharger
turbo oil feed kit
oil sump strainer
oil filter
low saps synthetic oil
intake pipe oil seal
dpf pressure sensor pipes
dpf pressure sensor
dpf regen
labour
HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

I have tool away my costing a but basically it's over a thousand pounds all in and if I am honest I'm considering selling the car...

But that'll depend how I feel when I get in it later

[brokenbritain]

Sorry, but I cannot see another garage even looking at it, after having monkeys fiddling with it anyone who gets involved now will be on a hiding to nothing...
Proper diagnosis WAS the key, not bunging parts on with fingers crossed, I doubt even a volvo dealer would help now...

[rick wales]

As above - skilled Diagnosis WAS the key - too many amateurs diagnosing from codes alone these days

[BigBert]

After talking to my mechanic; and this is just my thoughts.

These engines are made to complicated as to what they are meant to be doing, all the stuff that it's electronic system is pumping out and it's not 100% clear on what it's indicating.

Also as for the work that needs done per something as simple as a turbo change is pretty baffling. I always thought of myself as mechanical and able to do basic work, but after hearing all the wee jobs that need done which were clearly missed by a garage who doesn't know anything about these engines, it's uncanny.

I would strongly recommend a chat with my mechanics if your local or can find a garage you can trust. I'd happily give their number out for you to call them if you wish to talk to them about what could be wrong.

[BigBert]

Here is what was up with kine

O ring creating an oil leak






My sump strainer

[GADH1]

I have recently purchased a V50 R design 2l diesel, which has been running fine, however during the last week have had starting problems....
I place the key in the ignition and the steering lock does not come off so I get
a message on the dashboard telling me to turn the steering and try again, so I cant get the steering lock off to turn the wheels to start the car, can anyone advise please