D5 Auto - Acceleration lag when pulling off

[R-P]

Two things:

Cleaned the plenum chamber, but there wasn't too much soot in it.
No noticeable difference. I does make me wonder what that much oil is doing in an air-inlet system. And seeing the junk-build-up in the plenum was hard and dry, and the soot in the elbow-joint where it mixes is wet and oily, I assume it's from the inletchannel, not from the recycled exhaustgas/turbo-ouput. So where DOES this oil come from?

As for the slow acceleration: did two tests: put it in "W" Wintergear. There is simply no difference below 2k. Above it, the acceleration is noticeably slower with the "W" setting on, but below 2k, there's no difference as far as I can tell.
Test two: involuntary: parked the car with the rear wheels against a curb and after visiting someone (so engine cooled), had to drive off in reverse (so the tire had to climb the 5" curb). It didn't want to. I had serious doubts I even had enough power to get away from there, pressing the accelerator further and further without anything happening, when it reluctantly lifted its boot over the curb and I could get out of the parkingspace. Not funny.

Been looking for cheap tuningboxes on ebay to see if they will make a difference, but it's hard to tell the 'resistor' version from the real thing.

I am not willing to put serious money in this car unless I know it is worth it (replacing the engine was enough of a set-back). So the wanted Rica-tune has to wait until I know it is not money down the drain.

[AB-UK]

R-P,
Have you checked that you still have 4-wheel drive?
There has been much discussion in this forum concerning XC90s which are now only front-wheel drive as a result of mechanical failure of one sort or another. Maybe this is the cause of your curb-mounting dificulty.

[R-P]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

R-P,
Have you checked that you still have 4-wheel drive?

I'm kind of afraid to do this... Since buying it I've had >4000€ in costs on the thing. If it turns out the AWD doesn't work, I could have had a similar V70 for 3.5 grand less (and probably not have needed the engine and steeringcolumn replacement of >4 grand, so have saved myself close to 8k€).
I'd rather be ignorant...

Originally Posted by AB-UK

There has been much discussion in this forum concerning XC90s which are now only front-wheel drive as a result of mechanical failure of one sort or another. Maybe this is the cause of your curb-mounting dificulty.

After you posting this, I had a read through some other XC90 posts. And in the XC90 community it seems a totally accepted fact of life that the computer is PROGRAMMED to limit power to save the auto-box. This is mentioned over and over and over again.

[AndyRaps]

I have read through this entire thread going back 4 years and was interested to discover that the solution to the lag problem would appear to be a software update to disable the false neutral selection. I recently reported the lag problem to my local Volvo specialist when mine was in for a service (86K miles - up to now I just accepted the lag as a 'feature' of being underpowered!). The 'specialist' told me that it was a common known problem caused by a faulty Turbo Nozzle Valve and when I researched it on the internet I found many references to the Turbo Control Valve(same thing?) being responsible for similar symptoms. I haven't paid the £150 to get the nozzle/valve replaced yet - does anyone have any experiences to share?

Thanks.

[AB-UK]

I paid my dealer for the software adjustment related to the "false neutral" condition. They told me it "might" help with the delay issue, and also it might improve starting off on a hill (?)
Before forking out the £65 or so, the dealer warned me that:-
a. Some customers had not noticed any difference; and
b. The process was irreversible.

I paid my money, had the software adjustment (so they say) and I could detect no difference in the way the car takes off at junctions or on hills.

I think the problem lies in the design of the autobox itself - it would be nice to compare it with the Grand Cherokee's autobox as that car (equal in size and weight to the XC90) didn't experience the same delay problem when I drove it.
The Jeep does have a 3.0l diesel though.

[Winnybob]

Originally Posted by AndyRaps

I have read through this entire thread going back 4 years and was interested to discover that the solution to the lag problem would appear to be a software update to disable the false neutral selection. I recently reported the lag problem to my local Volvo specialist when mine was in for a service (86K miles - up to now I just accepted the lag as a 'feature' of being underpowered!). The 'specialist' told me that it was a common known problem caused by a faulty Turbo Nozzle Valve and when I researched it on the internet I found many references to the Turbo Control Valve(same thing?) being responsible for similar symptoms. I haven't paid the £150 to get the nozzle/valve replaced yet - does anyone have any experiences to share?

Thanks.

I've just done the same as you and read all the post through to here.. I Have a S60 D5 geartronic (04)
I have severe take off problems when the engines cold. Foot to the floor and nothing. If I rev it alittle and warm it up for a minute before I set off, it responds much better but still with alot of lag. (It has changed my driving style)
Once up to temp it's runs ok and pulls just about. My fuel economy is down(23mpg - comp.) (brim to brim 520miles) and there very little torque.

But once I'm on the motorway it cruises great. I'm hoping it's that little Turbo Nozzle valve. (I can fix that myself) but I may need to take it in for a software check up too. I'm also getting High Emmissions poping up now and again. I guess this sounds bad because the car runs okish just not good. Any advice on a good dealer to take it to in the lancashire(Burnley) or manchester?

If you get any joy changing out the nozzle valve please report it.. I can't get to mine for another week or so.

Cheers
Bob

[R-P]

I've replaced my (leaking) turbo nozzle valve and it makes absolutely no difference.
Obviously I cannot speak for others, but I am very disappointed: I found a real issue and setting it right solved nothing



(The whole (very long and continuing) story here.)