S80: General S80 2.4 D5 power surge problem.

[Vol S80 Lux]

Hello all.

I have a volvo s80 2.4 d5 2006 with 155k miles on the clock.

This winter Iv noticed that when Im on the motorway slip road and trying to accelerate to a good speed the cars power surges on and off. It revs just above 2000rpm then drops below 2000rpm and starts to accelerate again. This continues until I ease off the throttle.

One more thing Iv noticed is that when the car is cold it sometimes stutters as though its about to stall even if the car is in neutral. The only thing that stops it from stalling is pressing the clutch pedel to the bottom.

I dnt know if they're linked so maybe someone here can help.

Thanks in advance.

[green van man]

The only time I had a problem like that it turned out to be the throttle pedal, did however throw an engine management light on the dash.
Have you checked the turbo pipework? Could be you're loosing boost via a small split that opens and closes.
Have you had the car read for fault codes?

Paul.

[Vol S80 Lux]

Originally Posted by green van man

The only time I had a problem like that it turned out to be the throttle pedal, did however throw an engine management light on the dash.
Have you checked the turbo pipework? Could be you're loosing boost via a small split that opens and closes.
Have you had the car read for fault codes?

Paul.

Hi Paul
Iv not had any codes read because there arent any warning lights on the dash. I cleaned the egr valve and the butterfly thats connects to the egr in the summer. Power delivery/throttle response was fantastic then but has dropped a bit with the colder weather which is expected. This power surge problem is a new one to me though.
Funnily enough the stuttering problem has resolved itself.

[tommyweaves]

Boost pressure sensor faulty? It won't necessarily throw a fault code.

[Vol S80 Lux]

Thanks for the suggestions. Iv noticed this is an intermittent fault. Its due a service soon so Ill get that done and see if that helps. Hopefully it will.

[Ant B]

Originally Posted by Vol S80 Lux

Hello all.

I have a volvo s80 2.4 d5 2006 with 155k miles on the clock.

This winter Iv noticed that when Im on the motorway slip road and trying to accelerate to a good speed the cars power surges on and off. It revs just above 2000rpm then drops below 2000rpm and starts to accelerate again. This continues until I ease off the throttle.

Is yours a manual? Sounds like this could be the clutch slipping, maybe (assuming it’s only happening under throttle load)?

[Vol S80 Lux]

Originally Posted by Ant B

Is yours a manual? Sounds like this could be the clutch slipping, maybe (assuming it’s only happening under throttle load)?

Yes its a 6 speed manual gearbox.

Your suggestion seems rather credible since stopping the car from stalling in the colder conditions is done by pressing the clutch pedal in to the bottom so maybe a clutch issue is to blame.

I always thought the sign of a clutch on its way out is when the biting point is too high or the car struggles to climb hills. Iv not noticed either with my car. Maybe Im just not well informed.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Ant B

Is yours a manual? Sounds like this could be the clutch slipping, maybe (assuming it’s only happening under throttle load)?

Came to my mind too.

[Ant B]

Originally Posted by Vol S80 Lux

Yes its a 6 speed manual gearbox.

Your suggestion seems rather credible since stopping the car from stalling in the colder conditions is done by pressing the clutch pedal in to the bottom so maybe a clutch issue is to blame.

I always thought the sign of a clutch on its way out is when the biting point is too high or the car struggles to climb hills. Iv not noticed either with my car. Maybe Im just not well informed.

Yep, both of those are also signs the clutch is wearing out, but another is if you press the throttle and the engine revs rise but your speed doesn’t, ie the rise in engine revs isn’t translated to the drivetrain. This would be most noticeable and more likely to occur under high torque load (say 2,000-2,5000rpm in a D5); in fact the clutch might be able to handle the amount of torque at lower engine speeds fine, but only start slipping when you floor it and put 400Nm+ through it.

Definitely worth getting it checked out, it could cure your problem(s) by the sound of it...?

[S60D5-185]

If the clutch was slipping the revs would rise but the road speed would not ( incrementally ), however the OP states that the car revs only to just above 2k . A slipping clutch would have nothing to do with the revs being restricted.

As has been said, the codes need to be read.