sudden loss of power V40 1.9d

[mrmisior]

Please point me in the right direction to the fault:

- on idle maximum rpm (flooring the pedal) is about 3500 rpm
- on a flat road: max speed 30 mph @ 3rd gear, on 4th gear car is decelerating
- going up hill: max speed 20 mph @ 2nd gear, on 3rd gear car is decelerating rapidly,
- going down hill on 3rd gear pushes the rpm to 4000+
- no boost from turbo @ the usual 1800+ rpm, like the turbo does not exist
- there was no strange noises, not even a sign of turbo packing up so I hope that the problem is elsewhere
- cleaned EGR and disconnected MAF - no difference - still no power

Where do I look?
Help please.

How it started:
Just pulled out - all as normal - after about 1 minute at 30 mph speed the car decelerated itself to about 20 mph. I pressed the pedal harder and gained 30mph however after a moment it decelerated again to 20mph and I could not gain speed any more. Reduced to 2nd gear but still, max I could achieve was 25 mph / 3000 rpm - would not go higher.

[ww1dm1]

Well clearly all your problems stem from the turbo not working, so that's where your focus should be. Perhaps a stuck boost control solenoid, diverting all the flow to the wastegate? Or maybe it's stuck mechanically, you could try to move the wastegate control manually. Did you check for ECU errors?

[bobthecabbage]

You want to get the codes read.

Ideally find a volvo independent specialist (not a dealer) or someone with the volvo diagnostic gear.

Otherwise a generic basic code reader may work on your car. Live data and graphing is useful.

Snap on type scanners may have to be told it is a renault megane 1.9dci to communicate with the engine ecu outside of the generic EOBD standard.

You want to read all the codes and note them down and then clear them, go for a drive and see what comes back.

I'd suggest it strongly points to the MAF sensor but it could also be the MAP sensor (on the intake pipe with 'made in singapore' written on it)

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...CIMG0427-2.jpg

Circled in red.

Also it could be the boost control solenoid which is on the bulkhead and attached to the turbo by a rubber vacuum hose (plus two others going elsewhere).

Obviously the turbo could be knackered, you could take the pipe off and see if you can spin it by hand. Not 100% because the shaft could be broken in two!

Does it smoke a fair bit? If so I would strongly consider the maf but get the codes read before buying one. I got a genuine renault parts chain siemens vdo unit from eurocarparts for about £120. Avoid ebay as all the sellers try to decieve you into thinking they are selling a genuine unit when they aren't. Also avoid buying anything other than a siemens vdo unit if you don't want further trouble down the line.

[mrmisior]

Thank you for the answers.

ww1dm1:
I put my ear next to the turbo, revved up I and it did sound normal to me.
So I went to a local garage, which I trust - same conclusion: turbo sounds normal.

As you said the boost from turbo may be going to wastegate?
The 'boost control solenoid' is it the device at which 2 red arrows point in the photo in 2nd reply? i will try to find vid or guide of how to clean/repair it.

Thank you!

bobthecabbage:
I will try generic basic code reader.
Do you have a recommendation?

Regarding the MAF. I had a bit of a loss of power 2 years back. Disconnecting the MAF fixed it immediately pointing to a faulty MAF.
This time disconnecting MAF made no difference.

How to check MAP? Disconnect as well?

No smoke at all.

We think (me and garage) that the turbo itself is fine.
Thank you for your answer and the photo.
Is the red arrow pointing at the 'boost control solenoid' ?

[ww1dm1]

The solenoid is on the right of the right red arrow in Bob's picture. The one with 3 small hoses, I believe.

You mentioned that you're not getting boost in your first message. How did you determine that in the first place? Do you not hear it spooling up? If so, how did your mechanic decide that it sounds fine?

[mrmisior]

I do hear it spooling up, yes but still car is like a heavy cow and does not rev up over 3500. Going up hill at max speed 25mph and if put it in 3rd gear it decelerates rapidly.

[bobthecabbage]

As described the boost control solenoid is to the right of the right hand arrow and has 3 hoses coming off it. One goes to the turbo to a little tin can thing with a rod coming out of it that attaches to a lever on the turbo and controls the boost. Another hose is the vacuum supply and finds its way back to the vacuum pump. The third one goes to the air pipe coming from the MAF and air filter and is an air admission pipe to release the vacuum when required.

The black cylinder the right arrow points to is the vacuum reserve tank which is mainly for the engine stop valve that closes off air to the engine for about four seconds after you switch the ignition off.

If you look at the tin can thing on the top of the turbo and watch it as someone starts the car, you will see that the rod moves up as the vacuum builds. Then if you get someone to rev the engine, you will see that it (the rod) moves up and down.

If nothing happens then you could try removing the pipe from the top of the tin can to see if it has any vacuum (engine running).

If no vacuum then you need to check all those little rubber pipes to make sure they aren't split, worn through, kinked or collapsed (often where it bends).

If it looks a bit flat then it may be acting like a valve when under vacuum.

As for code readers.

I have an Autel AL519 which can read codes, live data and do graphs. Mine is supposedly a genuine one but most are chinese clones or chinese market ones. The only way to get a genuine one is to buy from an authorised Sealey dealer as they are the UK importer for Autels lower end stuff.

I cannot tell you if it will work on your car though as in Europe it only claims to work on diesel cars 2004 or newer. I know some 2003 cars are compatible.

If it works it will give you basic codes but won't give live data for the MAF sensor to see if its working properly. It will read the MAP though so that you can see if you are getting boost (which most likely you aren't or not much anyway).

As this issue could be so many things a diagnostic should be your first step. It could be a fuel issue.

It does sound like the MAF but could also be anything else connected to airflow or fuel supply. Could even be a blocked catalytic converter.

[aldred309uk]

There's a few small rubber hoses which I played with when diagnosing an issue with mine, whenever I unplugged any of them I had your symptoms. The map sensor caused these symptoms too.

Check the little hoses to the boat control valve are all connected at all ends. Hth.

[V40 Gaz]

Has it gone into limp mode?
I had it happen to mine, a sensor must've given a false reading. Disconnect the battery for 12 hours to let everything reset, then try again.

[1stVolvodriver]

Hi. Did you sort the problem ?, it sounds identical to mine