XC 90 D5 185 "Engine System Service Required"

[Harley Dave]

Deleted

[Paul Heaton]

Hello, I have a 2006 Xc90, the swirl flap connecting rod is broken and does not operate the swirl flaps, this has been broken for over a year. If I put my foot down I usually get an engine service required message. I have been looking at the repair options for the actuator arm. I am concerned that if I repair it after it has been in operational for so long will the carbon and exhaust build up cause problems. Thanks

[dambat]

You can check if the actuator cam moves by hand prior to installing the arm.

Mine just broke. With the actuator set to fully open, I see no difference with or without the swirl flaps working. My actuator cam is really loose and has a fair bit of lateral movement, which means the bushing is probably gone - probably part of the reason it broke the arm.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by dambat

You can check if the actuator cam moves by hand prior to installing the arm.

Mine just broke. With the actuator set to fully open, I see no difference with or without the swirl flaps working. My actuator cam is really loose and has a fair bit of lateral movement, which means the bushing is probably gone - probably part of the reason it broke the arm.

You would if it broke in the closed position!

[dambat]

Fair enough, but if it is as free as mine, it will move to open anyway as the cam falls.

[Kev0607]

So long as you aren't getting any warning messages or limp mode (Which is unlikely if the swirl flaps are stuck open), then its not an urgent thing to fix. Other forums seem to suggest that swirl arms stuck to the open position may affect fuel economy at lower speeds/in traffic, or the engine response might not be quite as good.

Its not unheard of that owners have actually “tied” the swirl flaps to the open position (so they can't close) & have been left like that for many years. I’m not sure what parts they tie off, as if the arm is broken & flaps are stuck open, what’s the need?

[Kev0607]

Double post, accidentally**

[NMB]

One simple solution, assuming that there is no visible early, would be to check your airbox and make sure that the air filter is relatively clean and not blocked. I’ve had this before where the MAF Is reporting a fault driven by the fact the airfield has not been replaced in years.

I would also try removing the connectors to the match and to the injectors just to make sure that there is no corrosion causing the signal fault.

From the sound of it, and the worst case appears you might need to buy a new MAF and a new injector. Neither are too expensive if you like the car. Of course, there is always the risk that there are wider problems which are not obvious at this time.

As another thought, I would check the left side of the engine (Front) and look for your Swirl flap arm. If this has become disconnected, it could report injector and MAF faults And the solution could simply be reconnecting the plastic arm. Replacing the arm would cost about £7.

[Danielpsmith]

My c30 d5 broke its swirl arm recently but didn’t really notice until yesterday when over taking and got the message on the dash I bought a new one from Volvo for £7.44 all in and it was really tight to clip back on.

The old one was just worn inside so wouldn’t stay on but the new one is like night and day and it drives so much better a lot more responsive and quicker.

[Marquez93]

Hi OP, I too have a XC90 2.5 185 2010 model with 107k Miles. I am getting an intermittent engine system service required, on scanning it's showing 135f mass airflow sensor faulty signal. The swirl flaps have been deactivated and I've had a pipe replaced that runs underneath the car (not sure which as it was a while ago) I was getting a whoosh noise prior to replacement though. This engine system service required comes and goes, normally no effect on performance but today when it came on it wouldn't rev past 2500. I throttled off and reapplied throttle and it went past 2500 and has continued to drive well. It seems to be triggered when going up hill if that helps?? I've just spent £900 on steering wheel sensor, wishbones, tie rods and a whole pile of other stuff so this is really bugging me aaaargh!