Bit of advice needed guys(1995 855 T5R Auto)

[JCT5R]

Firstly......Happy new year to you all.

Lambda Light came on yesterday,i will try and list all symptoms in order leading up to this happening.

About 5 days ago i noticed she was surging a little under medium acceleration (60-70mph).
Also noticed the temperature needle was ever so slightly above normal (half a needles width higher than usual (usually sits marginally below the 3 o`clock pos).

3 days ago she began ticking over a little bit lumpy but rpm still sat at 800-900rpm stationary.

The car still pulled away well with good gearbox changes and was boosting normally.No strange smells or noises at all,no excess smoke from the exhaust.

Yesterday (new years eve) i was cruising down the A127 at approx 70mph when my lambda light came on but the car still drove as normal although my fuel consumption has got steadily worse (approx 18-20 mpg on a motorway run at a steady 70mph.Definitely no petrol leaks anywhere.

Parked the car up at home,let it tick over for a while and although ticking over a little bit lumpy it was still sitting at 800-900 rpm but rose to approx 1100 just once and then dropped back to normal.

Lambda light still on..........no other warning lights showing on the dash either.

The car is totally standard spec.

I know i need the code/s read to pinpoint the problem but would it be ok to drive to a specialist/independent approx 20 miles from me,just dont want to cause any damage by using it more than i need to.........any ideas ??????


John.

[JCT5R]

I`ve done a thread search and i am now just plain confused !!!

I`ve also checked hoses for air leaks but can find no split or perished hoses but will check again.

John.

[Paul Clifton]

As you have already said the codes will need to be read to determine where to start looking otherwise you are just groping in the dark, no good anyone just guessing!
If the car appears to drive without any undue problem I don't see any reason not to drive it to your garage/dealer/independant.

Paul.

[JCT5R]

Thanks Paul

Just wondered if it rang a bell for anyone on here if these symptoms seemed familiar.

John.

[JCT5R]

Just pulled the dipstick out a touch with the engine idling,small amount of smoke coming out the dipstick tube.........possible crankcase breather blockage ?????????????

Would this throw up a lambda light at all ??

John.

[JCT5R]

Originally Posted by pc654

As you have already said the codes will need to be read to determine where to start looking otherwise you are just groping in the dark, no good anyone just guessing!
If the car appears to drive without any undue problem I don't see any reason not to drive it to your garage/dealer/independant.

Paul.

Just re-read your post Paul....RE: Groping in the dark,no good anyone just guessing !!

I was simply stating my issues/problems with my car as best i could just relating my experiences to see if anybody else on here has had the same/similar or related problems which is one of the benefits of being part of it all and sharing problems,advice.tips and possible pointers for all as with the wealth of knowledge/experience available on here.

[Jod T5]

hi there..., i too would suggest that you would appear to have a inlet air leak meaning that you have unmetered air entering the inlet manifold..without a code diagnosis it would be rash to guess where but i would pay particular attention to the rubber elbow attched to the inlet manifold by the thermostat ... http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/vacuum_lines.php ..these are very tricky to replace so often go missed....
i had a severe split in my last elbow and the warning light came on, however i did also clean my throttle housing, iac valve and maf sensor strip at the same time so it may or may not have been related....
cheers
jod

[JCT5R]

Hi Jod

Ive spent many hours doing searches on pvc system/maf sensor/lambda sensor..............PHEW !!!

Thanks for the tip Jod and also the link.......greatly appreciated and as ive noticed on the forums in general .....some good advice too.


John.

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by JCT5R

Hi Jod

Ive spent many hours doing searches on pvc system/maf sensor/lambda sensor..............PHEW !!!

Thanks for the tip Jod and also the link.......greatly appreciated and as ive noticed on the forums in general .....some good advice too.


John.

john, i forgot, with the pcv system, you can check for engine pressure by removing the filler cap with the engine running and placing your palm over the hole....you should be able to feel a VERY slight sucking feeling....if you are experiencing any blowing it would infer that depending on the degree some attention is needed....
if you look at the air intake pipe close to the turbo you will see a tree with a large pipe and a small pipe connected to the tree.., there is also an electrical connector....this is the pcv heater, i would check both these pipes for blockage and damage....
cheers
jod

[JCT5R]

Many thanks Jod.............i will check the areas you have pointed out to me.

I am going to replace various hoses/elbows in the pvc sytem as a matter of course as i dont know the last time this may have done,if at all,by the previous owner............and check the`hidden ` elbow you pointed out to me,i just didnt know it was there !!

As for the possible air leak..............i was advised to let the car idle in neutral and at normal running temperature and take the rpm up to 2500 and see if it holds steady...............if it doesnt and starts to climb and waiver then its 99% indicative of an air leak.........(Adam at volvotuning tip......am i allowed to say that on here ????) LOL.

John.