S40: Engine Cutting Out

[PetrolBlood]

Hi, I don't use forums often so don't even know if I'm doing this right.
Anyway, lately I've been having problems with my V plate S40 1.6 petrol, roughly 90,000 miles on the clock.

Occasionally the engine splutters then cuts out completely. I've had the car since December and changed the fuel filter after a couple of months only to discover that the filter that was on it was not only incorrect for the car, but also that filter had not been produced for at least a decade and was black inside. I then got it changed it again about a month ago (after the engine cut out 3 times in one night) thinking it might be the problem. However it has happened again 4 times in the past 2 days.

It seems to run fine for a few days, even a couple of weeks between sets of 3-4 relatively quick succession breakdowns.

The other night it cut, got it started and drove 30-odd miles with a off period while a a friends house before it cut again.

When it breaks down it splutters with severe loss of power then cuts, if I'm quick enough when it splutters I can apply the clutch and rev the engine a little and it stops it cutting completely. The only lights that come on are the same as when it's stalled.

Once it does cut it takes a few attempts to start again, last night it took a good 15 mins of trying to start without over straining my starter. After it did start I moved out of the lay-by and it started spluttering, so I revved it and kept it going, managed to drive home without any more splutters/cuts.

Have taken it to the local garage but they said that without it being actually broken down when they see it, obviously, it's very difficult to tell what it is.

It's really starting to get on my nerves, I adore my S40, and was planing on keeping it until it was basically run into the ground. But, it has seriously made me start thinking of selling it and buying something else.

Need to try and sort it before it affects things like my work.
Any help or suggestions as to what it could be will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

[gatos]

have you tried reading the diagnostic OBD2 codes? they may point to the problem. Other things I can think of, is the fuel pump playing up, or camshaft position sensor. When were the spark plugs last changed? Also, when you start your car, does it crank for a long time before it fires up, or does it start with 1-2 seconds (possible FPR failure)? Finally, next time this happens, try unplugging the MAF sensor and see if it makes a difference.

[rigo3t]

Originally Posted by gatos

have you tried reading the diagnostic OBD2 codes? they may point to the problem. Other things I can think of, is the fuel pump playing up, or camshaft position sensor. When were the spark plugs last changed? Also, when you start your car, does it crank for a long time before it fires up, or does it start with 1-2 seconds (possible FPR failure)? Finally, next time this happens, try unplugging the MAF sensor and see if it makes a difference.

If it's none of those things, is there anything else we can check? I have an auto S40 T and about a week ago, my engine switched off in a traffic light. About two months ago I cleaned the idle throttle valve, so I don't think this is an issue. Maybe the whole intake should be cleaned too?

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by rigo3t

If it's none of those things, is there anything else we can check? I have an auto S40 T and about a week ago, my engine switched off in a traffic light. About two months ago I cleaned the idle throttle valve, so I don't think this is an issue. Maybe the whole intake should be cleaned too?

Once you have serviced the engine correctly (Volvo plugs), then although the Haynes book of lies might help in terms of simple things like an air leak, you can go around in circles with any modern ECU engine guessing at what might be wrong, BUT once you have a stored fault code (If it cut out, it will have stored a code), there is a much better chance of finding the fault.
Blocked fuel filters or air leaks into the fuel line (Often an incorrectly installed filter) are an exception in fault code terms, as they might not cause a code.

If you are a long term owner who wants to do his own maintenance, a good reader and Volvo software copy are a good investment.

[rigo3t]

Hi Skyship, so my ELM327 finally arrived.

This is the diagnostic that it spat out...

P0102 "Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low Input

and ErrorMIL: On (1) Spark Ignition

So I'm guessing I will start cleaning the MAF out and hopefully it won't be necessary to replace it (I know it's better to replace it). Also I will check out the coils, cables and spark plugs to see if it helps.

I have some interesting readings from the diagnostic, some ideas would help out a lot too. Here are some screenshots...

These are the screenshots

http://imgur.com/a/FuHAU

[PetrolBlood]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help, sorry I took so long to thank you. I don't get on here often at the moment!

Since Posting this I've been keeping my petrol tank above about 1/4, and that seems to stop it happening so often, and seems to start/return to normal quicker.
It went for quite a while without stopping, I'd say at least a month... It was long enough, in fact, that I'd stopped thinking about it.

Once I have figured out the actual problem is I'll post an update on here.

Cheers!