Lumpy steering and engine hesitant on light acceleration

[Stevenfife]

Hi all, just bought a 52 plate v70 d5,
Has the dim fault which I have already researched and in progress of repairing.
Also it has a hesitation, shudder under light acceleration, once accelerator pressed down further no problems just when touching the accelerator this happens....any ideas?

Also when driving straight steering is fine but when I turn say round a roundabout the steering becomes lumpy, light on and off....is this the steering pump faulty or steering rack faulty or what do you suggest.

My main concern is the dim being repaired as no indicators or instrument panel info. But I need to get these other problems sorted too. I would be most grateful for any info.

Also the car seems to average 21mpg which is crap in my opinion for a diesel. It is an automatic, but 21mpg seriously crap. My dad has a s80 2.4 non turbo petrol and he get low 30's mpg. I thought buy the diesel would better the petrol mpg. Any suggestions as to what can be done to better mpg. Going to give the car a full service. Including fuel filter, check/clean maf and any other things that could cause poor mpg.

That all said, its a lovely car to drive and its a flying machine! Love the space and the built in subwoofer!
Only paid £450 for the car, done 111k. And seemingly had the timing belt done 20k ago.

This will be me my 5th Volvo I've owned, my first car was a 340gl back in the day, the. I've had 2 850s, 2.0 10v and 20v, I believe and then a v70 classic and now this v70. Glaf to be back to Volvo after the jag stype heap. I have mostly been a Saab/volvo man.

I look forward to your responses.

Steven

[4candles]

My first port of call would be check your ps fluid level...

then i'd change the pump for a second hand one, not a big job.

I'd be really hesitant to consider the rack, they are long lived and my own works smooth and faultless even considering its been on the WRONG fluid for years...


But to eliminate a fluid issue it may be worth doing a flush of the system and pouring in some of the proper Volvo 'green' Ps fluid, much as i don't believe it will help!

[IJMOK]

21 mpg!

Even with lots of local driving 40 mpg should be on the radar,

Best i ever managed was 65.5 MPG - checking it brim to brim going down to france in an 03 plate D5

These enginges are well known for injector issues, but you will need somone with VIDA to comfirm that,

Good luck

Rob

[oragex]

Does the steering feel the same when is turned in both directions (left and right)?

[Stevenfife]

Steering seems to feel lumpy only when turning left but tbh I work alot and I've only had the chance of driving back from place of purchase, around 50miles. I'm off Friday and Saturday, my cluster is currently away to volvodiagnostic to be repaired and hopefully back before Thursday when I return home. Then I can drive the car from depot which is where its been since removing the cluster. Then I will be able to have a good look. I did notice that the power steering pump whistling though and clunking coming from front left hand side, so these all may be connected. Overall though I'm impressed with the car especially for £450. I'll be giving it a good service and check injector seals etc and any advise on what should be done service wise would be grateful. Things that could be cleaned/checked ie egr valve sensors etc.

[Stevenfife]

Forgot to mention that I have automatic transmission fluid 8ltrs from when I was replacing stype fluid. Will this be the same for the Volvo box? I do remember the fluid was a pain in the arse to fathom out for the jag as jag said it needed special expensive stuff which I then googled and found alternative, and cheaper....

[4candles]

ooo, you can't go putting the wrong stuff in, it might make it work properly..

[Rover Saloon]

sorry to be a pessimist but your description of 'lumpy' steering is precisely what I had and a new rack was the cure. I did it myself but it's quite a fair sized job. If you need more info on the swap. there's quite a bit already on this forum but get back to me if you need more advice.

[Stevenfife]

Thanks for the replies

I haven't had a real chance to investigate the steering issue but I have checked Ps levels and its OK. So next port of call would be, jack the car up and check the rack, bushes etc. I have noticed the pump whines abit. But looking at the symptoms, it to me sounds like the rack is goosed. ,if it were the pump then steering would be lumpy both ways rather than just left hand.
I had steering rack problems in my jag, so I'm pretty gend up with rack replacement. Wished the Volvo didn't have rack issues but hey Hoy. £450 for the car. Upullit scrapyard 2mins along the road from me so not to bad. Just lack the time as I'm a coach tour driver. Only got Friday Saturday off this week and away again Sunday to Thursday. Mrs will defo not like me if I say "I'm working on the Volvo on my days off" lol.
Steering issue sounds quite straight forward. My main issue is the hesitation when cruising under light acceleration......got my cluster repaired as that was knacked, so still a few things todo. Plus give it a good service including fuel filter etc.

[swedishandgerman]

The lower joint on the steering shaft can become stiff. It is low down and certainly exposed to mank getting thrown up from the front wheel and it's hot from the manifold, so a prime location for corrosion.

When the engine is cold, I would get down there with a can of spray oil, like GT40, WD40 etc. None of those last in the heat, but will definitely show up if it's gone stiff.

I succesfully sorted out the lumpy steering problem on my previous V70 this way. I never got round to changing the joint, but when it kept becoming lumpy - once a year or so - I would get down there with some high temp spray grease. This was after I spent a load of money on replacing the reservoir and new fluid which made no difference.

As above, I would say that a rack is unlikely as I don't see why it would wear out in certain areas. The usual way to chack for a rack failure is when they get so loose that they start weeping fluid; check there's fluid in the reservoir and check for signs of leaks down at the boots on the sides of the rack - squeeze them and make sure they're not full of fluid.

I told the guy I sold it to, but have never heard him say anything since he's had it so I guess it's still OK.