Engine: T5: Finally bit the bullet

[ASt85]

Trying to resolve an "intermittent misfire cyclinder1" (home Vida and DICE) and having changed all 5 plugs again, replaced no1 coil pack and then rotated it through the other 4 cylinders I've come to the conclusion that either at 120Kmiles the throttle body is filthy although it appears crud free, I think it is more likely that either there's a break in the loom wire to coil pack1 or there is fueling issue - tick over is slow at 650rpm, I've replaced fuel filter, air filter and every other service item - pump pressures appear to be in the normal range, there are issues re "rain sensor and o/s door mirror position" out of range.

So, it is booked in with our local trusted Volvo dealer in Aylesford, Lipscomb's on a pm waiting appointment 23 June - sometimes you have to bow to their experience - personally I think there's a problem where the coil loom passes through that rubber block that sits at the right-hand end of cam cover - there is nowhere near enough slack in the post 2001 loom to accommodate the engine rock on tick over - @ £130 inc VAT well worth the money to get a correct diagnosis and get the round town mpg up from 19.6mpg

[MisterGee19]

Your right it sounds like an issue with the loom.. not unknown.
Although 19.6mpg round town for an auto T5 isn’t bad 😂

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by MisterGee19

Your right it sounds like an issue with the loom.. not unknown.
Although 19.6mpg round town for an auto T5 isn’t bad 😂

It does a lot better on a longer journey at 65 to 70mph the car turns in around 35mpg.....as long as I don't accelerate too hard, but the engine just sounds so great when you push it hard!

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by ASt85

Trying to resolve an "intermittent misfire cyclinder1" (home Vida and DICE) and having changed all 5 plugs again, replaced no1 coil pack and then rotated it through the other 4 cylinders I've come to the conclusion that either at 120Kmiles the throttle body is filthy although it appears crud free, I think it is more likely that either there's a break in the loom wire to coil pack1 or there is fueling issue - tick over is slow at 650rpm, I've replaced fuel filter, air filter and every other service item - pump pressures appear to be in the normal range, there are issues re "rain sensor and o/s door mirror position" out of range.

So, it is booked in with our local trusted Volvo dealer in Aylesford, Lipscomb's on a pm waiting appointment 23 June

Result! No fault codes found that would influence engine management - diagnosis almost certainly an intermittent plug misfire.

Q Would I like them to try and narrow it down?

A Definitely and so plugs and coils were rotated on a "three running cylinders test sequence" - fault quicky found and definitely identified as a dodgy plug.

Q Would I like a new set put in?

A Definitely.

Result one purring T5 back on full song. Which means that out of two packs of 5 Volvo plugs that I had bought 1 in each pack was faulty; I'd found one and changed the full set within days of the fault first appearing after a home service. Knowing how reliable the Volvo plugs are it just didn't seem possible that there could be a second faulty plug in a fresh pack. As both packs arrived in the same courier delivered protected package, I can only think they were either damaged by me when I put them in the engine, (first time for everything) or they were damaged in transit - I doubt they were faulty when they left the factory or the dealer I bought them from for that matter.

Total bill for the code reads, fault finding, new set of plugs and labour was £220 which included a full car valet! In other words, £50 more than a full tank of V-Power E5 these days, which hopefully won't be consumed at the same rate now the car's back on all 5 cylinders all the time. Bonus point, the rain sensor is now working perfectly.

The Volvo in-house coffee was excellent - I just wish they'd market that as well.

My thanks to Lipscomb Volvo Maidstone.

[VOLVOBOY]

I do like a happy ending...
Glad you got it sorted.

[MisterGee19]

Originally Posted by ASt85

It does a lot better on a longer journey at 65 to 70mph the car turns in around 35mpg.....as long as I don't accelerate too hard, but the engine just sounds so great when you push it hard!

Oh yeah tell me about it.
I did 300 miles with two bikes on the roof rack yesterday and got an indicated 26mpg… scary to think that that’s basically a £100 journey these days 😔

[barrybritcher]

thats a good deal - doing it yourself is about £120 for the loom only