Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:36:51 -0500 webmaster@volvospeed.com (Volvospeed Forums) IP.Blog 60 To Do List
1. The car occasionally shivers. So. I just read an email from November (Oh how I've neglected this site!!! I had to graduate college, though.) about the MAF sensor. I feel much more educated now. I will first disconnect the MAF sensor to see if the car is running smoother without it connected. (The connection could be bad, too, so I will look at the connector to see if it has any buildup, etc.) My car has just passed the 125k mark, so.... it's about time for this to go bad, but I'm hoping it's not this. Anyways, I'm going to go ahead and change out the plug wires, dist. cap and rotor. I can actually do this for cheaper than I thought - the total in parts from FCP would be around $95.00, which is about the cost of a set of wires from the dealership. We'll see where this will take us...

2. Rear driver side passenger door lock - I have destroyed the assembly completely, so I'm just going to buy a new one, at my favorite place fcp. Hopeing to have this done by March.

3. Brake Service - My dad is AWESOME at this. I can't wait to have his trademark brake service. Makes them nice and responsive (one touch to stop!) and not kinda muggy, like they are now. They're not awful, but I would like him to take a look at it.

4. Front passenger red door light. Must've slammed onto the seat belt buckle and chipped. Just another small, cosmetic thing. Asked the dealership - $26.00! I kinda expected this, but I held off, I might check a junk yard or something. Hmmm. I'll probably go to the dealer.... eventually.

5. Drink holder between fron seats. One of the rings are missing. Found some replacements on ebay, for about $45. Though I have thought about trying to fix the one I have. Could go the junk yard route again.

6. Dent by the trunk on the top side panel. Not too bad, but a pet peeve of mine. My boyfriend's brother knows how to paint... but I might take it to get it done at a paint place. You know what they say about family and business. I rather be mad at someone I don't know. Eh. I might get him to do it after all. I want him to paint the back bumper, too.

7. I'd like to add a cargo net to my trunk. It'd be cool! Don't know how I will anchor it in, though.

8. Small teeny rust spot by the sun roof and one on the hood. (probably from a rock, chip or something. Some light touch-up work ought to fix it.

9. Shift microswitch needs to be replaced - a $20 piece that I could replace within an hour. I'll probably get to this this month.

10. I need new wiper blades. They're not awful, but I need new wiper inserts, really, and I can't find a pair that fit, since the blades are not OEM.

11. Tires. My tires are supposed to be new, but there is somethign wrong with them. They aren't round completely, so the ride is just a tad bumpy. They're wierd tires, because the pressure is higher. Something from Wal-mart. Go figure. Their warranties are non-transferable. But I don't have to have new ones at the moment. I might wait for spring to come. Couple of months and I'll go ahead, give in and get 4 new goodyears or something.]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:37:30 -0600 To Do List
Flickering light issue has gone away (perhaps temporarily) after my dad tapped... ok, more than tapped on the door lock assembly part. It hasn't been flickering lately (I've probably just jinxed myself.) Anyways, I was told to take a look to see if there were any shorts from a member here. I will do that, but after my trip to Florida - if anything, I might go to a junk yard and asee how much they charge for a used door lock assembly.

As for the plug wires, I found out that they are $100 from the dealership. Yowza but, the parts guy said if there is nothing wrong with what I have in right now, not to worry about changing them. So, I will wait.


So my updated List 3 of to do's (in order of importance) is:

1. Driver side passenger door lock - won't pop up when I use the remote - you have to manually pull it to unlock the door. I like to put my book bag in the seat behind me and I can't do this yet. Arg. I'm pretty sure it's the Red Evil Plastic Lever (REPL) that Bay 13 (volvospeed.com) so lovingly described. It's fixable as long as I take my time (patience is key)! It'll save me $90. ARg. I couldn't finish working on it last night. My family curse of forgetfulness - I forgot to screw the tiny screw back into the assembly. So I can't open the door at all. (I'll need to slim jim the golden part of the assembly to unlock the door and take the assembly out to fix it. Though I have been thinking about going to a junk yard. dry.gif It's just a lot of work to try to file that pin and get it out.)

2. Brake Service - My dad is AWESOME at this. I can't wait to have his trademark brake service. Makes them nice and responsive (one touch to stop!) and not kinda muggy, like they are now. They're not awful, but I would like him do get to this.

3. Front passenger red door light. Must've slammed onto the seat belt buckle and chipped. Just another small, cosmetic thing. Asked the dealership - $26.00! I kinda expected this, but I held off, I might check a junk yard or fcp groton or something. Hmmm. At leas I have a ball-park figure. I can't believe how fast everything is coming along lately. I'm kinda worried that something big will break, because this seems too good to be true that I most of my to do list down to small cosmetic things.

4. Drink holder between fron seats. One of the rings are missing. Found some replacements on ebay, for about $45. Though I have thought about trying to fix the one I have. Could go the junk yard route again

5. Dent by the trunk on the top side panel. Not too bad, but a pet peeve of mine. My boyfriend's brother knows how to paint... but I might take it to get it done at a paint place. You know what they say about family and business. I rather be mad at someone I don't know.

6. I'd like to add a cargo net to my trunk. It'd be cool! Don't know how I will anchor it in, though.]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:21:51 -0500 To Do List
So my NEW list of to do's (in order of importance) is:

1. Rotate & Balance - she could use one, not badly, but a good idea. Also, flickering light issue which could very well go under #3, cept it's a different door. So that could mean I need 2 door lock assemblys. Arg.

2. Spark plug wires, rotor, & distributor. (Got new plugs....need to get on the rest of it for a true tune-up!!!)

2. Driver side passenger door lock - won't pop up when I use the remote - you have to manually pull it to unlock the door. I like to put my book bag in the seat behind me and I can't do this yet. Arg. I'm pretty sure it's the Red Evil Plastic Lever (REPL) that Bay 13 (volvospeed.com) so lovingly described. It's fixable as long as I take my time (patience is key)! It'll save me $90. ARg. I couldn't finish working on it last night. My family curse of forgetfulness - I forgot to screw the tiny screw back into the assembly. So I can't open the door at all. (I'll need to slim jim the golden part of the assembly to unlock the door and take the assembly out to fix it. Though I have been thinking about going to a junk yard. It's just a lot of work to try to file that pin and get it out.)

3. Brake Service - My dad is AWESOME at this. I can't wait to have his trademark brake service. Makes them nice and responsive (one touch to stop!) and not kinda muggy, like they are now. They're not awful, but I would like him do get to this.

4. Front passenger red door light. Must've slammed onto the seat belt buckle and chipped. Just another small, cosmetic thing.

5. Drink holder between fron seats. One of the rings are missing. Found some replacements on ebay, for about $45. Though I have thought about trying to fix the one I have.

6. Dent by the trunk on the top side panel. Not too bad, but a pet peeve of mine. My boyfriend's brother knows how to paint... but I might take it to get it done at a paint place. You know what they say about family and business. I rather be mad at someone I don't know.

7. I'd like to add a cargo net to my trunk. It'd be cool! Don't know how I will anchor it in, though.]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:21:43 -0500 To Do List

Alas, though two more things I will have to add. The left side panels (on driver and rear passenger doors) have started to infamously bubble. I will try to fix this myself with help from the family, but we'll see.

So my NEW list of to do's (in order of importance) is:

1. Clean throttle body. I'm having the slightest rough idleing, especially when I stop... like something is clogged, but it's not bad. I really should clean this, but I'm not sure exactly how to go about this without taking it to the dealer.

2. Spark plug wires, rotor, & distributor. (Got new plugs....need to get on the rest of it!!)

2. Driver side passenger door lock - won't pop up when I use the remote - won't pop up at all, you have to manually pull it to unlock the door. I like to put my book bag in the seat behind me and I can't do this yet. Arg. I'm pretty sure it's the Red Evil Plastic Lever (REPL) that Bay 13 (volvospeed.com) so lovingly described. It's fixable as long as I take my time (patience is key)! It'll save me $90.

3. Brake Service - My dad is AWESOME at this. I can't wait to have his trademark brake service. Makes them nice and responsive (one touch to stop!) and not kinda muggy, like they are now. They're not awful, but I would like him do get to this.

4. Front passenger door light cover. Must've slammed onto the seat belt buckle and chipped. Just another small, cosmetic thing.

5. Drink holder between fron seats. One of the rings are missing. Found some replacements on ebay, for about $45.

6. Dent by the trunk on the top side panel. Not too bad, but a pet peeve of mine. My boyfriend's brother knows how to paint... but I might take it to get it done at a paint place. You know what they say about family and business. I rather be mad at someone I don't know.

7. I'd like to add a cargo net to my trunk. It'd be cool! Don't know how I will anchor it in, though. ]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:21:32 -0500 Air Pump YaYas
Ok, so on the new car, the idling was always a *teeny tiny teensy* bit rough (was eventually going to get to that) - after a day's trip to Atlanta (from Nashville) and back, something is wrong with the car!! The trip was this past Tuesday and yesterday night (Thursday), I noticed this.

There is a smell - never smelled it before anywhere, kinda like fireworks (after you shoot them off) mixed in with a mineral spirits/metallic smell. The funny thing is, I can't see smoke and it goes away once you turn the car off. (Why I think something is in the engine...) My boyfriend thinks it's my transmission (changing the fluid was on the to do list - it was very unmaintenenced by the previous owners...), but then if so why would my car idle so rough? It feels like I'm on a boat... seriously! I haven't checked the oil to see if it's a blown head gasket (the temperature gauge points perfectly in the middle when the engine warms up and the engine never over heated in the first place) - I am at work and am heading to my dad's (a 10 minutes drive) as soon as I get off.

Also, today on our way to work, it works fine with higher rpm, but when I let off the gas pedal to slow down and it felt like the engine was choking (like it needed spark plugs or something, except when you need spark plugs this usually happens when you push the gas and not let go, right?)

So, here is a list of what could have led to this: (or what I have gathered)
1. Tranny fluid/tranny itself
2. letting the gas tank get empty before I fill it (hey, I am in college... the guy at work said it could be dirty/bad fuel injectors)
3. bad timing belt? timing off (dealer exchanged at 75k, the car is 116k now, could it have gotten messed up with my #6 experience?)
4. throttle body hasn't been cleaned (on the to do list)
5. air pump is out; why the engine light is on and I confirmed this with the dealer (still haven't replaced that one 'cause I thought it could wait - maybe it's just fried itself completely, but wouldn't that smell after the engine was off and it wouldn't cause the engine to idle rough.... right?)
6. a small incident that I think may have led to this: (no woman jokes please) on our trip back from Atlanta, I stopped at a gas station, but on the off ramp to get there, I took a wrong turn and decided since no one was there I would back up and go the other way - well, as soon as I back up, there is this giant semi coming and I try to stop the car, throw it in drive (like in the good 'ol manual days, without thinking) and the car chokes out and dies (kinda like letting the clutch go while in gear) I restart the car and it is running rough, but then is fine. No problems until Thurs. ...did I throw off the timing? Why does it smell? Did I destory my car?

Someone from another forum said that it sounded like a catalytic converter going out. I hope this is not the case. Could a faulty air pump cause this? Or would the oxygen snsors go out? The car has 116k. Can you replace these items yourself if you are car savvy or is this a mechanic only repair?


Which brings me to the second entry:]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2005 15:49:58 -0500 To Do List
Hey!

Ok, these are the things that I need to do to my car before she's up and ready to go. At least, without worries.

So:
1. Air pump, SAS Valve (in the mail, hopefully I can change 'em out soon!!)

2. (ECT Fuel Sensor or something like it if the pump doesn't solve current problem)

3. Tranny flush/service - maintenance which was previously ignored

4. Brake Service - My dad is AWESOME at this. I can't wait to have his trademark brake service. Makes them nice and responsive (one touch to stop!) and not kinda muggy, like they are now.

4. Dash lights. I tried to fix these little hoodlums and I forgot to screw one in the rest of the way... now my time/temp bar is half dark. Don't laugh. It's a family curse. I will get to this when I have time. ::blah!::

5. Driver side passenger door lock - won't pop up when I use the remote - won't pop up at all, you have to manually pull it to unlock the door. I really wanted this fixed (I guess it's a motor?) because I LOVE to put my school books in the seat behind me for easy access. Shcool starts Monday! DRAT! It's cool though. More of a workout to reach over to the passenger seat or walk over to the trunk. lol.

5. Radio Lights - need to order these at radio shack - I have the part number somewhere and I'll post it when I can get to this part of my project! Wierd, cause all of them are out ('cept the info bar, which does't use LEDs??), but I think the woman left the night setting for lights on all the time. We'll see.

6. Annoying driver door. It rattles when I listen to music. I don't have any subwoofers or new speakers - all factory. Door shouldn't rattle, though. I just like music. Maybe if the rattle was in rythym and beat then I wouldn't mind it so much.

7. Front passenger door light cover. Must've slammed onto the seat belt buckle and chipped. Just another small, cosmetic thing.

8. Drink holder between fron seats. One of the rings are missing.

9. Dent by the trunk on the top side panel. Not too bad, but a pet peeve of mine. My boyfriend's brother knows how to paint... but I might take it to get it done at a paint place. you know what they say about family and business. I rather be mad at someone I don't know.

Everything else is perfect. The body is good inside and out. I can't wait until I can have it in the shape the 850 was in (PERFECT!) ]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2005 15:46:51 -0500 Air Pump YaYas
1. I talked to a parts guy at the Volvo dealership (both of them in my area are pretty nice - Nashville and Franklin, the one I was at) and when I described what was happening to my car (the choking, uneven boat engine sound of the engine, the shimmying, and the gas mileage, and the smell) he said that his wife's volvo's ECT fuel sensor (something that sounded like this) had gone out and that was kinda what her car was doing until they replaced it... he said that a catalytic converter is sort of unlikely, even with the mileage (they do go out, but it's not common.)

2. When we were changing out the spark plugs, my dad said the old ones looked like the engine was getting too much fuel. (That ECT part is only about $60 - a far cry from a catalytic converter...)

3. Weird because now there is smoke coming out of the exhaust... more of a sooty, but grayish black and THIN smoke, same smell...

3. BUT First we're going to change out the air pump and the SAS valve (what the check engine code said was wrong), which could also be causing this? The previous owners had gotten the diagnostic and declined the repair (I have the dealership records), hence the good price on the car for do-it-yourselfers... I am probably going to go to Autozone tonight for another diagnostic to see if anything else has popped up in the meantime. (I will post them here) Thanks so much!!!! That is amazing. I never knew about that and I was thinking about going to the dealer for this! JRL & MadeInJapan - you're awesome!! Thanks for the info!

4. The parts guy said to clean the throttle body as well - I was going to anyway, but quick question: what does this part do? Just curious and I don't want to wait 'til my dad gets off of work to find out.

That's about where I stand. If anyone knows where I can find a really good air pump for a really good price, please let me know. I will try the fcp site - I heard someone found one somewhere for about $300... Also, I've heard rumors that the S70 and 850 air pumps are the same pump (part #, too) but are priced differently depending on the model of volvo that you ask about. Any info/advice? I'd like to go ahead and get these parts so this can be fixed by the weekend (sooner, if I can get the parts here), so I can see if it works - kinda scared to drive the car around like this but I don't have another ride! Arg. I just don't want to screw anything else up by not getting to the root fast enough.

Oh, and I finally scheduled a transmission fluid change at a local Mr. Transmission - (did you know that they don't do flushes because they think it tears stuff up? How cool - they do it the old-fashioned way... heard good things about them, too... I hope they will do a good job! -comments on experiences will be greatly appreciated!!)
.........
and after a few replies from helpful people: (why I LOVE LOVE LOVE forums)

OMG!!!!!! "9179271 Air Pump fits all models $295.00 Genuine Volvo or Pierburg" from fcp.

I love you people!!! (I thought $380 at least with my luck!!!) I will be able to eat this week. ]]> Mon, 22 Aug 2005 14:09:19 -0500