7 replies to this topic

[BoostedSwede]

This is on my sister's 1997 850 NA. About 200k miles on it. The car keeps losing power to the point that she can't maintain speed, then all of a sudden it gains it back. It also won't rev out to redline in park...holds at about 5,300rpm. The car also feels like it's lacking power, even when it seems to be acting normally. Here's the kicker: no CEL is on.

The car seems to be in a good state of tune...all recent tune-up work done by me. I can't figure out for the life of me what it is. The one thing that I'm thinking is that it might be a clogged cat...it does rattle a bit, but I'd think that would throw a CEL, would it not? Thanks for any help!

[AdirondackVolvo]

My guess, is likely to be a bad connection within the ignition system. Try checking connections at the coil.

Not sure about a clogged cat, as the last time i dealt with one of those it was spewing liquid hot metal out the tailpipe of my buds S-10..... It was just losing power and not gaining any back either...

[BoostedSwede]

I also just had a thought that it could be the fuel filter or fuel pump as well....

Although the ignition coil does look quite worn. I should probably try that before a new cat.

[Jardim]

Vaccum leaks could aslo cause a loss in power.

[BoostedSwede]

Ok, put on a brand new ignition coil today, and it still does it. So I think it's fuel related. Still no CEL.

I did notice that there is an odor of gas around the injector rail, and that some of the injector o-rings seem to be seeping a very small amount of fuel. Could injector o-rings be the culprit? The car seems to run well 95% of the time, it just seems to have a little less power than it should. WHen it stumbles, it acts like it's bogging down, and if you nail the gas, it usually picks up and goes. Then it runs fine again. Weird.

Any more input? Please?

[misa]

BoostedSwede, on 10 December 2011 - 05:53 PM, said:

...It also won't rev out to redline in park...holds at about 5,300rpm.

It will not rev IN PARK after 5300rpm,because it's one of the safety features in order to protect the engine.

That said...while the car is in "N" or "P" position,you can keep the gas pedal to the floor and the rpm will not go after 5300rpm.

About loosing the power while driving...my suspect would be the fuel delivery:fuel pump,fuel pump relay,bad fuel pressure regulator or a clogged fuel filter.

Since you allready said that some of the injectors are leaking and you can smell a fuel from them,maybe that could be the problem.

[Tommy.]

BoostedSwede, on 12 December 2011 - 12:17 AM, said:

Ok, put on a brand new ignition coil today, and it still does it. So I think it's fuel related. Still no CEL.

I did notice that there is an odor of gas around the injector rail, and that some of the injector o-rings seem to be seeping a very small amount of fuel. Could injector o-rings be the culprit? The car seems to run well 95% of the time, it just seems to have a little less power than it should. WHen it stumbles, it acts like it's bogging down, and if you nail the gas, it usually picks up and goes. Then it runs fine again. Weird.

Any more input? Please?

I cleaned my injectors on my one wagon and it was completely different after that. Go to Napa and get an injector rebuild kit, o-rings/filter/cap shouldn't cost you more than $15 and it would ensure you are receiving proper fuel at the rail when you do it. Really easy and cheap.

[atefitty]

tap on the cat..see if it rattles..catalyst could be broken up and clogging...I would hook up a fuel pressure tester and see if the pressure drops during acceleration. also check the airbox..had a customer with your symptoms and found the airbox full of dogfood...rodents love volvo's