1999 V70 T5 Hates Visiting My Folks (Two Mountain Ranges Away)

[hoenisch]

Wondering if perhaps I'm pushing my engine too hard when driving and visiting my folks?

I live on the West Coast of Canada and the last 3 trips, some 400km away on a 110 km/h highway crossing two mountain ranges, have spent not less than $1000 in the garage each time. 110 km/h usually means 120-130 - Is this pushing it too hard up the mountains - in particular?

Last weekend was the latest losing a valve (zero compression in #1) and is costing me a new used engine because a new head was a little more (~$500) installed. Still costing me in the range of $4000 after taxes, etc...

A friend suggested I invest in an Engine Exhaust Temperature Gauge and keep it less than 1200 degrees.

Does this forum concur and / or have any additional advice?

The compression test on the new used engine is in the 175-185 range.

I insisted on a leakdown test as well, upon the advice of another friend, which had a loss of 5-8% in all but #4 which was 10% on a 175,000km engine.

This is my first post and I look forward to hearing your responses.

Best regards,

Fred.

[Skyshadow]

You shoukd tell us a little about your car first. Make, model, year, miles. All of this is relevant.

[Ghost Shadow]

You shoukd tell us a little about your car first. Make, model, year, miles. All of this is relevant.

isnt it in the tittle? 99 v70 t5? only thing not there is miles, yet that doenst matter either since it s a99 probably has 150-200k

does it matter what trans? no.

the previous running condition would matter the most.

burning a valve has alot to do with the condition of the car in the first place. also type of fuel used in your vehicle. lower octane tends to knock. our inline 5 cylinder cars do tend to burn valves.

if your car was not tuned up before this road trip. the added stress of going up and down mountain ranges probably didnt help it at all.

i have had 95 t5's with 225k and full stage 0 with no problems.

since you are new...read here http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how_tos.html

[hoenisch]

Yes, as the title says it's a 1999, V70 T5.

I neglected to include it just passed 222,222 km (138,000 mi), automatic transmission.

More than 90% of the time it gets 94 octane unleaded (92 - if 94 isn't available).

We bought it from a dealer in 2004 with 87,000 km. I have always followed Volvo's maintenance schedule at either the dealer or some other Volvo specialised mechanic.

It was, in fact, tuned up just before this trip and I mentioned, "The last two times I've driven to the Okanagan I've had it in the shop there."

So back to my original question... Is an engine exhaust temp gauge the good idea (and what is the magic temp to keep under)?

[wizzard_al]

Is the engine overheating (temp gauge getting into the red)? Are you towing anything? What grade gas are you buying? Does the car have the CEL (check engine light) on? Is the transmission trying to downshift to a lower gear when you are going up the hills?

Be sure that it has everything functioning before wondering aobut the exhaust temperature gauge. If you are towing, or have the car packed to the gills, the exhaust temperature gauge would tell you that perhaps you are trying to go too fast for the load. But that would simply confirm common sense driving.

[DVolvoguy850T5]

Could you have a faulty altitude sensor?

http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByDepartment/Altitude_Sensor/VOLVO/V70/1999

Could be the culprit. Cause a lean burn and wack your valves? Just a thought...