V70R AWD engine problem

**New Dexter** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 15:34

Good afternoon Gentlemen

I have a 1999 V70RAWD, one of the 74 which have 5 speed auto, 2435cc engine etc.
Saturday morning and later in the day it was running as well as usual. Monday morning it decided to run on less than the 5 cylinders with which it was issued.
I have just returned from the garage. Mechanic detected a faulty plug on No.2 cylinder by removing the coil pack, listening for the clicking noise but no change in engine behaviour.
5 new plugs ordered and when I returned I was informed that they had fitted all five to no avail, problem remained. Then they checked the compression on No. 2 and found none. Replacing all the old plugs and re-fitting the coil packs produced an engine running worse than before so I drove back into the garage, all of 15 ft and informed them of the problem. Given that No.2 cylinder is out of action he substituted coil pack No.2 for coil pack No.1 whereupon the engine improved but only slightly.
The garage has suggested that they will need to remove the head to check the valves and cam followers to try to diagnose the problem. Time, on Autodata, for removing the head alone is 9 hrs and they have suggested that they would recommend changing the cam belt at the same time even though it was changed quite recently.
My problem is the same as I have expressed before. These are nice cars, there are not many left but is the expense justified? The gearbox isn't always as perfect as it should be and I have been quoted over £1600 to remove, rebuild and replace.
However, I would be grateful for any information as to what the problem might be and any positive suggestions.

**MoleT-5R** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 15:54

Originally Posted by New Dexter

Good afternoon Gentlemen

I have a 1999 V70RAWD, one of the 74 which have 5 speed auto, 2435cc engine etc.
Saturday morning and later in the day it was running as well as usual. Monday morning it decided to run on less than the 5 cylinders with which it was issued.
I have just returned from the garage. Mechanic detected a faulty plug on No.2 cylinder by removing the coil pack, listening for the clicking noise but no change in engine behaviour.
5 new plugs ordered and when I returned I was informed that they had fitted all five to no avail, problem remained. Then they checked the compression on No. 2 and found none. Replacing all the old plugs and re-fitting the coil packs produced an engine running worse than before so I drove back into the garage, all of 15 ft and informed them of the problem. Given that No.2 cylinder is out of action he substituted coil pack No.2 for coil pack No.1 whereupon the engine improved but only slightly.
The garage has suggested that they will need to remove the head to check the valves and cam followers to try to diagnose the problem. Time, on Autodata, for removing the head alone is 9 hrs and they have suggested that they would recommend changing the cam belt at the same time even though it was changed quite recently.
My problem is the same as I have expressed before. These are nice cars, there are not many left but is the expense justified? The gearbox isn't always as perfect as it should be and I have been quoted over £1600 to remove, rebuild and replace.
However, I would be grateful for any information as to what the problem might be and any positive suggestions.

I feel your pain mate, We too have a similar predicament with our 1999 V70R awd ph3, it has gearbox issues which are no surprise and the repair cost is horrific, when compared to the value of the car, but this car is very lucky that it is such a nice example, that it won't matter what it costs to keep it running. As we don't rely on the car for every day use, but just see it as a weekend car for shows and meets. So if it sits in the garage for a while until the funds are there to get it back up to scratch, so be it. I know it doesn't make any financial sense I know, but we just love that car.

**Biff** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 16:06

Firstly I agree with the garage, i wouldn't put a used belt back on regardless of age.
If there is no compression I'd say that there is no alternative but to strip the head off. Doesn't matter about the ignition side of things if it has no seal as such for the bang that gives you power.
I'm not a mechanic but have built engines for years & I would say the garage sounds decent enough with they're advice. As for the auto box has it had a transmission fluid service? Volvo quote a lifetime service life but I reckon a few auto owners on here would argue.
Finally nice choice of car fella, hope it comes good for you.

**Logie** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 17:32

You said the mechanic substituted coil pack No2 for No1 and there was a slight improvement...? Id be tempted to source or ideally borrow another 2 coli packs for Nos 1&2 and try that. Try all the simple thing first, but as said above it "could" result in taking the head off. Hope its not too expensive keep us updated.

**Biff** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 18:23

Originally Posted by Logie

You said the mechanic substituted coil pack No2 for No1 and there was a slight improvement...? Id be tempted to source or ideally borrow another 2 coli packs for Nos 1&2 and try that. Try all the simple thing first, but as said above it "could" result in taking the head off. Hope its not too expensive keep us updated.

But why spend time & money when the car has either a serious issue with I suspect either valve stem seals/head gasket/piston rings. No compression is bad news, no amount of spark will fix that problem.
Sorry to put a dampener on matters but I really wouldn't say it was the ignition system at fault.

**thewatsonsmouts** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 19:45

Id be tempted to take it to another garage first, Or get a compression tester and test it yourself. I don't know if the garge and yourselfs have history. But I would take it somewhere else first !! How old is it and which engine does it have

**Biff** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 22:01

Originally Posted by thewatsonsmouts

Id be tempted to take it to another garage first, Or get a compression tester and test it yourself. I don't know if the garge and yourselfs have history. But I would take it somewhere else first !! How old is it and which engine does it have

It's a 99, me7 & 2435cc dude. I'd certainly want to be shown that it has no compression before taking it elsewhere.

**martybelfastt5** · Wednesday 25th September 2013, 22:36

cheaper to replace engine surley?

**Dangerous Dave** · Thursday 26th September 2013, 10:45

I'd have said they weren't a very good garage if they did a compression test and found no compression and still tried to swap the coil packs over to try and solve the problem. If it has no compression then no amount of new coil packs and plugs are going to work LOL.

I would get a second opinion just in case or ask to see the compression test as no compression points to something serious internally.

As for cost, its a big job, and a head rebuild will not be cheap either way.

**New Dexter** · Thursday 26th September 2013, 11:52

Good morning,
My grateful thanks to all who replied and for the compliment about my choice of car.
I was there when they checked the compression on No. 2 cylinder and it was definitely not 160 plus as was the case with No. 1. While I was away they had checked all cylinders and found only No. 2 to be at fault.
I have used Shell Retinax and had regular oil changes.
I spoke to an autobox specialist yesterday about the problems with slippage in 3rd gear, then engagement with a thump and these are well known to him. Faulty valve body apparently and the total cost to remove, rebuild and refit (with new valve body) about £2100.
Add to this the cost of the engine repairs and I have a bill running towards £3,000 or more, more than the car might be worth. I take the point that the car could be parked until funds are available, it's a good suggestion and in line with the point I tried to make on this forum last year. Namely, would there come a time when the cars would be worth the investment given their specification and performance etc.
At the moment I have to park the car in the garage, remove the tax disc and put something else on the road which, fortunately I can do providing it passes its MOT.
Thank you all once again