I’ve been saving this Epic “DIY DISASTER” Volvo Case Study since last year for several reasons…
This 2005 Volvo XC90 Turbo only has 80k miles on it, but it looks like it has been to HELL and back…definitely not a virgin.
It was towed from North Carolina because the owner has been trying to fix it himself for over a YEAR.
Sound familiar?
Main customer complaint is that is STALLS after 3 minutes of running!
Low Fuel Pressure codes are set.
Also, the windshield WIPERS have a mind of their own!
They never worked right since the owner bought this poor Volvo.
Let’s dig into this CAN OF WORMS and see if this butchered car is even worth saving…
LAUNCH X431 PRO3S+:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092894STV?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzpineholl-20&creativeASIN=B092894STV&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.NHZL00NIDEPF&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
TOPDON TORNADO 90000 BATTERY CHARGER:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XV64Q49?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzpineholl-20&creativeASIN=B09XV64Q49&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.UKPVIGM4POWZ&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
ASTRO DC AMP CLAMP:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTCMWLB?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzpineholl-20&creativeASIN=B08MTCMWLB&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.UKPVIGM4POWZ&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
Enjoy!
Ivan
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I would try to bypass the fuel pump madule see if it'll continuously run
Now these things are my specialty. And not an exaggeration when I say I must have replaced over 100 fuel pumps on these things. It's a really poor design. The entire rear seat has to come out to expose both sides of the fuel tank access ports. Make sure that you tie a long piece of wire to old crossover tube before you pull out the old pump. Because you will need to pull the replacement crossover tube back across. And be very careful with it. The plastic tube can bend and crack very easily and cause the crossover to suck air and not pick up any fuel.
Oh, and Ivan. If you decide to do this customer a solid and drain the water from the passenger side, do it outside. Because there is a few gallons of water trapped in that cavity under that seat where the yaw control module resides. And it's because the sunroof drains are blocked up. And the wiper has a broken transmission. Ask me how I know all that. lol.
80.000 miles is nothing for a Volvo in terms of wear and tear. We have a V70 in the family with 200.000 miles. Well serviced, well maintained, always fixed the small issues right when they appeared.
We run a Liqui Moly fuel additive that has had a noticeable effect on keeping the engine cleaner.
She's mint.
Super comfy and functional leather interior.
During our ownership it needed brakes, tires and the front axle rebuild because the rubber bushings just fall apart at that mileage and the front axles of the P2 platform Volvos are kind of known to wear out quicker. Not a major deal though it happens to the best of us and it can all be repaired fairly easily.
We had a freak misfire problem once which was traced to a bad connector on a fuel injector by a very competent Volvo mechanic. Cheap fix and they even took all injectors out and send them out to Bosch Service to get them tested and they all came back good.
Apart from that its a rust free car since Volvo really went to town with the P2 and later P3 chassis. These cars really last especially because Volvo used high quality OEMs and high quality OE parts. These cars last forever because of that. Volvo didn't skimp out.
This summer it will get an oil change, transmission fluid service since the ol Aisin 6 speeds needs some love too and ive noticed some faint belt/idler/tensioner noises that I don't like. I have no record of those components ever being replaced. The timing belt still has one year to go before its due according to the sticker but I might just do a full belt service and do everything.
After 200.000 miles the struts are also not feeling too good anymore, might get into that myself of have a mechanic replace them. I'm thinking about some sweet Bilsteins as a replacement.
Volvos are some of the greatest cars ever made, except when people who who should not be let near such a car get their hands on it.
Sometimes it is a broken oring or hose inside the assembly, also check fuel lines, regulator, and injectors for leakage, also you can isolate the pump and give external pressure to the lines and check for drops or restriction
The moment I saw that red u-haul connector at 4:00 I knew it was going to be a good video
That's a toucgh one, i still would be inclined to fit anther pump, you need one you know is working properly, might be worth having a good look around in the tank, maybe change the filter….is it worth putting some fuel gaugeson it so you can see the pressure better…good luck Ivan, not an easy one..Fred.
Great place in the wheel well for the pump controller! The continous rinsing & spraying with rainwater should keep it & all its contacts nice & clean!
Check if the fuel pressure problem complication module under the front passenger side footwell might be registering low water pressure & might need a top-up.
The Owner should never go near car electronics/electrics, this mess is a total tragedy.
I would push the car out of my doors. Why did the customer replacing an new fuel pump with an old ? That is sus and I dont get that. If I had a fuel delivery issue and I had replaced the pump to a new OEM, I would keep that pump to eliminate that problem.
Just buy a Honda or if you like a boring drive a Toyota, your not guaranteed trouble free motoring just not this type of hassle, I loved my Fiats, great engines and handling but I needed to get to work of a morning…
Ivan, looks like you are becoming the Euro-Trash Whisperer now!
What about new fuel tank?
Ivé had several Volvo´s from this era and they are generally great cars but the one you got there is endeed one from hell. My gosh the hillbilly attempts on fixing it is incredible
Great diagnosis.
Careful with those lights right next to your computer screen. It could get warm enough to warp the screen.
What a mess, ridiculous just don't cut it.
After reading comments I realize i never thougt about panties…..
Check the construction of the fueltank and check for debrise inside. Tranfercase might be clogged on fuel inlet to it. Considering the overall status of the car it might been some problems with the fuel . In i diesel might be algees in a petroleum car Who knows.
Always surprised with DIY work. Where do this folks get these vehicles
…and the reddest of red flags, is the badge on the grill.
What all got replaced with the fuel pump? There seems to be some complexity here. Perhaps some of the plumbing ISN'T getting changed and that's where the problem is.
32:04 Hi Ivan, maybe it's pump suck air in fuel tank and rotates faster and consumes less current because no resistance.