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Sent the below to Volvo America (customercare@volvocars.com)
Just returned from an aborted California vacation in my 1999 S80 (VIN# YV1TS97D1X1010183, with 60000+ miles), due to a nagging and dangerous problem with the engine. Actually, I think it's the fuel system, but the local dealer (Ken Garff in Salt Lake City) thinks it is a simultaneous failure of all four oxygen sensors. This does not seem as likely to me as a dirty fuel filter, a weak fuel pump, or a gas cap that is not venting. Most of the times I have had this problem, I have been climbing a grade in 90 degree outside air temperature. The engine show no sign of overheating, but the problem. But once I was coming downhill (at 83 degrees outside) into a valley in Nevada populated only by a prison work camp! "Prison Area - Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers!" was the sign at the exit into which we coasted.
The day before we had just paid the entrance fee into Yosemite Park, when the sputtering engine caused us to dive across the oncoming traffic into a pull-out. The ranger who stopped said we could not continue, and gave us a couple towing service phone numbers. But when it sits and cools, the problem abates, and we drove about a hundred miles back down to Sacramento for supper. It was evening, and we managed to cross the Donner Pass into Reno where we spent the night. In the morning, I went to the Volvo dealer, but all of my warning lights had reset, and he had no recommendation, except to mention a possible barometric altitude sensor that may be at fault. He said he had no parts to repair it.
I just had the fuel filter changed at the Ken Garff, and since the old one seemed to have a flow restraint, I cut it open. Inside I found blackened paper on the incoming side and clean paper on the outgoing. The level of contamination was probably only moderate. The "blow-thru" restriction was notable, but not extreme.
The dealer says we should have all four oxygen sensors changed, since he reads codes from all four. When these fuel starvation attacks occur, they happen two or three times before we get a "CHECK ENGINE" light, usually followed by an "EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" message on the display. If things clear up, the display message goes away first, and after the night in Reno, the "CHECK ENGINE" light turned off as well. My thinking is that the fuel starvation (vapor lock?) is causing the oxygen sensor codes, and I'm not ready to pay $1500 to have all four sensors changed, until I hear some supporting advice from you. Ken Garff's service person said all four seemed to be working again for now.
And also, I noticed when I picked up my car, a poster advertising a warranty extension to 100K miles, as long as one signed up before 50K miles. When was that introduced? I don't recall hearing any such option. Wish I had, then I would have the entire fuel system replaced.
Thanks, and I look forward to a reply from your technical staff.
Paul.Dalpiaz@Comcast.net
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