XC90 2.2 diesel Gutless?

XC90 2.2 diesel Gutless?

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Discussion

Dr Interceptor

7,743 posts

195 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Checkmate said:
That brings back memories! About 10 years ago I used to drive a Volvo FL7 8 wheeler on a cement works site. I'm sure it had that dial on the rev counter. That thing sure had no problems pulling up to the redline, in fact it was entirely necessary to get the very much overloaded thing up the hills, without going for a gear change, dropping off boost and having to start from crawler gear again. If you know, what does the blue part mean? I never figured it out. For me it just meant when the engine is really hot, the more blue the less power, but when cooler, this is where you want to be for drifting.
The blue bit is the point at which you get maximum efficiency from the auxiliary braking systems.

vtecyo

2,122 posts

128 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Sounds knackered.

Our 2.5 Land Cruiser D4D can't be THAT far away from it power / weight wise and that goes perfectly well enough for what it is.

walm

10,609 posts

201 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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I have the 163bhp version ('05) - it is very very slow. But not that slow.

matchmaker

8,463 posts

199 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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IntriguedUser said:
Sounds like OPs in the wrong gear and doesn't know how to drive
rolleyesrolleyes
Marty Funkhouser said:
Its an automatic box.

Z4STER

46 posts

190 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Polestar ECU upgrade recommended. Volvo dealer will do it for you.

hman

7,487 posts

193 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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my money is on the swirl flap actuator arm has pinged off - hence the intermittent engine warning light.

I have the 185BHP version and I can definitely make it move as fast as most other everyday stuff on the roads.

Once you have it working properly use 2k - 3.5k as the powerband - 400nm of torque drags you along well.

Marty Funkhouser

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

180 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Just wondering if we should have gone for the Lexus RX instead...

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Easy, do a 0-60mph run and check against the published figures.

My brother bought a 320d, then told me he was a little disappointed with the performance. I timed it to 60mph, it took almost 20 seconds(!). Booked it in at the garage he bought it from, told them it was taking 20seconds to hit 60mph, they changed the turbo, afterwards it took about 8 seconds to hit 60mph. Easy.

wiliferus

4,054 posts

197 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Either that or the auto box is fooked and it's hitting the limiter and not changing up?
I know old Volvo auto diesel boxes weren't renowned for their reliability due to the seal for life policy which turned out to be a touch optimistic. I thought by 56 plates they were sorted though? Still, worth a thought.

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Marty Funkhouser said:
Just wondering if we should have gone for the Lexus RX instead...
Unless you need 7 seats then yes, you are right.

In fact, as much as I like volvos, unless you absolutely need 7 seats AND 4wd I wouldn't dare touch an older xc90. They appear to be troublesome at best and also horrific on fuel.

I loved my 2003 v70 but the gearbox killed it off eventually.

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
dave_s13 said:
They appear to be troublesome at best and also horrific on fuel.
Mine goes everywhere at full throttle, and spends most of its life at 85+mph on the motorway.

Its averaged a (genuine) 28mpg over the 25km miles that I have had it.

That seems pretty reasonable to me.
My mate has a 59 plate and it's averaging low 20's at best, that's mainly round town though.

We need 7 seats but not 4wd. Ford galaxy is doing a great job and averaging near 50mpg at the moment.

The xc90 is superior in many other ways though I admit.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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hman said:
my money is on the swirl flap actuator arm has pinged off - hence the intermittent engine warning light.
I've driven a 2.4 diesel for thousands of miles with the swirl flaps out of action. No noticeable difference in performance.

Maracus

4,230 posts

167 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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There's an excellent Volvo specialist near me, M40 junction 11. AR Mills of Middleton Cheney.

It's about an hour from London, but they won't be as expensive as a Volvo main dealer.

They always have XC90s outside yikes

Bonefish Blues

26,454 posts

222 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Or here: http://hortoncars.com/

Speak to Graham, who is ex Saab and Volvo main dealers.

stuart-b

3,643 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Marty Funkhouser said:
Just wondering if we should have gone for the Lexus RX instead...
OP, welcome to second hand diesel ownership. Modern diesels are complex beasts with many challenges in diagnosing faults once they appear.

But, I'm sure it's something simple as mentioned on here. Find a proper diesel specialist, get the error codes read - replace the faulty items, then get a gearbox and engine remap. It will transform the car. Example: http://www.more-bhp.com/xc90.html

Car software can be very complex with many different dynamics, including upgrades you may not have yet had installed, supplied by the manufacturer.
In the same way a laptop may seem slow and useless, once the operating system is sorted, all of a sudden it flies again.

My BMW was tragic when I bought it, one old man owner, 20k miles where I think the power was never used. It barely managed 160 bhp on the rolling road. Replaced all the filters, upgraded the software at BMW and took the car to AmD in Essex. Came out with 215+ bhp and what was a totally transformed car. 22k later and still spot on, no soot, perfectly clean exhaust and managing excellent MPG.

Good luck

stuart-b

3,643 posts

225 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
Be careful, the advertised 480Nm torque on that is well over the recommended max. of 440Nm on the TF80-SC transmission.

If its clever software it might limit the torque in the lower gears, if not you might be needing a new gearbox sooner rather than later.
Yep, I did mention an example (first in the search) - searching for XC90 remap and finding a local reputable is the best idea. I found that a conservative remap more focused on smooth consistent power is better than chasing numbers

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
Somethings wrong with the car.

You are also driving it like a numpty (i.e. WTF are you doing revving the tits off it at 4.5k rpm!?!).
You do realize the op has an auto ?
Agree though something is wrong with this car.

Marty Funkhouser

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

180 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Bonefish Blues said:
Or here: http://hortoncars.com/

Speak to Graham, who is ex Saab and Volvo main dealers.
Booked it in there on Saturday - have cancelled Volvo

FastNReliable

308 posts

178 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Is the gearbox changing up? 4.5k is the D5's red line, it will not accelerate past that point. Is it in manual? Have you tried putting it in manual and selecting the gears yourself?

Seems the XC90 bashers are out here, so, for the sake of balance.
I own an 05 XC90 D5, it's at 160k, I've owned it for 7 years and covered 130k in it. In that time it's needed brakes, tyres and balljoints so just the expected consumables imho. It averages 32 mpg and will see close to 40 on a run. We've used it every day, taken it all over the UK, driven it to France, Switzerland and Italy, towed caravans with it, and it's been fine.

I'd have bought a newer one before now but why bother? The 05 is in the pre 06 tax bracket so it's 1/2 the price of a post 06 model, even with (only) 163bhp it moves along just fine for something of its size and will cruise at 80mph happily. It even looks the same as the later models.

Bonefish Blues

26,454 posts

222 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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Marty Funkhouser said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Or here: http://hortoncars.com/

Speak to Graham, who is ex Saab and Volvo main dealers.
Booked it in there on Saturday - have cancelled Volvo
Decent guy - my dealings with him have been excellent.

If you need a gearbox refresh (banging into gear when hot) he's good value for that, too.