$700 Volvo XC90 - Fixing Variable Valve Timing Issues [Part 4]

I bought a running, clean title Volvo 2006 XC90 with 219,000 miles for only $700! In this video, I install the gaskets that were missing on the VVT Solenoids, then clean a better used Solenoid for re-use. Along the way I deal with bad decisions that were made which cause a bolt to snap.
Watch part 1 here: • I Bought a $700 Volvo ...
Keep an eye out for the rest of the series where we'll find out if it was worth it and what I'll have to repair!

[@Robtheautoguy]

Congrats on getting it roadworthy! I can't wait to see the rest of the rebuild!

[@gloriadejuana5131]

You rocked it dude!! It passed inspection and is road worthy. Can't wait to see what you do next with it. Maybe you'll sell it to me! 😉

[@brianfitzgerald7171]

Great job! Congrats. I really liked seeing how you removed the broken bolt by welding on a nut 👍

[@frenchineer]

Thanks! Funnily enough, the very first use for this welder on a car was a bolt extraction!

[@Gordon302]

I only have one golden rule; if you must use Volvo OEM bolts from a junkyard, first make sure that clean them up on a wire wheel brush. Secondly in this case, use either green or blue Loctite. Finally, torque them to the correct specifications.

[@christinetelal6582]

Great video!

[@shepherdchief8082]

This was exactly what I needed, thank you.

[@frenchineer]

I'm glad it helped!

[@greenhometony]

Harbor freight has left hand drill bits with extractors for about 8 bucks. Had a snapped bolt on my volvo came right out with the bit, didn't even need the extractor.

[@frenchineer]

Nice! I have some extractor sets but the results have been inconsistent. Since I was worried about damaging the mating surface or threads I ended up welding the nut on.

[@securityfamily]

Easy to listen to a d follow!

[@andywarrington4738]

good idea to use thread lock on the bolts , low torque and high vibration could cause a bolt , bolts to come lose , possibly

[@frenchineer]

I agree! I think with this area being possibly exposed to oil (less likely now with gaskets) it wouldn't hurt to have some extra security.

[@alg.3236]

That was a great video tutorial, do you have a video of the diverter valve on this Volvo ? I have a code that says my diverter valve has issues but I'm having troubles finding videos about that volvo, mine is a 2004 Volvo XC 90 T6 .

[@frenchineer]

Thanks! I haven't done any work on my turbo system, so unfortunately I don't have any videos on that for this car. I think you should be able to get some more information on forums like swedespeed or matthewsvolvosite. I hope you can find a solution, the twin turbo T6 seems like a cool engine!

[@cosmicallyderived]

So to be clear you had a suspicion of the leak being at the VVT solenoid because of puddles up under the valve covers right? You weren’t seeing a check engine light or anything like that implicating the VVT solenoid correct?

[@frenchineer]

That's right, there was some misfiring but nothing specifically calling out that the fault was the solenoid. There wasn't really anywhere else the oil around the VVT solenoids would have come from. One other hint was also that they appeared to have been replaced recently with parts that were known to cause problems (based on forum posts). The lack of gasket was most likely the main reason for the leak, which wasn't helped by the PCV system needing to be serviced.

[@EARTHKEENING]

Would synthetic blend oil trigger p0011 p0014 ?

[@frenchineer]

That should not be the cause, I use synthetic oil in mine. That said, these engines seem to be sensitive to cheap oil.

[@VauveAnais]

Hello. How long does it take without issue of bolts?

[@frenchineer]

If you have all the tools and everything goes well, you could probably replace the solenoids in less than an hour. Don't forget to replace the gaskets too.

[@jeckonedesign]

What did you clean the solenoid with to get it that clean?

[@frenchineer]

I used brake cleaner, though I also chose the solenoids that were in the best condition that I got at the junkyard.

[@hunterrick4]

What was the original code? I'm dealing with a p054b

[@frenchineer]

It looks like the codes I had were 6110 (inlet camshaft control - slow) and 614B (Exhaust camshaft control - Faulty). It's possible I got a different code later on, but those were the first ones I have records of before doing the VVT solenoid work.

[@boelensds]

use carb cleaner to clean carbon off it.

[@EARTHKEENING]

Hello , 2004 volvo xc90 , 2.9L I got mine out because I have p0011 p0014 after oil change , I don't see that screen mesh filter in mine is that mean the mesh filter traveled inside ?

[@frenchineer]

I can't know for sure. It's possible that it was a replacement gasket too. The error code could be from the VVT solenoid needing a cleaning or replacement.

[@EARTHKEENING]

@@frenchineer you are right it's look like the previous owner replaced the gaskets.i managed to clean them very very well and got them to function well the codes went a way now . But I'm still dealing with the thick white smoke comes from the exhaust on idle only . Btw the whole problems came when I overfilled my car with new oil change I overfilled by 1 quart extra and those problems happened. I don't know what to do about the thick white smoke on idle .

[@frenchineer]

After you overfilled, did you drain the extra oil? That can cause smoke in the exhaust until you are at the right level. Otherwise, white smoke in the exhaust can be from coolant getting into the cylinders.

[@EARTHKEENING]

@Frenchineer @Frenchineer yes I drained the extra oil I'm on 7 quirts exactly. Do you think if I take the spark plugs and look with a camera I would see signs of coolant in the cylinders ? If it's mixing otherwise I don't see oil in the coolant tank . My car has 70k miles only . The other 1st scenario when I overfilled that caused the car to smoke immediately why I don't stick with this scenario and try to fix it on that cause .where the oil goes and made smoke how I clean it out ?

[@frenchineer]

In some cases it is sometimes possible to see moisture in the cylinders using a camera, so it's probably worth it to check, and you can see how the spark plugs look while you do. It's possible the extra oil cycled through the turbo or PCV systems and is being burned off. The spark plugs and possibly O2 sensor could be dirty. Regarding the smoke, the smell when there is a coolant leak vs oil will be different. Coolant in the exhaust will also look more like steam than smoke. I hope this helps a little!