Volvo 480 Club Europe

Hello.

Just wondering whether someone could point out some of the possible causes for engine stutter. It happens very randomly, usually around 2-2500 rpm but can happen at anytime really. Not usually if accelerating med. to hard. Idle is fine. Engine will just stutter once. She's mabe in need of a service (will have to ask Adam when she was last done)....I'm thinking maybe spark plugs and ht leads? Any other thoughts would be great. I was talking to a GT owner yesterday and he has the same issue.

Thanks for reading.

First thing to do is to replace plugs, rotor, distr.cap and cables if you don't know when last serviced. Those engines can react with stutter if ignition parts are neglected. And have a look at the airfilter while you're at it. Important to have all these parts in good nick before winter starts.

Thanks very much....I will get on the case Odd though.....just driven to Cambridge and back....3 hrs in total...stuttered all the way there at about 2000 rpm mainly but not even one on the way home!! We did however get into bit of a kinda race with an Audi A3 though so it was, how shall I put it, a quicker journey leaving Cambs than it was getting there Good old 480.....she was definately the better car. We both exchanged a friendly wave when we went our seperate ways (after he'd caught up with me )

Ok, so I changed the plugs...super 4s, new ht leads (upgraded) new air filter, dizzy cap and rotor arm. All seemed good, and it generally is, but every so often she stutters still. Around 2000 rpm, when going slowly through towns/heavy traffic. Accelerates perfectly, idle is usually perfect, but occasionally a bit erractic, but cured by quick rev.

Anything else it could be? Maybe coil? The stuttering never lasts for long, but is quite annoying cause I want to know what it is!

Any help would be great.

Thank you.

double check the wiring to the engine temp sensor next to the right most spark plug , kerries 2 ltr did this at random hence its name skippy turned out to be a broken wire to this sensor that made intermittently caused the "skip"

Ahh, that sounds very possible! Thanks very much Jim, I will check that tomorrow

Well I think you hit the nail on the head here Jim. I had a very quick and cold look this morning and the HT leads where all sitting in the wire for the sensor. (upgraded ht leads so they don't all sit in the cable holder thing) I freed it a little and she drove smooth all day today.....and we were driving about quite alot today. I will have a better look at it this weekend....give it a clean and that, but I',m pretty sure it was that causing the stuttering. Simples!

Thanks Jim.....your always a star...like I keep telling you!

Just to chuck in my two oldpennethworth Rach...

If it isnt what Jim's mentioning,you could replace the TPS as the solder tracks in them wear out from being held in the same position.

Either that,or buy a Stormus Turbo

Cheers Groomus....so far so good with the temp sensor, but nice to have a plan B.

I had a 2 litre with exactly the same problem , it turned out to be a ill fitting little rubber blanking cap on the inlet manifold , quite common on the 2 litre as a problem cost £1.75p or baby jubilee clip 45p , so dont go and spend £60 on service parts that are going to do bugger all to solve the problem , spark plugs last for years and years if the car in maintained and not over boosted or lean etc , but people fall over themselves to spend £9 to £20 on plugs that DO NOT NEED REPLACING . FELYX hope this helps

Thanks felyx....I will have a look at that. Believe me though she did need a service....the dizzy cap was knackered, as where the leads. Plugs were ok but I changed them anyway to better ones

I really appreciate your reply...