I have noticed considerable blow-by from around my charged air hoses, especially where they are clamped to other (straight) pipes as well as where the last bent one attaches to the turbo, so tomorrow I'm going to start a hose replacement. I have been able to find only the one that is a 90 degree one at this time (haven't searched long and hard so I know they are out there) that attaches from the charged air cooler (or oil cooler? which is attached in piggy back style to the radiator?). I found it at www.fcpgroton.com (in the 850 section, though my car is a S70). I want to take the old one off and do a thorough cleaning of the opening of the outlet as well as the pipe the hose attaches to. Can someone recommend a good degreaser that won't be damaging to rubber that I can buy ?
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I know I'm rambling on here but the way these forums work, it may come in handy for someone:

Another update:
I took the lower charge air hose off and it was nasty as was the interior of the plastic splash gaurd. I concluded that the short hose that bends at a 90 degree angle is the "low" point of the entire charge air system, thus where recirculated oil accumulates. If you want to know more about this, it is the one listed on groton's site as part #6842167 in the middle of this page: http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850reverseintercooler.htm
I also took off all other hoses up to the throttle body and I was going to clean that with the STP throttle body cleaner spray but it was immaculate, as were the other hoses...thus was my conclusion that the lowest point of the "charge air" or "intercooler" system is bound to get an oily accumulation. That hose I replace (90 degree one mentioned earler) was soaked, soft and probably leaking, so I'm glad I got it replaced.

Now, if I could only figure out the blow-by on the cool air side of my turbo. (droplets of oil all over the turbo...but not the oil return). All things are well however, and the car is running great....changed out my Thermostat to a 87 degree one yesterday...coolant everywhere and some burn-off smell, but working fine. I did notice that the fuel rail and fuel pipes were considerably in the way for this procedure and since they are "hard" pipes they don't budge much to allow the change. I assume other S70's and earlier 850's don't have such cramped quarters and the thermo change is relatively simple, because the instructions' diagram showed everything clearly out of the way...but in my case I couldn't get a racheted torx in there...had to use a straight screw-driver type torx T-40 instead and it was a bitch to turn the mofo.

All parts bought at Groton at a reasonable price.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Update....went to AutoZone this morning and they sell (for about $2.50 a can) a spray can of "Air Intake hose and Throttle Body" cleaner made by STP. This seems to be the best thing to use on my application. About to get started now. If all goes well, I may even tackle a TB cleaning. I have an extra gasket for this, so I'm all set. Just wish I had other hoses...would rather replace old ones than to clean them out.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.