son's 2000 S70 NA died and won't stay running in front of the intersection. I went there, CEL is on. read code P0103. mass flow meter related. with my experience with other Volvo cars, I disconnected the MAF and surely enough the engine started and let me drive her home in "limp home mode". After parked it on my drive way, I openned the hood and reconnected the MAF and it does not give me the code and CEL anymore. I guess it's probably on the way out. Any thoughts? Thx. Erwin

A new MAF is expensive but you will probably need a new one eventually. They sell cans of MAF cleaner - spray. Do not touch the thin line with your fingers or anything else. The cleaner may extend the life for 6-12 months.


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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Thx. I believe that I do need a new MAF.

Klause, you seem to know a lot about those cars. May I ask you an un-related question: the same car started having milky oil dip stick a while ago. I don't think it's condensate. Is a leaky head gasket my worst case? I think that I can replace it in a half to full day. could it be holes on the aluminum, how likely? I guess that I might have to take out the head to find out, right? again, thx a lot for being there for us. Erwin

Hi Erwin,

I remember you from the 740 board.
One other item to check is that the oil level dip stick O-ring might need changing.
Make sure it's a tight fit and the O-ring isn't damaged.
There's one on the tranny dipstick too.

Bill

Checking the PCV system last night. no smoke coming out out dip tube. with filler cap open and a surgical glove rubber banded to the neck, there is enough pressure to inflate the glove and keep it standing. when I pull the dip stick while doing this, the glove deflates. that pretty much tells me that the dip stick oring is sealing well. Erwin

Good to see u here, Bill.

If the engine is warm, the glove should not inflate.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Doubt that this will make a difference in foaming. However, will look into the pcv system soon.

Headgasket on these engines is not a minor task, a master will take at least 1/2 day. Plus, while the head is off, it would be wise to replace all the valve guides.

The white milky substance is most likely condensate. The engine oil on the automatic trannies seldom gets hot enough in the winter to burn off impurities until the engine has run over 2000 rpm for 30+ minutes. A 10-15 mile commute is not enough.

Your best bet is to use synthetic and change it every 5-7K miles.

Watch the coolant overflow for a while, and always do a warm engine compression test before digging into the head.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

My wife's S80 had a slight case of milky condensate on the dip stick a couple years ago. Servicing the PCV system back to proper working order cured the condensate build-up.

is this likely something some carb cleaner will do or a new MAF? I used to always clean the MAFs on my 240 and 740.

tried to clean the MAF. did not help. I guess that it's bad. However, one thing I do not understand is that when the "bad" MAF is connected it won't start and won't trigger the CEL now, no codes anymore, just won't stay running. again, it runs when it's disconnected. I assume that it's safe for the engine to drive it ~ 10 miles a day until I get the new part, right? Thx. Erwin

It should idle, but engine management is going to go crazy when you step on the pedal. It will stutter and stumble a lot.

If you do that for a week, then you will need to remove the spark plugs and clean them.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

appreciate your good advices, Klaus. Just got a new MAF and put it on today. Runs like a charm.

As to the milky foam, I also hope that it's caused by condensate. However, there is quite excess in the tube. it almost fill all the way to the top. There ia no noticable coolant level drop either, so even if it's from the head gasket, i must not be a big leak. Actually, I just changed the oil to fully synthetic Mobile I 2 monthe ago, I guess that I just have to live with it for now. I'm planning to submit a spend oil analysis to see if it's coolant in the oil. I use an internet lab called Blackstone for my truck. They only charge $20 and sampling kits are free. Erwin