High Performance Diesels: Volvo Trucks with Volvo Engines

By Bruce Mallinson and Fernando DeMoura

We at Pittsburgh Power Inc. hear your cries about poor performance, poor fuel mileage and the frequent EGR problems that the Volvo D12 and D16 have become known for. Volvo owners often ask us why we don’t have anything to help them with these problems. After all, the owners of Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel engines can drive into our shop and three days later leave with improved power, reliability, and a average gain of 1 mpg.  So why don’t we help the Volvo Diesel Engine owners with their problems?

We at Pittsburgh Power would love to; however we need the help of just one progressive thinking Volvo dealership that would be willing to help.  We will need parts and lots of them; we must be able to purchase them at a discount so we can pass the savings onto you the owner-operator.  We will need technical assistance and the ability to look at ECM programs and part manuals.  So if you’re a Volvo Owner with a Volvo Engine and you know of a dealership that would be willing to help, please ask them to contact us and their name will remain anonymous.  Now if you Volvo owners do your homework and help us then we will be able to help you and all of the other Volvo truck owners out there.

I have a newfound respect for the Volvo company. This past year, I was in need of a four passenger all-wheel drive turbocharged mountain car that could haul four pairs of snow skies and four pairs of ski boots inside the car – and I found it in a 2005  XC-90 SUV Volvo 5 cylinder turbo.  I must say I love this used car.  This Volvo is solid as a rock, has great ride quality and good power; however I’m working on making the power even better. I already have the new larger performance turbocharger, performance exhaust and an ECM program upgrade.  At 20-24 mpg, the fuel mileage is good; but I hope to further improve the mileage. This Volvo has added more joy to my mountain life.

When I return to Pittsburgh I no longer have a car, just a 1996 Dodge dually to drive. It’s a great truck to pull trailers with, but it’s not a good everyday driver.  Last month, I was looking online at used cars and I found a 2007 S-60R Volvo in Greensboro N.C. So I called Wayne Autry, a small fleet owner who uses many of our products to see if he would check out this car for me. He did and when he called me he said it was fast and in perfect shape.  The car had 109,000 miles and the engine was replaced and was completely new.  When you pull into my shop you will see the red S-60 R right beside my office.

Bruce Mallinson loves his Volvo S-60 R.

The R cars from Volvo were made to compete against cars from Mercedes, Audi and BMW.  The S-60R has a five cylinder turbo engine making 300 hp and a 6-speed automatic transmission with three settings for the suspension and ground effects. It’s really a great car for $15,000, and it’s even less than a new Harley. So, for those of you who own Volvo trucks with Volvo engines, you know what you need to do, get someone from a progressive thinking dealership in touch with us. If you have an N-14 or ISX Cummins or Caterpillar in your Volvo we can already help you.  It’s the Volvo Engine that we need help with.

Many times throughout the day we get phone calls from owner-operators that had their trucks worked on at other shops and are still having problems and their shop can’t find the problem.  When you call us, it’s very hard to fix the problem over the phone and usually we will tell us you need to bring the truck to our shop so we can properly diagnose the problem.  Most of the problems with today’s trucks are in the EGR- DPF or VG Turbo.   We can fix those problems and if you have a DDEC V and are very mechanically inclined we may be able to put together a kit for you to do your own upgrades.  Please don’t try to do this job in your driveway over a weekend. It’s a three day job and you will want us to be available via the phone for your questions.

ECM repairs

Please keep a list of all the strange things your truck is doing and write them down so we can address all of the issues at one time.  As ECM’s get old, they get tired and systems fail; some are repairable, some are not.  We keep some used Series 60 DDEC III, IV, and V ECM’s in stock in case yours is not repairable.

Owner-Operators who own the 430hp 3406E Cat engine have been told to improve the performance they will have to change the pistons, injectors and the turbocharger.  All of these changes are not necessary if you install the Pittsburgh Power Computer or send to us your ECM.  Depending on how much power you would like will depend on which turbo you will need.  Right now, I’m in the process of improving the performance of a 430 Cat that is being used to pull 225,000 lbs.  Next month, I will have the results for you on this project.

If anyone knows Al Hemmerson of Humboldt, Iowa who drives a silver and purple Freightliner Coronado, please have him call us. It’s urgent. Don’t talk to his wife Kym because he will not get the message.

Written by:

Bruce C. Mallinson

Pittsburgh Power Inc.

3600 S.Noah Dr.

Saxonburg, Pa. 16056

724-360-4080

bruc@pittsburghpower.com