Hi,


I just purchased a 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo for $1200.

I diagnosed a bad valve, so I am pulling the head to investigate.

I have the factory service manual, the service information described smacking the cover with a copper mallet. This information was superseded by the use of special pliers to prise up the cover.

I have been banging on it with a 2lb dead blow, but I don´t want to screw it up.

What do you recommend?


Goatman

Think I should investigate this? Half the price of your turbo, I wonder what he means by 'blow by'?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/1635069766.html

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

If I were you and I had more time (student) I would take a look see. If you just need rings...

Also, I know that the PCV system usually is the culprit of crankcase pressure.

If it was black I would probably buy it, if it was green, not so much...

1995 model year also had a weak transmission.

http://www.unm.edu/~goatman/wagon.jpg


Goatman

I hope you are using a 'soft' 2lb hammer! You don't want to crack the cast aluminum cover. If the head has ever been removed before, previous owner/mechanic might have used RTV that is too strong. If that is the case, you will be in for a long day... You might want to use a 1.5 in wide putty knife, tap it in the sealant about 1/4 inch, but do not pry with it.

Before you remove the head, could you tell us how you came to the conclusion that a valve went bad? Did the PO use iridium/platinum multiprong spark plugs and one of the plugs lost a prong? Or did compression just go to zero on 1 cylinder?

I have found a few engines that were so dirty from never revving above 2K and always being run with cold oil, that the exhaust valves were covered in carbon so badly that they would no longer be able to close. Fix: Italian tune up!

Klaus
--
Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

Hi,


How nice to wake up to answers on spring break!!

Yes, I used a compression gauge on the fourth cylinder and could not produce a reading.

The other values were ~120 psi. The engine was cold. I recognize the color of the sealer to be the factory orange.

The spark plugs were some of the filthiest I have ever seen. I agree that it might be engine neglect, but I have already committed to R&R.

Any other options then smacking, wrapping, whomping, and whacking it with a soft mallet?

http://www.unm.edu/~goatman/cover.jpg


Goatman

Yuck, what an ugly picture!

I don't recall Volvo RTV being orange, but it has been quite a while. You might try positioning a piece of wood against the cover and using your hammer.
I wonder if a heat gun would help?

Did you drive the car home, or was it towed?

When you get the cover off, remember to put a zip tie on the exhaust cam and on the exhaust cam gear so you remember which cam is which.

Klaus
--
Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

Hi,


I figured that I´d try something I thought of right before I dozed off last night.

I attached chain to a slide hammer and engaged the tabs of the cover with the links.

Here is a photo of the tackle: http://www.unm.edu/~goatman/tackle.jpg
Here is a photo of the tabs: http://www.unm.edu/~goatman/tabs.jpg


Thanks again Klaus!!!

Yeah, the car limped home ok. Now to the head bolts :)


Goatman

You got it! Yankee ingenuity to the rescue.

That has got to be the dirtiest cam I have ever seen. I think I would have just added a can of AutoRx and driven for a while. You might still want to try it, the rest of the engine will also be that full of gunk!

Be very careful getting the head bolts out, they have a tendancy to get stuck and break off. Loosen each bolt 1/16 of a turn before you take any out, it might help. A stubborn bolt needs PB Blaster and possibly tightened a hair before loosening.

Once the head is off, it will need to be cleaned. Check the valve seals for leaks. Buy a seedling plant tray with at least 20 slots if you remove any valves, makes replacing back into the same position much easier. 20 of those little buggers.

Motor oil and beer, sounds like a fun break. Much better than my daughter, she slept for a week :)

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound