posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Nov 25 05:22 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Hello Everyone,
I have a '96 850 GLT wagon (non-turbo) with a 5 speed. Approximately two years ago at about a 105,000 miles, the lifters started "tapping" when I first started the car up. This first happened after the car had "sat" for several days. As soon as I started up the engine, in a minute or two, the "tapping" noise went away. If I drove the car each day, I never heard the noise when I started it the next day after the car spent the night in the garage. I was surprised, because the car has had the oil and oil filter changes every 5000 miles since new. The only reason why I think this problem developed, was there was a period of time, where is would sometimes (that preceded the developement of the tapping noise) take 6 months before I would rack up 5000 miles, before I would change the oil. At that time, I took mass transist Monday through Friday (I didn't drive the car at all, not even to the train station - I walked)and would only drive the car short distances on the weekends.
When this tapping noise developed, I immediately changed the oil and filter and added a quart of a product known as "Marvel Mystery Oil". I know the name sounds ridiculous, but this product has been around since 1923 and has been recommended to me by professional mechanics to fix stuck lifters. A few days after I installed the Marvel Mystery Oil, my local Volvo dealer inadvertently changed the oil on my car by mistake. When they saw the red colored oil, (cause by the Marvel Mystery Oil) they assumed I had synthetic oil in the car, and replaced with Mobil 1. Fortunately, I didn't have to pay for this expensive oil change, but the Service Manager said, that the Mobil 1 may fix the lifter problem by cleaning out the lifters. Apparently, he was right. For two yearrs, I never heard the "tapping noise" nolonger how long my car sat unused till yesterday. I plan to "follow" the same procedure as last time. Immediately change the oil and oil filter, and install a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. Drive the car for about a 1000 miles, and then change the oil and oil filter again, and this time install Mobil 1. Then drive the car for 3000 miles, and then change the oil and oil filter with conventional motor oil. Assuming this protocol eliminates the "tapping noise" from the lifters, I'll go back to changing the oil at 5,000 mile intervales. As post note, I have another '96 850 GLT, non-turbo with a 5 speed, and a '99 XC both of which have their oil & filter changed at 5000 mile intervals with no problem. My experience with my personal 850 seems to be an abnormal.
Anyway, I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions in how to eliminate the tapping of the lifters, short of have them physically replaced. Thanks to all who respond. I really appreciate your assistance.
Hugh Donnelly
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Many brick owners have found that a lifter problem is caused by a leak in the supply of oil to the lifters.
I think that your oil pan is in two sections with O-rings and possibly tubes connecting the oil pump section to the cylinder head. The O-rings lose their ability to seal, and oil takes a bit of time to supply the lifters.
Do a search on this topic, and check Volvospeed also.
Trying this fix, though pricey, is much less than a rebuild and worth a try.
Can you tell if the same lifters are noisy each time?
--
96 855R, 95 855,854, 90 744 Ti - 340,000 miles driven
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Nov 25 10:53 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Jim,
Thanks for your reply. I'll probably now only hear the lifters if I let th car sit unused for several days or longer. By using the car every day, I won't hear the lifters when I start it.
Hugh
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MMO is good for exactly what you mentioned, because is it a thin viscosity oil and has strong detergents in it. But thinning your oil in a over 100K engine might not be the best thing to do. I would run Mobil1 10W30 or 5W30 going forward as you will get the right visc. and very strong detergents which will help keep your sticking lifter from sticking. The reason I would stick with it at this point (I am a dino oil guy myself) is that you may have significant buildup which may take several synth changes to clear up. Either way, your engine has a weakness in this area and with Mobil1 you may be able to get another 100K out of it without anymore headaches. Avoid the rebuild until you have to do it.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Nov 25 10:45 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Dear DB,
Thanks for your reply. I bought this Volvo used with 50,000 miles on it from a Volvo dealer. It was a VIP car, i.e. it came with a 12,000/12 month warranty. According to the owners maintenance schedule, there was a dealer stamp in at every 5,000 miles indicating an oil change right up to 50,000 whine I purchased the car. The car was 3 years old when I bought it.
Since I bought the car, I have been changing the oil and oil filter (Mann Filters) every 5000 miles with Exxon 10W-30 motor oil. Does it really make a difference if I use Exxon vs Mobil's motor oil (non-synthetic)?
By the way, how does 5,000 mile intervals between oil changes sound to you?
Thanks,
Hugh
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My recommendation is not for Mobil oil, but rather Mobil1 synthetic. It is a good oil, and as a synthetic is has significantly higher detergents which apparently is helping your lifter. The problem may be that a lower quality oil that sludged up easy has restricted drainholes or whatever, causing low oil flow to the lifters. You certainly wouldn't be doing damage by running synthetic (especially since you have run it before). It will keep your engine cleaner. The 5K marker for oil changes is relative I guess. I do mine at 3K with Castrol and Mann filters. If you do lots of easy highway driving it probably is fine...especially if you are running the Synth. I am assuming you have been running 10W30?
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Wed Nov 26 02:35 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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DB,
Yes, since I took delivery of this car in early '99 when it had 50,000 miles on it, I have consistently use 10W30 grade oil, primarily Exxon brand, because it was the cheapest by the case at my local BJ's Store.
Hugh
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Number 1, don't put that mystery oil stuff in your car--it's bad for it.
You can get some Rislone engine cleaner, but be careful as it is a solvent. It will clean the engine. It works. I've used it before.
Otherwise, you may be in for a rebuild.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Nov 25 10:36 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Rick,
Thanks for the advice. I will look for Rislone.
Hugh
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