Volvo RWD 140-160 Forum

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Engine Knocking 140-160

My engine started knocking (1974 164e) not too long ago really bad. I've changed the oil (added lucas), Changed the spark plugs and wires, checked the distrbutor cap, and ran a compression test and all are fine. Anyone else have any ideas? It's been parked in my back yard for a few months now and I'd rather it not be a lawn ornament. Thanks.








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    Engine Knocking 140-160

    I had that in my 164 at 204,000 miles and thinking it was rod problems put
    in a different engine. When I finally tore it down and plastigaged and
    miked it I found the following:
    Zero measurable wear on rod bearings
    Zero measurable wear on main bearings
    less than 0.005" wear on the worst cylinder
    Could have used a valve job
    Bad fiber timing gear.

    I suggest you try a timing gear. Lot cheaper than an engine change.
    --
    George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!








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    Engine Knocking 140-160

    Knocking, as in mechanical clunking or as in ignition pinging?

    The timing gears are the achilles heel of the B18/B20 motors, I think often the B30 got a steel timing gear set but it could still be the culprit. At idle and low speeds a bad timing gear can sound like an idling semit truck diesel motor. It can sound just like a rod knock, only a timing gear will often quiet down as the rpms rise, but rod knock can happen at any rpm if the piston loading is right (often when the rpms are falling, on the 'overrun').
    --
    I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.








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      Engine Knocking 140-160

      Is there an easy way of diagnosing the timing gear? My B20B sounds like a diesel, but the knocking is not always there. Not sure if it changes with oil temperature, or if the fiber gear keeps on changing. I'm an electronic engineer and can put something together like a microphone or fancy measurements, but not so clued up on the mechanical workings.








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      Engine Knocking 140-160

      Many B30s had the same fiber gear. See my other post.
      --
      George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!








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        Engine Knocking 140-160

        The knocking is constant no matter what rpm it's at but it is worse at a higher rpm.








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          Engine Knocking 140-160

          You might try hooking up a timing light and see if the ignition timing is
          erratic- might be good to check it on several different plugs or maybe
          even the center wire. If it looks like the timing is jumping around a few
          degrees that would be a clew that the timing gear is loose on its hub (which
          is one of the main ways they fail).
          --
          George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!







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