Volvo RWD 120-130 Forum

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by greendread on Mon Jan 25 10:39 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Sep 2 08:56 CST 2014

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Okay folks...

Let's say my carbs are toast... false air at the throttle shafts too lean a mixture, jets sticking- timing way off causing overheating... what's the worst I could be looking at?

I've been reading some posts on brit boards that mention ruined pistons, valves and bearings?

I've just sent the carbs out for a rebuild so I want to know what to look for before I get them back. sadly I must say its been a year since I adjusted the valves. But I'm optimistic. The Volvos have never let me down in the end.

Cheers,

greendread

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by walrus3 on Mon Jan 25 10:50 CST 2010
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last visit: Mon Dec 2 14:20 CST 2013

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My guess is that bad timing and carb setting probably will give you more in bad running and
poor performance than actual damage, unless you ran it as hard as you could for a long time.
I suggest you find out what the condition REALLY is with a compression test, etc.
Immediate result of retarded ignition is low power and burned exhaust pipes and manifold.
If the manifold and pipes have not glowed red or cracked, you probably have not damaged them.
Bearings are damaged by running without oil.
If your valve clearance has not decreased, you probably have not hurt them either.
Don't listen to scare tactics, just fix the problems!
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by alschnertz on Mon Jan 25 10:49 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014

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Good grief man, calm down.
Don't jump to conclusions yet about ruined bearings, valves, etc.

So you haven't adjusted the valves for a year?, so what!
How many miles have you driven in that year? If more than 25-30 thousand, then I'd be more concerned. If your valves were ok before that, don't worry yet.

Sure, check the valve clearances while the carbs are out, but relax for now.

As for the bearings and pistons, wait until the carbs are back and in-tune before tearing anything apart.

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by hairy apple on Mon Jan 25 11:44 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Aug 9 14:47 CST 2014

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The compression test sounds like the first best cheapest and most informative thing you can do.

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by greendread on Tue Jan 26 06:05 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Sep 2 08:56 CST 2014

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Hello All,

Sound advice all of it...

I'll wait till the carbs return, tune up, and see what I find, and a compression test will follow.

Thanks a ton!

greendread

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by derek uk on Tue Jan 26 06:57 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014

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You can do the compression test without the carbs on. You'd have the butterflies wide open anyway. Before doing it, check your valve gaps, write down the results, so that you see if any are reducing. Keep the numbers so that you can monitor any low ones. Then do a careful readjust before doing the compression test.
Post your numbers if you want comments.

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by KlausC on Tue Jan 26 07:34 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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I have been told that doing a compression test on a cold engine will lead to false readings, due to the rings being dry and without oil.

Greendread should adjust the valves, do a tune up, change the oils, and all of the other nitpicking things that he knows he should do but has put off for a while. When he gets the carbs back, make sure the throttle linkage is nicely lubed, the PCV working, and then start it up.

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

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worst case scenario 120-130

posted by derek uk on Wed Jan 27 00:09 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014

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Yes, that's reasonable but it will give you a set of numbers taken under the same conditions. A second run with a squirt of oil down the bores will give you another. If the figures match by around 10%, fine, but if there is a rogue one you can at least pull the head while the carbs are away. If the valves sre OK, suspicion will fall on the rings. Bores might show signs of scoring from broken ones. I doubt if you will then button it up again and redo the tests with the carbs back on, just to verify the figures. I certainly wouldn't want to waste a new head gasket unless I really couldn't make up my mind about the reasons for the bad numbers. Unfortunately with broken rings, you sometimes only find them when you prise them out after you pull the pistons.
In this case, I hope all is well and the recon carbs breathe new life into the engine.

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