1994 940 non turbo. 251,000 miles. A good running car. I am sure like many of you I am punctilious about my oil level, keeping it near the top of the stick. Recently after a long trip, however, with the car sitting a couple of days, I started it up cold and was treated to this ugly TICK, TICK, TICK sound. Not a piston slap, but more like a low oil sound. I immediately shut it off and checked the stick.

It read as no more than 1/3 of a quart from full. I added the 1/3, started it up, and there was no more noise.

I understand that if you are down a quart or more, you can expect ugly sounds. But has anybody experienced this when only down less than 1/3 of a quart? Is this maybe a factor of age or mileage?

Thanks.

The only time any of our three 850s made a ticking sound when started was after our daughter returned from Saskechewan where she worked for Ducks Unlimited. The car was due for an oil change, with almost 5000 miles on it. I usually changed my oil at 3333 so that every third change it lined up with 10K services.

I looked in the owners manual and it did mention that a slight ticking could happen once and a while.

After an oil change, it never happened again.

Perhaps oil that is dirty allows the hydraulic lifters to drain down.

Old oil is also thinner than new oil of the same weight because some of the chain molecules get torn apart mechanically and some fuel dilution may happen.

That's why I do not care for the routine that some use - run the oil for a long time and change filters on schedule.

Just FYI. The only red block engine with hydraulic lifters was the B234F 16-valve (and in Europe also the B204FT/GT 16-valve) used in certain late 740 and early 940 models. From my own experience with an '89 740 16V, you are indeed right about valve ticking when the hydraulic lifter passageways become restricted due to dirty oil residue. It's often a sign that oil changes have been neglected, inferior or incorrect viscosity oils have been used and just as often from too much short run/low rev city driving (my case). As the engine warms and the lifters fully pump up the valve ticking will subside and is considered normal for a high mileage 16V. Switching to a good grade of synthetic and upping the oil change interval should soon put the problem right. If the ticking doesn't subside when warm then a top end cleaning or service is in order.

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I had a '90 744 TI and it always seemed to be down on oil a bit all the time (because of its age I checked it weekly).

Then I found out that the marks on the stick were NOT A QUART APART, but somewhat more than a quart. Check your owners manual.

When I topped off the oil, I read the stick and poured in what I estimated was the correct amount.

I checked the oil after I topped it off, and it was STILL low - it seems that I always had low oil because I never properly filled it.

What is your oil change interval? The B230FD (and later B230FT) got oil squirters to help keep piston slap from developing, something that the B230Fs were prone to. Based on this, Volvo raised the Service light reminder interval for the B230FD from 5K to 10K miles (8,000 to 16,000 km), but did not raise it for the B230FT. With a high mileage engine, forget the Service reminder, go back to 5K.

What weight of synthetic are you using? Depending on your climate, the table in the owner manual suggests 10W30. Diesel weight 15W40 is generally more appropriate, especially for higher mileage, and can help keep things a little quieter. Oil sold as 'High mileage' has added seal conditioners, but otherwise shouldn't affect lubrication.

Our '95 B230FD (same as yours) goes through occasional spells of top end ticking, most noticeable when cold. Keeping the oil level in the upper half of the fill range seems to help, probably makes for more oil splash, but the affect on oil pump flow should be negligible. For whatever reason, my B230FT of similar high mileage doesn't have such tendencies.

When was the last valve adjustment check? When was the last needed adjustment? These engines can go a long time between needing valve adjustment. It will depend a bit on the tech how close to spec they will tolerate when checking, also engine temp.

Badly worn or missing valve hushers can make for valve noise (does not affect operation), but this is less common than most might expect unless the engine has been abused. These should be inspected at valve adjustment check.

And finally, worn valve stem guides will start making for more valve noise, especially when cold.

In general, for a high mileage engine, as long as the ticking subsides when fully warm, I wouldn't get too excited.

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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 10W30 grade. I use a Mann filter and change at 5000 miles.

I really don't know if a valve adjustment check has been done. I guess I should look at that.

Interestingly, I have only heard this sound once before, and that was also after couple days of non driving following another long 5000 mile trip, and also just before my oil change.

Coincidence? I dont know.

Thanks to all you Volvo sages.

Interesting that you mention the ticking was most noticeable after long highway drives. My '95 B230FD, same as yours, that occasionally ticks is the one that gets more highway driving than my '95 B230FT of similar high mileage that doesn't tick. BTW, a softer tick can be associated with a worn drive belt.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Hi ___,

Do I understand right that the engine noise on start up has been only with a single batch of Mobil-1?

I suggest that you phone Mobil-1 during the week, and tell them your story.
See what they suggest.
Maybe it was a bad batch and they'll replace it?
Maybe you could have selected a better blend?

I talked to their tech support and they suggest using their 5-40 Euro Blend.
The tech said that blend had the most phosphorus and pushed that as the best option for the Volvo 940.

The first number of the blend is how easily the oil flows when cold.
Maybe 15-40 is the wrong way to go? The heavier grade oils are also
less economical. Did you use the Euro Blend?

I like Jim Walker's traditional idea of Mystery Oil used in the oil.
It can help clean oil passages and rings, etc.
Maybe the best way to use it is sometime close to an oil change ?
You might try a slug of it before your next change and see if that stops the noise.

If it helps please report back.

Good luck, Bill

I recommend switching to 15W40 at the next oil change.

If the valves haven't been checked in living memory then definitely put that on your next service list. Have this done by Volvo dealer service or a good Volvo indie who knows RWD as they will tend to have a good collection of spacers and won't waste time ordering the needed sizes, plus those with a good collection of spacers will tend to do an adjustment rather than deferring it to a later service.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Hi,

My first thoughts would be a belt or water pump bearing.
On a long trip those things have gone round and around a few times.
With that said, how old are either?

A timing belt bearing in the tensioner will have more of a low sounding shrill if it’s getting dry out.

Since it went away so quickly, I will suspect that the belts warmed up a little to shrink tighter. That would changed the tension on the water pump so keep listening.

The idea of the oil filters is very possible as the engine utilizes anti drain back valves but I doubt you can buy them without them.
That word “punctilious” had me looking it up. 🤔
I think with it use in this case you have already settled in on a brand you like the most.
Did you switch up by any chance or do anything something similar like trying a snake oil additive?


Phil

It’s not the oil level. It could be down a quart or more and the engine shouldn’t tick.
Going to throw out some thoughts:
1. Are your valves properly adjusted?
2. Fuel injectors getting old and funky
3. Oil filter - Do you use a good brand like Volvo or Mann? They have check valves.
4. Gunk on your valve tappets.


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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

Gentlemen, thanks. To answer your questions:

Water pump is a few years old. Belts are a little older, but still in their service life.

I use a Mann filter with a full synthetic oil.

Really no idea about the valve adjustment.

this is one of those hard to duplicate sounds of an otherwise good running engine which just ran over 5000 miles in 30 days to Minnesota and back, hitting 14 states.

It sounded to me like the upper end seemed dry and noisy, but again, that should not be. Hopefully there was no damage. And I am guessing that I wont hear it again, at least for a long while. Thanks for all your thoughts.

Valves sticking? Hopefully just a one time event? Upper ends can get noisy as they age.

Something to consider if the noise continues: I had an 850 that had a little valve noise when cold and it would quickly go away. Bear in mind the 5 cylinder engines have hydraulic valve lifters not mechanical as in the b230f. A different beast for sure… I added a little Marvel Mystery Oil to the engine oil and it went away. Good stuff and safe to add to engines. Can also be added to gas to clean the fuel injectors and fuel system.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....