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Sludge concerns S90-V90

Hello! New owner, new member, 1998 V90.

I recently purchased a V90 with relatively low miles at 68k, and AFTER buying it (genius) took it in for a full diagnosis, which came back at $9500 usd for all required work! Ha! That’s kind of another story…

One of the things noted was a clogged PCV system, and I’ve got the kit coming from FCP to fix that, but now I’m concerned that the same conditions that would clog the PCV system may be throughout the engine; as the car was purchased new by an elderly gentleman and used mostly for in-city driving.

What would be the recommended method to de-sludge the engine? Several changes of high detergent oil? Some other engine flush?

Thanks!








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    Sludge concerns S90-V90

    brickboard is really wurkin'!!!! OM Dawg!!!!!

    Hmmmm. 1998 V90? I guess the auto slush box. Like to see one with M90 manual gear box, proper.

    HHhwhut nation state are you in?

    Owner manual recommends the use of synthetic in the Volvo-Porsche white block engine.

    So PCV can clog and the sieve or flame trap. More so using mineral oil or infrequent oil changes. SO you wanna inspect the entire PCV piping. Clog forms usually as the sump vapor cools, condenses at the PCV or a little upstream.

    Also, lotsa of short trips by the primary owner since new. So the engine does not get hot and the oil boils out all the combustion garbage.

    Doubtful sludge. Not the 1970s with an AMC 360 V8 in a keep using mineral oil then.

    What does the underside of the oil fill cap look like? What does the inside of the coolant expansion tank look like?

    The engine may be low miles, yet at 24+ years, timing belts need replacement and is B6304 an interference engine that does not suffer neglect well.

    Any oil accumulation on the engine exterior?

    Happy Brickboard Thanksgiving!!!
    --
    Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert & Gene Siskel






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      Sludge concerns S90-V90

      Did you get that estimate from a dealer?

      If so, have then get maintenance records for you. They may not be compete but they may be instructive, if there is none, they previous owner may have never gone to a dealer.

      There may be a tag on the cover that tells when the timing belt was changed. When they change your timing belt, have them change the seals on the engine at the same time - cheap insurance.

      At the least, change your oil to a synthetic.

      Also consider a SLOW tranny fluid change - have them drain the pan and top off the tranny with new fluid. Do this at each oil change until the fluid looks good. I do not recommend a tranny flush - sometime a flush on an older car causes tranny troubles. Also, I once went for a flush at my dealer and they did not drain the pan first, so after an expensive flush, the fluid was still dirty! They had to do another flush.

      If you have a dealer do an oil change ( $$$ ) you will get a report on various items tested on your car - you might look at a copy of this report before you ask for the oil change to see if you think it is worth the price.

      My dealer will check out a car for purchase and charge one hours labor.

      A dealer should be able to help you prioritize the work you may need.








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      Sludge concerns S90-V90

      Welcome!

      THe astronomical service estimate isn't all that surprising. Really, it's a good thing you didn't get that done beforehand, otherwise you probably wouldn't be the lucky owner of such a fine luxury auto! Hopefully you're prepared to chip away at the deferred maintenance. Definitely check the car's records for a timing belt change. If it hasn't been done then I'd do it SOON. Relatively straightforward job since it's right there up front.

      RE: Engine flush, there's opinions abound. It's generally accepted around here that Synthetic oil is a must and doing shortish (3-5K mi) change intervals on that is a good way to chip away at any old sludge. Me, I'd pick the engine flush used by my current favorite YouTube mechanic and apply per the instructions on the label.
      --
      XC60 / Odyssey








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      Sludge concerns S90-V90

      Hi Eastbay,

      $9500 estimate? Yikes! Did you get that estimate at Mafia Motors?
      Hopefully you went somewhere else for a second opinion, before you suffered
      cardiac arrest.
      You might post that estimate so that we can all be amused.

      Did you get the service records from the previous owner?
      You'll want to know when the timing belt was replaced, also you'll want to
      get the mileage off of the computer and see if it's the same as the odometer.

      Someone else can comment if they have a good idea for an engine flush.

      Dyno oil is poison in the Volvo white block engines, and dyno oil clogs up the EGR and cylinder head too with a hard crusty crap. The clogged EGR can raise crankcase pressure causing failed engine seals. Plugged cylinder head oil galleries are bad news also.

      When I went back to the 940 B230FT I switched to Full synthetic oil, and it is cleaning out this engine gradually. So my suggestion is to decide on what flush or treatment you will do, followed by using only Full synthetic oil.

      Good luck, Bill







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