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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by natespaint on Wed Jun 29 14:00 CST 2005
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I just acquired a '90 744, auto, 155k that looks ok. But the engine seized when a front seal blew and the previous owner continued to the next exit. What are the steps I should take to further diagnose it?

I'm going to start tearing and disconnecting parts until I get into the front main seal. Then I'm going to remove the top of the engine to see the pistons and such. Are there some specific measurements and things I should take note of? How can I check the condition of the block, how do I find out what work needs to be done?

Thanks,
Nathan

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by guyprich on Fri Jul 1 12:44 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon Dec 12 22:16 CST 2011

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Nathan,

I have a high mileage B-230F engine in my garage with AW70L tranny that is free for the taking. The engine has 358K miles but was rebuilt about 150K miles ago and runs well. I posted a much more detailed message a few weeks ago but got no interest. I am in the Los Angeles area. If you are anywhere near it is free.

You can Email me at guy_p@sbcglobal.net if you are interested.

Guy P.

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by guyprich on Fri Jul 1 10:43 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon Dec 12 22:16 CST 2011

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by guyprich on Fri Jul 1 10:29 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon Dec 12 22:16 CST 2011

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by werick on Thu Jun 30 11:43 CST 2005
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last visit: Sun Mar 6 08:25 CST 2011

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Hi Nathan:

Spook & Matt L are right on. I had a similar situation. Only in my case it was the rear main seal. I waisted a bunch of weekends, trashed clothes, mess all over the place and an irate wife who wanted to use the weekends for something other than Volvo repair. All this to find out it was not rebuilable.

A low mileage Boneyard Engine solved all my problems in one weekend. Been in there for over 2 years now. Super reliable and still going strong.

You can always play with that old engine on a much less demanding basis. And if you fix it, sell it or part it out on EBAY.

Good luck

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by natespaint on Thu Jun 30 14:33 CST 2005
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Sounds like good advice. I'll start exploratory disassembly for removal, then get a used engine to replace it with.

Thanks guys,
Nathan

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by Rolyak on Wed Jun 29 16:52 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 08:03 CST 2014

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Ran out of oil and seized usually takes out rod and /or main bearings or possibly the cam seized. Drain the oil -look for debris-pull the valve cover- try and determine if the cam is free-if free-pull the engine.

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by squeaks on Thu Jun 30 00:22 CST 2005
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last visit: Tue Feb 19 20:10 CST 2008

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If cam is free, that is good news? Pull the engine for a rebuild then?

In my limited knowlege I was wondering if honing the cylinders, then new pistons or something would fix it.

If cam is freezed I'll start looking for a used engine.

Thanks,
Nathan

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by Rolyak on Thu Jun 30 07:10 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 08:03 CST 2014

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Let me clarify- if the cam is free and the engine is still seized then suspect that the rod and / or main bearings are the cause of the seizure.

I have doubts that a scuffed piston(s) has caused the seizure since it usually contracts when cooled down. The engine then is free but since the skirt is collapsed you get major knocking. Extreme piston slap so to speak!

Basically you need to do "exploratory surgery" to see how much damage was done.
A rapid loss of oil under light load may grab the mains limiting the damage however a spun main would likely mean major machine work to align bore plus crank damage.

At this point you will need to decide if a rebuild is worth it or try to find a good used engine.

Good luck
Tom
Senior Service Engineer for Clevite Engine Parts (we make bearings)

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by squeaks on Fri Jul 1 16:33 CST 2005
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last visit: Tue Feb 19 20:10 CST 2008

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I turned the bolt on the crankshaft belt wheel tonight, it is free to move a little less than 1/4 turn. I took the oil cap off and the cam's did not move at all during that time. I was able to stick my finger in there and rub grease off of my finger onto the cam.

What is the skirt? What can cause the cam to freeze, it should move with the crankshaft bolt, right?

-Nathan

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by spook on Wed Jun 29 15:51 CST 2005
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 08:06 CST 2014

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Dear Nathan,

Good p.m. I'm not a Volvo Mastertech. Unless you want to learn how to rebuild an engine, starting with a stripped block, there's no reason to expend time and energy on a B230F, that's seized-up.

Contact salvage yards, and seek a low miles engine (<100K miles). Check the oil. If it's relatively clean, chances are the previous owner was careful.

The cost of replacing damaged parts on a B230F will be a huge multiple of the cost of a good used replacement engine. That says nothing about the special tools you'll need to do a re-build, and the time.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook

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Fixing seized engine 700 1990

posted by Matt L on Wed Jun 29 15:51 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon Aug 23 08:46 CST 2010

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I would not waste my time or money reviving a trashed engine that has been run without oil. These days the non-turbo b230f's come cheap, you should be able to get one from a junkyard for $400 - probably less. You can't even buy a new set of pistons, rings, and bearings for that.

Just my $0.02

--
Matt L. -- Cary, NC -- '91 740 wagon

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