I warmed it up this morning (50 degrees F. outside) and drove about a mile at 30mph. Parked and turned off for 30min. On start up, loud noisy valves (I think). Checked on t-belt and v-belt... Nothing obvious. No leaking. Coolant and oil full.

Edit: Engine is running strong. No apparent power loss at the moment, though I'm reluctant to drive it at the moment.

ODB2 reads P0300, P0304, P0305. Cylinder 3, 4 and 5 misfire codes.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Norman

That's too many misfires. It could be fouled plugs, or a dirty rotor cap. OR, it could very well be your valves are sticky. These 5 cylinder engines need to get their rpm over 3K once in a while, just to spin the valves in their seats. Failure to do so allows carbon to build up and create future problems, like sticky valves and loss of compression.

So, run the engine for a while! Put the selector in L and drive around the town at 30-35 mph for 20 minutes. Besides being fun to do, it will clean up the combustion chambers and heat up the oil so the contaminates burn off. BTW, leave the radio off you can hear the engine.

These 'short' trips are death. Walking 1 mile is better for you and the car.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Mmmmmmmkay. Totally different issue came up. The noise I was hearing turned out to be starter related. I thought it was weird that it sounded like loose parts rattling around. When I turned it off earlier today (after about 10 min of freeway driving), it made a metalic clunk sound. When I turned it over again I got more rattling and intermittent starter whirring (then I stopped and haven't touched it since). Hoping it's "just" the starter gear?

Is it something along the lines of this thread: http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=1374810&show_all=1

Also: I think the misfires might be due to the fact that I ran it almost totally out of gas the other day and haven't looked at codes since. I cleared misfire codes and they haven't come back.

The starter solenoid is sticking and not releasing properly. You could try tapping it with a screwdriver handle, but I would replace the starter. See if you can find a 'good' one at a junk yard.

The misfires were from running out of gas, no big deal.

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Thanks Klaus and Andy.

Klaus: I'm with ya on the short trip issue. I live in a flat, small town area and normally ride my old cruiser bicycle for short trips... Yesterday, I had to pick up supplies for my business but I'm normally diligent about not doing short trips.

I'll be pulling the starter off today and will update this evening/tomorrow.

Thanks again, y'all.

N.

I pulled the starter off yesterday. Bolts were tight/not loose. Gear looked good and so did the flywheel gear.

When I got it out I noticed a rattle. I shook it. It sounded like a maraca. So I did the Cucaracha for a minute then called a local guy who's parting out a 95 850 Turbo. $30 and 45 minutes later she fired right up without a hitch. Drove it in to Seattle last night to see Steely Dan live at the Paramount. Breathtaking.

It was tough to diagnose because at first the starter was working perfectly. I'd turn the key and the car would start right up. Only evidence was a light grinding noise that could have been coming from anywhere in the motor or tranny. Wasn't until that one time the starter didn't catch immediately that I had a clue.

N.

Voluto ergo sum

Just for fun, double check the wires. Check the coil wire.