So, I usually don't post on this side of the forum, but I noticed this issue with the lifter tick recently. The valves still tick right until shutting off the engine. I have done some reading, and it seems like the o-rings are bad in the pan. I bought my 98 V70 R used with 170,000 miles, and I am at about 173,000 right now.

I have also noticed some small oil leakage from underneath, so installing a new pan gasket might be good as well. I have been using Mobil 1, and there is little buildup (nothing serious) when I look through the oil cap at the cams.

So, here is the question: if I replace the o-rings, should it cure the problem? I have a can of "Kreen" made by the makers of "Kroil" and I have considered adding this to the gas and the oil as something extra. Should I do this, or wait and get the o-rings replaced? The Kreen is supposed to cure lifter tick, but since it is a solvent, I don't want to contaminate the new oil once I change it.

I was thinking about adding Kreen and then driving the car for 500 miles, replacing the o-rings, and then going back to Mobil 1 5W-30. I just think that there is a chance that remaining kreen will get into the new oil, and I am not sure if this is a problem.

If anyone has used Kreen or has any better suggestions, then let me know. The kreen was for my Amazon.

Luke
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1959 Volvo Amazon 121, 1998 Volvo V70R AWD

Luke, there are two problems removing the oil pan - there is no gasket and it is very large. The pan is glued to the block with a mild RTV, which means that the ban and block must be complete free of oil when you roller the new coat of RTV back on. Volvo sells the stuff at close to $40 for a few ounces.

Removing and re-installing the pan is major work, as some of the PS hard lines get in the way, and with the 'wet' RTV on the pan, it must mate without sliding around.

Yes, the oil pick up rings are probably in need of refreshment and should cure any low pressure symptoms.

As to the engine cleaner, AutoRx requires dino oil and yours might also. No harm done if you do this before the oil pan drop. Any residual cleaner after an oil change will be miniscule and not to worry about.

Just try not to go full boost while the lifters are making noise. Ie., keep it under 3500 rpm.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Consider trying AutoRx. If you have any leaking seals it might help that too. Did the AutoRx treatment on my 95 850. 190k no leaks and cams as clean as a whistle.

Have you cleaned the breather system?

Yes, the PCV system was changed right before I bought the car. If I am going to use anything, I will use the Kreen, but I have heard of AutoRx also. I have heard that Kreen can fix the o-ring problem, but I am not sure how.

Would you recommend adding this to the current oil (only 2500miles old), or should I change the oil and then add the cleaner?

Thanks.
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1959 Volvo Amazon 121, 1998 Volvo V70R AWD

I have never heard of Kreen so I can't advise you. Does Kreen have a website? I would check there for instructions. The AutoRx website has instructions for use.

IMHO - I would try the solvent first. But it's your call. With AutoRx you use new conventional oil and filter and run it for 3000 miles. Then rinse with a new filter and conventional oil. After the rinse cycle you can go back to synthetic oil.

Here it is:

http://auto-rx.com/basic-application.shtml

So, I called Kano Labs, and they said to add a pint a kreen to the oil and one ounce for every gallon of fuel to the tank. The container that I had was actually 32oz, so I added about 12oz to the oil and the rest to the tank.

They said it works great with any kind of oil, and that it should be run for at least 500miles. The stuff smells just like kroil, which actually smells like tea tree oil. After adding it, I noticed that the idle was a lot smoother. Before, the dash and other parts would rattle at idle, but not anymore.

It should clean up the problem completely. Just as a note, Kreen is probably the strongest product on the market, and it ships Hazardous Material when you purchase it. It is also illegal in California along with everything else.

I will update you after some more miles with the kreen. On a perfectly good motor, is there any tick at all, when the engine is running? This doesn't sound serious, but I can't tell if it is belt noise or something else.

If you haven't tried Kroil or other Kano products, then you should check them out: http://www.kanolabs.com/ All of their products are strong, so use in a well ventilated area.
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1959 Volvo Amazon 121, 1998 Volvo V70R AWD

The factory says that lifter noise for the first 10 minutes is OK. Hogwash, my Volvos never had lifter noise, even after sitting for a month. But cleaning out the oil passages in the lifters, your ticking should go away.

Note, the color of the cams under the oil filler cap. There is probably a brown coating of varnish on parts of them. The cleaner should remove the varnish! Which it is doing all over the inside of the engine.

Why adding the cleaner and at the same time removing the lifter noise is beyond my sensibilities. Nothing works that fast. Are you sure you were using synthetic oil? Were you low on oil?

BTW, if you get a minor oil leak during the cleaning process, ignore it. The leak should go away when the cleaner is flushed.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Klaus,

I noticed that the idle smoothed out, but that was probably from cleaning the injectors. It has not removed the ticking sound. The sound is not loud, and that is why I wondered if it was the injectors or something else.

I changed to Mobil 1 5W-30 about 2500 miles ago. The oil was between the two marks, and now it is at the top with the kreen.
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1959 Volvo Amazon 121, 1998 Volvo V70R AWD

Lifters can easily be heard in the driver's seat, it almost as bad as pre detonation if the timing is off in the older cars. It makes me want to cringe and back off the throttle.

Injector noise cannot be heard except in the engine bay, and then it is a very quiet clicking noise.

If you hear a quiet click that increases slowly with engine rpm, take a look at the S-belt for wear.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Lifter tick is now completely gone. With the windows down, I no longer hear the lifter sound at all. Before this test, I could visibly see varnish on the cam lobes, but now the lobes are shiny and clean. I also picked up 2 more MPG around town, for some of the best gas mileage ever.

I am going to continue using it for the next 500 miles and then change the oil back to Mobil 1 5W-30. I am also going to try running this through my Amazon next. Kreen is a great product and for $14 plus shipping, it completely fixed the problem.
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1959 Volvo Amazon 121, 1998 Volvo V70R AWD

Let me know how it works on your Amazon. What I don't want is to spring any leaks in my 220. I wonder if it will cure a RMS leak? The clutch has a few good miles left in her.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic