it sounded like this yesterday and today. This PM, I pulled the timing belt and re-set and re-adjusted the timing belt - setting the Crank, and then the intake gears and focusing my attention on the exhaust cam.

The exhaust cam crept *very* easily when I was trying to install the belt or the cam locking tool. I managed to move the gear back 1 tooth, and now both cam gears are exactly 6 teeth from the index mark, to the first fully engaged tooth on the belt, as well as precisely in A-V bolt alignment. I also released the exhaust cam briefly and removed the slack between the intake and exhaust gears.

I test started the engine and re-adjusted the belt twice. Each time, the exact same noise returned. The engine *still* sounds just like in this video.


Four possibilities are kicking around in my head.

1) I'm still not getting the cam properly aligned.
Seems unlikely at this point, but clearly something is not right.


2) Maybe, like a B18/20, the crank has more than one point where the #1 cylinder is near TDC - that is, it takes TWO complete revolutions to reach the proper index mark... I tried to spin the crank and extra revolution and the piston jammed up against the valves - so no-go. Don't see how the engine could be running if this was the case. A B18/20 won't work at all like that.

3) I have a huge, but invisible exhaust leak.
I'll be damned if I could find it, but it is possible.

4) it's something else - perhaps a stuck hydraulic lifter/cam follower?
Seems risky to pry the head apart again just to take a look.


I seem to be burning my oil... I can smell a bit of burned oil when I park, and my level of new, clean, fresh Mobil1 dropped today. How may quarts are supposed to be in this engine?


I am getting close to taking it to a Volvo shop... It would be tantamount to admitting defeat, but still vastly cheaper than if I had gone to one for the head gasket.