hi everyone thanks for taking time to look at this post.

i just bought this 92 960 170klm 2500 canadian e tested 1 ball joint to certify !!
car is mint
for one week i had this car it ran beautifully after initial cold soak start up

-engine oil pump must bleed down overnight as it punds for 1/2 to a second a
it starts then it is silent for the rest of the day 10w40 in it
-it leaks oil and must burn some too ... 1 quart /500 miles
-engine seems low on power possibly nothing bad but i know its not like it should be cruises fine on highway passes good not a rocket
-today im driving for one hour highway , and i notice it is low on power as i thought it was a bad headwind (it was very windy ) then i slow down for traffic to 40 mph and then i notice the roughness in the engine
-stop to check it out and im down 1.5 quarts of oil mild sound of rod knock or so i think!
-cranking engine seems smooth but for 1 or 2 cylinders fires fine and idles but rough i can drive it at highway speeds it get to highway speeds fine but im aware the roughness smooths out but is there always
- no clouds of smoke oil or fuel
- antifreeze is fine tank is not pressurizing oil is not contaminated with coolant or vice versa
is this a head gasket or ???
how do i compression test this motor with out damaging my ignition system
i know 2& 7 very well but this is my first 9 with this inline 2.9 motor

ANY help is appreciated
also is this worth rebuilding or get a newer 2.9
will a 2.3 four bolt up to this transmission?

thanks for your time ...sorry the post is long

Gerry
the g in kgb!!!

As far as a compression test goes..... Look in the manual and pull either the fuses or the relays for the fuel pump and ECM. This will cancel any fuel or spark when you are cranking. Remember to have the throttle body open all the way. But, I would not worry about it until I did the following :

A few suggestions.......

- Check the flame trap to make sure it is clear and open.
- If the timing belt hasn't been changed in a few years, change it now.
- Check ALL vacuum hose lines (especially those little rubber elbows)
- Check for codes in the DTC
- Replace the spark plugs (suggest Volvo OE 3 pronged)
- See if you can determine where the oil leak is originating.
- Home flush the tranny and replace with Mobil1 ATF.
- These motors always wake up with an Italian tune-up (especially if they've been sitting a while or driven by a little old lady). You MUST make sure your timing belt, pulleys, etc. are in great shape and you have good clean oil BEFORE 'blowing the carbon out'.

Are you using dino or synthetic motor oil.

These is a great car with a great engine and trans. A little TLC and you'll be happy.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

hi thanks for the reply
is there a way to retrieve codes with out any tools
i believe it is obd 1
if so what is the procedure?
also i do not have a manual for it ...which one do you suggest? bentley, volvo haynes ??

thanks

sure you dont think it is a head gasket?

You do not need any tools to pull the codes for OBDI systems on these cars. Check out the FAQ's here for details.

The very BEST manual is the Volvo manual avaiable at their website. After that in order is an AllData subscription, then the Chilton manual at a very distant third.

I always lean toward simple, cheap causes first (they are the most likely anyway) and then escalate from there. I am fairly familiar with these engines (we have two) and I perform most all the work on them (at least so far).. I wouldn't worry about the head gasket unless you have good reason (oil, coolant, or atf leaks or contamination) to believe it is at fault and you have done all the other items I meantioned previously. An Italian tune-up can help compression problems if the engine, trans, fluids and gaskets are all sound.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100