I'm looking for a good Volvo Mechanic in Philadelphia...Please help...
Yesterday after 200+ miles on the road my car began clicking, then clattering louder and louder until it finally stopped running. Yes, the oil light was on and I added a quart of oil. I really don't know much about cars but I'm willing to learn and try to fix this myself.
I recently had Bravarian Motors install a new transmission mount...don't know if this could have anything to do with the problem...
The loud clatter sounds like it's coming from the engine...which bounces up and down when running.
Does it sound like the engine needs replaces? its got 270,000...I want the problem addressed once and for all but don't want to sink too much more into this money pit. I think my $ limit is 1000. Any suggestions are totally appreciated.
thanks,
John

There's a good donor engine located at EZ pull in New Ringold, PA. It has about 150K mi. and you can hear it run. It will cost about $100 for the engine and to have it pulled. I saw it there Wed.

It sounds like you ruined your engine. I live 50 mi. north of you and may be willing to help out if needed.

Sounds like you let it get dangerously low. Did the engine over heat? Even if your oil was recently changed the oil in there now is probably cooked. If you have it full of oil and it is still going bonkers you might want to see a mechanic.

You drove with the oil light on and heard clattering - yikes! I had an old Mazda truck that went through oil like crazy. I always knew when I had gone too long without checking the oil because the valvetrain would start to clatter. Funny thing though, the oil light never came on and I would always pull over and add oil immediately. That engine was worn out.


Is the oil light still on? Is your oil at an appropriate level? Do you change your oil regularly? If the engine bounces up and down when running you may need motor mounts, but it could be that the engine is damaged or not running on all cylinders.

Unless the rest of the car is in really good shape you could probably find a replacement for around $1000.

Post more information if you want a considered response.

Ron

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93 944

I did drive with the oil light on because I had already added a quart of oil and, ignorantly thought that would be enough. I assumed the the flicker on and off of the oil light could have been some kind of short or a bad relay. the oil stick was dry when i pulled over though. i pulled the oil stick out immediately upon pulling over...there was steam coming from the dipstick shaft which seemed like it should be a normal occurrence after a day of highway driving.
I started the car yesterday and it rattles and clatters like a morocca full of pots and pans. I added 3 quarts of oil via a funnel in the oil dipstick shaft. no leaks.

Bought the car from the original owner a month ago. he claims it's had a recent oil change...should i change it anyway? if so, how do I go about draining this old oil?


Please excuse my ignorance. I've lived in the middle of the city without a car and have hardly driven in about 11 years. I'd like to become a knowledgeable volvo owner. However trial and error learning process is going to get too expensive for me.

Ill post pics of the vehicle soon...
thanks again,
john

It sounds like you are starting from scratch here - engine oil can easily be added to the big cap on top of the engine. You add transmission fluid through the transmission dipstick. You could look in your owner's manual for some basic diagrams showing where things are, then go to the library and read some more or get a mechanically inclined friend to show you where things are. Older Volvos can be cheap to operate if you can do your own maintenance, otherwise sometimes not. Maybe you should consider how much time you really want to spend learning about cars.

Ron