I parked my 97 960 at a slight incline for a few days and when I strated it up this morning it sounded horrible making terrible coughing and missing/sputtering noices for about 20-30 seconds. After this the car smoothed right out. My hunch is that the oil lifters were starved after sitting at incline for a few days. Could this cause the engine to run like crap until oil was lifted into the upper part of the engine. Can anyone confirm this or explain what might cause this problem? Thanks!

Dear old Chuck (92 965, 449000km) did this from new if started and driven a very short distance like out of the garage for a wash then back. The valves took a good minute to get going with the resulting cement mixer immitation. Cold starts when I did'nt change to 5W30 soon enough - real cold, -25C (-14F),- it didnt start at all. As the best road car I will ever own reaches 280000mi on orignal drivetrain I cant see that this problem caused any stress. Chuck gets 5W30 every 3500mi winter& summer and always at least a 3 mi trip up to highway speed every time out.

About 4000mi ago, O rings in the oil delivery system were replaced by the shop to correct valve train noise caused by insuficient pressure. Pricey labor but worked like a charm.

Good luck with your 960. Chuck, Eric (99 S70-nice but not exciting)& Dan.

Dan965,

Can I ask how much the shop charged to change the o-rings? was this a Volvo or Indy shop?

Thanks

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 065,800 and 1995 964 149,450

DEWFPO: Hi

It was a volvo shop. Not many 960's were sold here in Canada so I have found this car mistifies most ind. shops.

Parts: 8648358 o ring kit (oil pan pick up seals) $24
1161059 Chemical Gasket ( oil pan gasket glop) $30
oil change /filter $34
Labor 4.5hrs $396 (ouch!)

If you're handy and have the space and time this is probably a DIY job. The engine has to be lifted slightly off the mounts to remove the oil pan. There is probably an entry about this one on the 700/900FAQ .

The $ are Cdn. The labor is Volvo book so would be the same everywhere.

Good Luck

Dan965

Thanks for the info Dan965,

Our 95 964 w/149,300 miles could sure use the oil pickup
'o' rings replaced. Sometimes it sounds like a cement mixer in the morning when cold for the first few minutes, nothing else I've tried has lasted long to get rid of the ticking.

I have found the same situation as you have with regard to experienced technicians that really understand and know how to work on the 960/90 series. I have taken our two cars to independent Volvo(retired)mechanics as well as dealerships and they all act as if they rarely work on them. I guess there weren't very may sold anywhere in North America. Either that, or very few people bring them in for work. Most techincians I've talked to are whiz's at 240's and 850's but when it comes to the 960/90's...... they seem to be a little challenged. No disrespect implied. This has led me to do most of my own work on these cars. Lists like this one have been invaluable.

DEWFPO

(getting pretty good at replacing PNP sensors)
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1998 S90 065,800 and 1995 964 149,450

I think you are right on. My 960 has always run rough after a few days of no use. It seems that when it was new it took a week or so, now with the miles that it has, it does only take about 2 days. If I park it on Friday and not use it until Monday morning it reacts just the way you describe. It may be a combination of wear in the lifters and sticking valves. I think the valves are most likely the cause.

DanR 964 230,000 miles
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DanR

Thanks! I will give it the "Italian" tune up!

My 960 only does this after driving it up on the ramps for an oil change...it has to have something to do with either the oil, or the flex put on the engine mounts when driven up or sitting at a steep incline. My engine will shake the car a for a few seconds.

Cheers,
Edmund