Im posting in regards to the family 960. Over the past 4-5 months it has been making a very sickly engine sound especialy on startup, but it never fully goes away. It sounds almost like metal friction, asthough it is out of oil, but the oil level is fine and more importantly it runs fine. Id like to hear a nice humm sound from a 6cyl engine. Can this be acheived? or is it just the way the 960/s90s are? I was thinking it may be the valves, and was considering an oil additive, ones that claim to clean deposits on the valves.


Secondly, the suspension seems very loud (crashing clunking over bumbs), almost all over, but especialy in the rear. My 740 isnt quite as bad. I was driven in a new ford toraus (SP?) recently and that thing beutifuly boubles over bumps. Since the 960 is a luxury car, should it be more like that?

Sadly, thirdly. When first started, and going in reverse and then forward again, it makes a snapping sound and some crunching sounds. Could it be the breaks?(Doesnt necessarily happen when breaks are applied) sometimes it does it after, say comming back from shopping and backing out of the parking lot.

Its alot to ask, and Im sorry for the length, but if some people could help out with advice, that would be great.
--
-J-

First, with the engine running, and the hood open, can you discern where the noise is coming from? I've had tensioners make a "scary" noise before.

Second, I'd be betting on your needing a transmission mount. This will make the car noisy as hell, and it will sound like the noise is coming from everywhere.

Chris

Oh, and the front control arm bushings also go with regularity.

Chris

Thanks Chrissij
Unfortunetly it is very hard to determine where
the sound is comming from. The timing belt is
going to be changed soon, so we will have the
mechanic look at the tensioners and pullies.
The front bushing have, however, been replaced
6 or so months ago, so I suppose thats not the
reason for the suspension sounds.

Thanks again
--
-J-

Hi J,

I would take the car to your mechanic IMMEDIATELY! *If* the T-belt tensioner is failing, it must be replaced ASAP. My Vo mechanic has a '95 964 that he bought from a customer for a couple grand because the tensioner failed. The car is in average shape otherwise with ~172K km (~108K mi). When the tensioner broke all the valves were ruined. The damaged parts were relaced ($$$), the head reinstalled and then it was discovered that there was damage to the head itself (more $$$). My mechanic thinks that by the time he has the car fixed there won't be much, if any, room for profit. I'd have the car checked ASAP to make sure the tensioner isn't failing. 960s (like the newer FWD Volvos) are known for hydraulic lifter problems (ticking, no start after sitting). If it's not using alot of oil and it's not leaking oil, I'd suggest switching it to synthetic oil (Amsoil, Mobil 1, Redline, etc). I hope this helps!
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 288K km and '91 745 NA, 372K km.

Thankyou for your post. This sounds quite bothersome.
More and more Im suspecting this. Its my parents car,
and I have a hard time informing them that its not like
their john deer tractor (it wont take a licking and keep
on ticking). Its too bad, and understandable, they didnt
have interference engines back in their day.

I will email them your postings. Thankyou for your input.
--
-J-

Hi J,

I'm glad I could help a bit. I'm learning about these 960s from my Volvo mechanic. They're lovely cars, but need more attention then the 4cyl 700/900s. Hopefully, you'll get through to your parents, otherwise it might be an early death for their 960. Good luck!
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 288K km and '91 745 NA, 372K km.

A few clarifications of things might help us here. First, how many miles are on the car? Second does the start-up noise increase with revving at standstill? What does it do when it's moving..louder? How about when it's fully warmed up?

The transmission munt is one huge rubber dougnut between the 'skidplate" and the tranny. If you can inspect it, determine whether the bolt is sticking out beyond the access hole.

The rear sound may be your parking brakes beginning to fall apart. How does the lever feel?
--
John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 105K

Thankyou for inquiring about the cars problems.
The car has a little over 53,000miles. The engine
sounds occur with engine speed and are independent
from what gear the car is in. The sound does NOT
hardly change cold or warm (however at the very
initial start it sounds a bit worse, but never fully
goes away)

I would still say that the noise sounds like metal
friction or a bit high pitched.

The crunching sounds reverse and forward again
remain a mystery. The parking break (emergency break?) feels
normal. To note: my 740 had similar problems with crunching
sounds while reversing and going forward again, it just went
away with time... odd.

Ill also look into that tranny mount.

Thanks
--
-J-

It doesn't make sense with a car as young as 50 odd K, but the first thing a "crunching" sound on reversing direction I would think of is a "U" joint or CV joint. If a boot has been damaged somehow, a CV joint may have been contaminated with water & dirt.

I believe the drive shaft has a CV joint at the differential and "U" joints at the middle and transmission. Both axles have a CV at each end.

Maybe the serpentine belt tensioner is failing and the start-up noise is the hardworking alternator slipping while recharging the battery????

Just some ideas, as it's hard to diagnose by remote control.

BTW, all the other suggestions are as good as my ideas.

Yes, my '88 John Deere Hydro 175 lawn tractor has run without more than normal maintenace since I got it used 10 years ago. (Had a few issues left from PO.)
--
'96 965 with 16' wheels at 116K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

Dear J391,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. If you suspect the tensioner is failing, have the car towed to a mechanic. Do not drive it an inch. If the tensioner fails en-route, your folks have a hugely costly repair.

A car with 53K miles should not be put a risk. The cost of a tow is nothing, compared with the cost of head/valve repairs.

It might be a good idea to flush the tranny, with synethetic trans fluid. That might help to cure the crunch. Even if it is doesn't, 50K is enough value from the trans fluid: it doesn't owe anyone a penny.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully

spook