Hello All:

1967 Volvo 122S Wagon. Virginia has had a knock for some time. If you are reading this and have no idea what I am talking about, you probably want to move on.

For those of you who have been following my travails, something very interesting happened this weekend. As you might recall, I am in a "drive 'til it fails" mode after searching every nook and cranny (including removing and re-installing the timing gear) for this knock. You will also recall that the knock made itself known after I personally removed and reinstalled the head for a professional valve job.

When I started Virginia on Saturday morning I went through my usual routine. I opened the choke, started her up and very gently moved the choke back in. Usually with the choke stalk still pulled out 1" I start to hear the knock, but not on this Saturday morning, dear reader. In fact I pushed it all the way in and was thinking "hmm, that sounds really smooth" when I realized the knock was gone. I sat there for another minute listening and then I was sure - no knock. I opened the hood and listened to the motor - no knock. This went on for around three minutes and I actually started to get worried, thinking I must have dropped a cylinder or whatever was knocking finally came loose inside, waiting to snag on a cylinder skirt or exhaust valve when - the knock. Gently at first, then louder and louder until it returned to full song.

So, what did I do? I actually know. I checked the oil on Friday afternoon and, seeing I was down nearly a quart, poured a quart in and just parked the car, very nearby. If I even turned it on it was only for a few seconds. The car sat overnight until 11:00AM on Saturday in temperatures that varied between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Obviously, my question is this - where does the oil settle immediately after being poured into the valvetrain? Obviously wherever it was sitting in those first few minutes before fully circulating it was giving the exact love that my knock situation needs. I am using 20W-50, by the way.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo