Help Needed for poorly 850 T5 1996

[pecky2k]

I bought 1996 850 T5 ex-police expecting it to have been serviced regular as clockwork, thus being well maintained and in good condition.
But since i got the car it has had a terrible hot start problem and now has a ticking noise. Local garage has ruled out cambelt,waterpump, tensioners/rollers,power steering and alternator faults.
He did comment on several rocker bolts that are not standard so advised me to do a compression check, my tester isnt accurate but is consistent and here is what I found
1)9.3bar 2)6.6bar 3)6.6bar 4)9bar 5)8bar
So I presume from this that I have either a head fault or headgasket fault between 2 and 3.
But before I replace the headgasket and test the head/skim I would rather find out what this noise is(dont want to waste money)
Volvo says that it is a bent conrod(but tried to sell me an engine privately)
Local garage says it is a hydraulic tappet(but he is a BMW specialist).
I says I'm not sure.
The noise is apparent at tickover but gets worse but it isnt consistent with the revs.
I noticed that at a steady 2000rpm,no matter what gear, the noise was intermittent but it was speeding up and slowing down even though the rpm was steady.
Can somebody help me please?
Many Thanks
Dale

[Justin]

Where are you in the UK?

The noise could be something as simple as a purge valve, they often make a ticking noise when faulty, they are also intermittent. To check it look from the passenger side of the car at the radiator fan housing, there are vacume pipes going past it and are clipped on to secure. There will be a round valve spliced into the pipes, that is the purge valve, if its faulty it will click, yet it sounds like its coming from the head/injectors/tappets.

If you cant find it let me know ill take a pic of mine for you.

Other than that its hard to diagnose without hearing. I'll help if i can mate.

Cheers

[Wobbly Dave]

Sorry to hear she is not well. I hope she feels better soon

[volvotuning]

I bought 1996 850 T5 ex-police expecting it to have been serviced regular as clockwork, thus being well maintained and in good condition.
But since i got the car it has had a terrible hot start problem and now has a ticking noise. Local garage has ruled out cambelt,waterpump, tensioners/rollers,power steering and alternator faults.
He did comment on several rocker bolts that are not standard so advised me to do a compression check, my tester isnt accurate but is consistent and here is what I found
1)9.3bar 2)6.6bar 3)6.6bar 4)9bar 5)8bar
So I presume from this that I have either a head fault or headgasket fault between 2 and 3.
But before I replace the headgasket and test the head/skim I would rather find out what this noise is(dont want to waste money)
Volvo says that it is a bent conrod(but tried to sell me an engine privately)
Local garage says it is a hydraulic tappet(but he is a BMW specialist).
I says I'm not sure.
The noise is apparent at tickover but gets worse but it isnt consistent with the revs.
I noticed that at a steady 2000rpm,no matter what gear, the noise was intermittent but it was speeding up and slowing down even though the rpm was steady.
Can somebody help me please?
Many Thanks
Dale

Bent conrods barely alter the compression ratio, and if they did, they would be so badly bent that the engine would not run. Could be something like a piston ring.

Adam.

[pecky2k]

(Msg. 4) Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject:

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Since posting I have taken the rocker cover off and noticed that some of the oil holes that fill the hydraulic tappets have been sealed by an expert in kitchen sink sealing(Its here there and everywhere).
Number 2 plug was sooty black but not oily.
Starts fine from cold.
The noise is intermittent throughout the rev range, but more apparent under load.
I havent noticed a misfire and its the first Volvo that I have owned(was a BMW man) so I'm not sure what kind of niggles to look for really.
MPG?? If taken easy then its not too bad, actually its better than expected, but with all that power on tap and owning a very heavy right foot I couldnt say for sure. I have put 48 litres in and done around 150 miles but quite a bit of that has been on tickover at the garage.
Any chance of a picture of the purge valve please?
I have spoken to a Volvo garage nearby, not main dealers, and they have quoted £275 to do the head gasket but have said that the head CANNOT be skimmed due to water jackets too close to the head???
I have worked out that the whole job would be:-
£43 full gasket set
£23 bolts
£25 head test
£30ish oil filter(hopefully somebody on here can advise what is the best oil/combination for a t5 please?)
£10 antifreeze/coolant
All-in about £130 saving me £145(I'm a poor student in vehicle body repair)
I do have above average mechanical knowledge with quite an extensive tool range, but am I biting off more than I can chew???
Is there anything that is a possible problem than a straightforward head gasket change??
Many Thanks
Dale

[pecky2k]

Hi
I'm in Bolton, Lancs

[Justin]

Hi Dale, i dont think its head gasket problems, has no symptoms of it. I'll take a pic of the purge valve for you thisavo and email it to you if thats ok ?

Then go from there

[pecky2k]

Hi Dale, i dont think its head gasket problems, has no symptoms of it. I'll take a pic of the purge valve for you thisavo and email it to you if thats ok ?

Then go from there

Hi Justin
Did you manage to take a picture of that purge valve?
Cheers
Dale

[Justin]

Ahhh forgot, ill do it first thing mate, sorry!!!

[Justin]

Dale, here are 2 pics of the purge valve!!!

Listen closely to it and see if its that ticking, also you will be able just to feel it as it will vibrate slightly when ticking!

Hope these help

[pecky2k]

Dale, here are 2 pics of the purge valve!!!

Listen closely to it and see if its that ticking, also you will be able just to feel it as it will vibrate slightly when ticking!

Hope these help

Cheers for the pix.
I will check that out as soon as the weather gets better...so my next post will be next summer(if we get one) LOL
Many Thanks Justin
Dale

[Justin]

No problem