Hello everyone! Just got my second Volvo Wagon 1997 V90. Got a great deal from a Tranny Shop. The just put a new Tranny in it and the people didnt pay so I got it for $1500 on a Garage Keepers Lein. Very straight car 240k miles BUT 2 cylinders lost compression after 1 week - OUCH! Just got a "new" engine in with 120k miles. I have a few oil leaks to contend with (oil cooler gskts) and 1 at the upper rear of engine (think it may bew areound the oil pressure sensor). Great driving car, my 1st was a 1989 240 wagon with a 5spd manual - very straight car too - the odometer quit at 350k! No telling how many miles are on it! Should have kept it! Anyways - I look forward to being here!THanks.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum. I thing the S/V90's are the best cars that Volvo ever built. Not the lowest with maintenance however, but very good solid cars non-the-less.

Did you find out what caused the loss of compression?

 

Check out that oil leak real good.That engine has head gasket problems and that could be a leaker. If you have to pull the head be ready for broken bolts. What was the problem or cause of 2 dead cylinders on the other engine.Maybe valves?
Those engines usually have no cyl or berreing problems if oil changed every now and again.Lower end oil leaks,need to drop pan to fix and are very common.Valve tappets clicking on start up first indication of this problem and it needs addressed fast.

 

Hey Thanks RSPI and Sgt Ed !
I never really dug into the cause of compression loss - got the used motor for $700 so I went that route. This new engine has REALLY slowed down on the oil leaks! I tightened the large nut at the bottom of the oil cooler and the rear leak has slowed to a puddle about 3" in diameter overnight and the front from the oil cooler is Quarter-sized. The engine did set for about 1 year so maybe things died out? I have put about 200 miles on it. Tappets are very quiet on startup. We will see

 

Good news! Replaced all the seals in oil cooler & leaks are gone. The leak at upper seems to simply be the oil fill cap after removing the alive cover "cover". Oil weeps out of the oil cap & Creeps all the way to the rear and drips on exhaust. Picking up new cap tonight ! Just 1 more new setback: starts VERY hard after engine is warm. Almost like an old carbureted car "loaded up" or too rich??? No engine codes though and starts great cold! Thanks