The car shakes at idle, the engine also produces a ticking or tapping sound. I am a newb at Volvos so any ideas to what is causing these problems please reply. Thanks.

 

Hi jorhyne,

Your problem sounds like a collapsed lifter. How many miles on your car? Has the oil and filter been changed lately? Oil level ok?

Dale

 

Hi JetTech,

The odometer does not work so not sure on the miles. The oil is clean looking and not low on the dipstick. What is involved repairing a collapsed lifter? Is it an expensive repair at a shop?

 

A collapsed lifter is just my best guess as to what you're describing. The first thing I would try before opening the engine up, is dumping a pint of marvel mystery oil, in addition to the oil in the engine, and run it for a few days. Marvel mystery oil can sometimes unclog the lifters of carbon and deposits that keep them from pumping up and make them pump up again. It's worth a shot and certainly something I would try before I did anything else. If the engine isn't knocking (your sure it's not bearing related) then run the heck out of it for a few days with Marvel Mystery oil and change the oil and filter using a good oil with lots of cleaners in it. One oil that is reasonably priced is Shell Rotella T Synthetic. It's a 5W-40 diesel oil by make-up, but is also SM rated for gas engines. I buy it at Wal-Mart for about $15 a gallon which is all you should need. Give it a try and let us know how it works for you.

Good Luck jorhoyne,

Dale

 

These cars don't have Hydrolic lifters.
If it is a lifter noise it will need to be reshimmed.

Make sure the Exhaust manifold gaskest aren't blowing out causing the tapping.

Also clean the throttle body and idle motor to see if it helps with the idle.

 

Wow tech, thanks for setting me straight. I had no idea they were shimmed lifters. Learn something new everyday!!!

Thanks,

Dale

 

No problem thats how we all learn.
I am still learning everyday as well.

 

The last time I shimmed lifters was on an old SAAB about 20+ years ago. Wow was that a long time ago....I'm suddenly feeling very old....LOL

 

Hi tech, I will check closely on the exhaust manifold to see if that is the culprit. I know what the throttle body is but what and where is the idle motor? Thanks.

 

The idle motor is a round cylinder looking thing mounted under the intake manifold. It has 2 hoses going to it.One of the hoses go to the induction hose and the other goes to the intake.