Hello from Branford CT,
I have a 95 960 wagon 275,000. When getting on the highway the other day I hit the gas and it started running strange. After checking things out # 6 cylinder not firing at low rpms. Good spark, got gas, tried swapping coils, changed Icm (rear). My 850 did this, I think it was an intake gasket. If i remember correctly they where seperate little gaskets for each intake. Is the 960 like that? Anything else I'm missing? Check engine light is on. Also how do I get the codes? I know where the unit is I just don't know how to use it.
Thanks for your time.

 

Hello, I have a 1997 960 and i replaced the intake gasket as a result of rough idle and check engine light on with codes, i included a pic of what it looked like.
I purchased a code reader tool and googled for code definitions once i read the fault code, can't remember what it was but, searching the forums helped me to pinpoint the problem. Here's a link to one really well written post i read regarding the intake manifold removal.(960 Information)
hope it helps.



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Thanks for the reply, did you have no compression in that cylinder? My # 6 is dead.
might have to swap the head.

 

Yes, i had good compression, hope it's not your cylinder head they are a pain to replace, there are very detailed instructions you have to follow to get good results. Appears that you have advanced knowledge of cars but just in case you're a weekend warrior like me, did you do a cylinder leak test to verify dead cylinder? Have you gotten any coolant mixing with the oil ? What about air bubbling out of the coolant reservoir? was it overheating?
Those are some of the symptoms i have seen on vehicles with leaking head gaskets. I'm not afraid of a chevy V8 but i think if my Volvo head was out I would definitely take it to a Volvo repair shop (not necessarily the Dealer) because they have all the special tools and equipment needed for such a job.
But, I would of course exhaust all my options available to me first.

 

Check compression. May have a burnt valve.

 

I believe a valve is stuck open if that's possible. It's not the head gasket, no fluids in the oil or oil in the coolant. I can get a re manufactured head for $500.00 but i'm not sure I want to do it myself. Also with 274,000 what else will go next. I might just replace the motor or sell the car for parts and get another. My mechanic wants a $1000.00 to swap the heads. If I do the math it doesn't add up to practical. Plus my wife would have me in a head lock.

 

Exh valves are known to stick open, if these motors are driven short distances, and not allowed to warm up. I would take it out on Route 80, in L gear, rev it 5000 for 10-15 minutes. If that doesn't work I would do a "Chinese Water Torture" on it. It basically seafoam and water. Google it if you need to.