Hi-

So after searching a bit, I haven't really found a good answer to my problem. My 960 has valve noise, as in it sounds like a typewriter. Used to be only when it idled a while after being driven on the highway, but now it seems to be happening more often. Checking the oil level, seems to be OK.

Any thoughts? Is this an engine flush situation, seafoam treatment, or am I looking at mechanical failure? As I understand it, the valves on the 97 960 are not adjustable, but I may be wrong.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks-
Brady

 

Valve noise is common and normal on 960s for as long as 20 minutes after start up...
You may try different oil--thinner, synthetic...
They are not adjustable.

 

IMO that valve noise is not good. I doubt seafoam would do anything. You could try it. Does the oil light stay on longer than usual?

 

#2 in this video. Replace the oil & filter with a Volvo or Mann filter. Stuck lifters are noisy and revving the motor makes them worse. Keep the rpm as low as possible when they are tapping.


If they are ruined, you will need to replace them. This link will explain how it's done on a 850. They are both "white blocks", creatures of the same mold.

http://atthetipwebs.com/technologyin...ns/lifters.htm

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. No, Henry, the oil light never stays on, nor has it ever come on during driving. It seems the car does use a little oil, and it used to be that the valve noise corresponded to when it was a little low. Top it off, and no more noise.

Car only has 139K on it. What causes these hydraulic lifters to go bad in the first place?

 

They are pumped up by oil. So oil problems, low oil, or bad oil changes, or the wrong oil may cause them to get inadequate pressure and rattle. Also just sitting drains oil down and makes them rattle at start up. But it is nothing to panic about...

This is from the Owner's Manual:
B6304 S Engine


This engine features hydraulic valve lifters which means that valve clearance is adjusted automatically. It is possible that the valve lifters will produce a ticking sound for the first few seconds after the engine is started, while the oil pressure is increasing.
If the car has not been used for a long period of time, this ticking sound may last for up to 15 minutes. This is entirely normal.

NOTE:
Do not exceed 3000rpm until the ticking sound disappears.
Selecting position P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods of time will help prevent overheating of the transmission oil.

 

Yeah, I'll probably do a good oil change and maybe a flush. The car was sitting for about a week on an inclined driveway, so maybe it will take a bit to get the oil circulating again.

 

Did the noise improve with the oil change?

I had this on a new-to-me 2004 XC70, changed oil with Mann filter and dino oil and the noise is substantially gone, to the point where it is difficult to hear with the hood/bonnet closed.

OTOH, my 960s have *always* been a bit noisy, all of them with many, many miles on them when acquired. The noise has never been a detriment to the running of the engine, in fact, all three have been as strong as I could have hoped.

 

Most of the noise in these motors are the injectors clicking. You can also hear the valve train but nothing like a stuck lifter. As stated, use Volvo or Mann filters.

If you have a turbo car, use full synthetic oil.

 

I'm currently having the same issue with my 99 s80. It's not turbo.

I had the oil changed today, full synthetic oil. I've tried everything possible.

The sound is still there. I can't hear it while I'm in the car, but as soon as I pop the hood you can hear it plain as day.

I was going to take it into the dealer until they told me they wanted $200 plus tax, just to look at it!

What do you suggest on doing? I'm driving from Tacoma to Portland tomorrow. Maybe the new oil just needs to get through the engine more. Ill be sure to check it when I get to Portland as well to see if its still there.

Any suggestions are welcome!!!

 

Valve noise is rather annoying, but I bet that it is just during idle. Once the engine is moved off idle with the increase in oil pressure, bet that ends the lifter noise.

What weight oil are you using? Maybe next oil change to increase that weight, or next oil top off use a much higher weight.

Also, the fuel injectors can be loud too and be confused with lifter noise.

DanR
'94 964 387,000 (153,000 on the new engine) and a '08 S60T 78,000 miles

 

What Dan said.

Post a video so we can hear what you are hearing.

I have heard of people driving for a year with bad lifters.

Also, fresh oil is mixed through the motor in seconds.

 

Wouldn't lighter weight oil be better? It would penetrate better, clean better, thus free the stickiness, if that's what the problem is. I wonder.

 

I've had two other mechanics look at it since this post. Both have reassured my its the fuel injectors and the ticking I'm hearing is common. I dunno, I just like knowing that sound is there. Weird I know. Call me OCD but my s80 is my baby. I take better care of my car than any woman I know lol. Ill try to take a video tomorrow. Thanks guys!

 

I'd have to look at my receipt for the weight of the oil but I think it's 5w/40 which I did go with a thicker oil during that last oil change as well!

 

My '89 740 GLE 16v (141k mi.) just started ticking. At first it would go away after driving for a bit. Not so much now though. And it seems to be getting louder. Are these hydraulic lifters? If not, do they require periodic adjustments? Will it hurt to drive the car like this? I'm short of funds right now, and don't have anywhere to work on it of of the cold. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

I took my s80 to the dealership. Just turned out to be the fuel injectors

 

I added a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil to my '89 740 GLE 16v. Ticking problem solved.

 

Just replaced the wire harness looming around the coil wires, cam sensor wires and the section leading to the fuel injector rail on my 1999 S70. Now I hear a very loud ticking that was not there before. What could I have done?

 

Wires should not cause ticking. It of course may be coincidental and unrelated to your work. Is it a valve lifter or a fuel injector?