This morning my 94 850 turbo wagon wouldnt start. Sounded like there was no compression at all. I imediately thought it was a broken timing belt. After checking it out later in the day, I realized the belt was fine and I had fire and was getting fuel. After remembering reading somewhere about holding the accelerator to the floor, I tried it and it began to try to start. After an hour or so of trying this I heard more and more cylinders building better compression. Finally it started but most of the lifters are very loud. I assume they blead down. Anyone knows what would cause this?
I drove the car to Atlanta for the weekend(4.5 hours each way) then didn't move it for 3 days. Only other time my lifters made noise was after installing a new head 3 months ago, but even then it started up fine.

 

It has been dubbed the "lawn mower syndrome". It typically happens after you start the car and it immediately dies or if you start the car to only move it a couple of feet to get the lawn mower out of the garage. It has happened to me a couple of times and rather than burn the starter up I dump a teaspoon of oil into each cylinder and crank it until it will hold. The smoke cloud is amazing but it works.

...Lee

 

I have always wondered what causes this. One thing is for sure, I think Volvos have some really damn strong starters <grin>