I'm rebuilding my 2005 s40 after having a blown head gasket. I've taken it apart, and gotten to where the valve cover is on.

The problem is that the cam shafts seem very locked up. The will spin through a rough bumpy 300 degrees. The final 60 degrees are completely locked up. I didn't expect them to spin all that freely, but I feel like it shouldn't take this much effort.

To put into perspective, I'm spinning them with my hands with rubber mechanic gloves on. Not only, does this bother my in general, but its going to make it that much harder to line up the timing marks. I got the timing marks covered though. Plenty of threads on that already.

Before attempting this, I have done the following:

• Measured the clearance of the tappets to the cam shafts. They all met the tolerances. I have a thread created for this step even.
• Completely lubricated valve springs, tappets, cam shafts, and the insides of the cam journals. Used regular motor oil to do so.
• Used anaerobic sealant on valve cover. Applied a very thin amount, and was very careful not to get any on the cams. Even took a sponge to all the edges to make sure. So, really don't want to take the valve cover off again...
• While getting the valve cover down, I used the typical criss cross pattern to do so. I made small turns to each bolt. Took forever. I did however over tighten some of the slightly. I took my torque wrench and adjusted all of them to 13ft/lbs. I'll have to find where I found that out. Was suggested by a "volvo specialist" on some other forums though.

What do you think could be causing this? All parts checked out just fine, so part failure shouldn't be the answer.

 

Minor solution to problem was to go ahead and setup the timing belt, loosen the valve cover bolts to about 3/4 total torque, then spin the crankshaft a few revolutions. Seems to be lubricating after spinning. The oil may of gotten squeezed out after over tightening. Also saw a guide that used some grease to lubricate around the sections that hold the cams down. May be a better idea for the next time. I feel like bearings would be better here, but I'm sure there's a reason there's not.

Sorry to waste anybodys time for my benefit. Welcome to delete this thread unless it may be any valuable to somebody else.

 

Were you trying to turn them with the belt off? It's an interference engine you know..

 

yep, the valves will bump the pistons if you just spin the cams with the timing belt off.

 

With the crankshaft timing mark aligned the pistons are all down in their bores far enough not to touch the valves. If not aligned then all bets are off.

 

Did you remove the cam journal caps and if so did you mark them and reinstall them in the same locations and orientation? If not, that's the cause of the problem.

Also, if the engine overheated the cylinder head may be warped causing the cams to bind.