I recently bought a second hand 1997 Volvo V400. . It wa fine for the first 6 months but now suddenly it seems to have developed a few problems.

It now judders really badly at around 2000 revs, no matter what gear I'm in. It seems to stop if I accelerate or go down a gear, but I can't drive everywhere at full speed in 4 gear!

The revs also seem to be getting a bit higher too if this has anything to do with it.

Then I noticed the dipstick is full of a creamy mixture. I can see the oil right at the bottom of the stick under the goo, but there is a heck of a lot of creamy gunk coming out. What is this & should I be really worried? I have a feeling it's water getting into the oil?

Are these problems related?

Any help would be appreciated - thanks!

 

I've had this problem with the dip stick. Still haven't got to the bottom of the problem, but look on this post(Cream on dipstick).
Not sure on the Judder, but you'll have to narrow it down to fuel, electric or mechanical.
Cheers
NB

 

Cream is defo water/oil mixture!! Has the coolant gone down? any white smoke from the exhaust? If not flush out the oil with a good engine flush and cheap oil, two or three times then fill with good oil and run normally see if the creamyness comes back. Could take more severe cleaning to get rid of the creamy goo tho'. by this i mean engine strip an manual cleaning with cloths and pipe cleaners.

But generally its collant getting into the oil.

 

Welcome to the forum HackersOns, NevilleBartos and Condyboy.


Unless you only take real short trips (this will build up condensation in the crank because it never warms up to boil it off), It is Most likely a blown head gasket.
If so, don't drive it any more, as you will damage the engine, if you haven't already, I judder to think. Sorry

 

If it is a destroyed head gasket you will experience a great amount of white 'smoke' issuing forth from the tail pipe! The short trips that do not allow the oil to heat up is a common cause of condensation in the crank case.............especiallly when the weather is cool.

r.