Just purchased a 98 V70R from the original owner with extensive records. The interior is in good condition. The exterior is in good condition too.

As I drove around after my new purchase, I started noticing more of the noises here and there of a car with 157,000 miles on it. I made my list, and proceeded to make an appointment with a Volvo specialist. I was hoping for a expecting a usual list of belts, fluids, possibly brakes, etc... and possibly some light upper engine tuning.

After taking it to the mechanic and being informed that a rod is knocking, I'm not too stoked at the moment. I'm trying to figure out how much I'm hosed, and what my options are.

At this point, the knocking only occurs at ~3500 rpms, which I can generally avoid if I drive like a grandma.

The dealer that inspected the issue told me that due to the severity of the issue, it would be best to consider quickly selling the vehicle, or replacing the engine with another used unit. This then makes me think about the transmission, driveline, awd unit, etc... that appear to be OK now, but for how long? Ack!

In other news, all belts need to be done ASAP on the current engine. I feel like I'm driving a ticking money bomb. I don't want to drive like a Grandma.

What is my best direction to head in? I love this car. I'll try to post photos soon. The interior and exterior is still in very good condition, which makes me lean towards repairing the damage and moving forward.

What are my engine options? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I view this as a time to either put a REALLY slick system together under the hood, or cut my losses and move on to a new model.

Could/should I look at engine upgrades?

Cheers

 

Hey Lazy, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that have a knock. Man, how did that happen? Did you see the forum before you got the car? How long have you had it? I'd have to think the PO knew things were going south.

When was the last timing belt changed? Those belts are usually changed every 70k. I wonder why they started to let the car go, a belt 17k over due? That's sad for such a great car.

I had a bad cam bearing in a car several years ago and drove it like that for 2 years. I put Slick 50 in it and kept moving.

If other things about the car is nice, I would probably take my time and find a motor and some help changing it. You can have that done for under $1,000 if you take your time and work it. I've seen those motors for sale for $400 - $500. From what you say, you need the lower end. If that's the case you cam probably find a motor with a bad top end for $100 and save yourself some money.

 

It definitely took some wind out of my sails when I 'found out'... though I'm not 100% on what it is. I don't think the dealer I took it to yesterday would try to steer me wrong, though I'm not 100% on that either :P

Here's a link to the engine - 1998 V70R Engine - YouTube

And here is a link to the car itself, (and no, I didn't time the music on the radio like that, though it made me smile) - 1998 V70R - YouTube

 

Man that sounds like valves are tapping pistons. I wonder is timing is off a little. Do you have any codes? I wonder if it's KNOCKING? Are you running 91+ octane?

I would take it easy on it for a few weeks. Run some fuel injector cleaner in it and maybe some octane boost. It does sound like a rattle.

 

hey engine sounds fine, or the mic on your phone didn't pick-up the knocking sound. These engines are loud. They knock when cold, this is normal, it is the way the valve oiling system is in these engines. Until the engine warms up and the lifers are pumped all the way up, it is going to sound like that. Best way to hide this annoyance is to just run 20w-50 oil. It won't leak out of the lifters nearly as fast as 10w-40.

 

Huh??? Man, you need to listed to that video again.

 

If this is an OK sounding engine... I'm not sure what kind of cars you've been driving...

Here's this mornings cold start idle --> V70R Unusual engine noise - YouTube

The shop I had take a first glance at the engine heard this noise and immediately recommended the same 20w-50, and a qt of lucas... It seems to be holding things together temporarily.

 

It was hard for me to hear a clean knock as well. But if there is a clear knock at mid range the first thing I would do is drop the pan and inspect the rob bearings.
If the bearings are worn they can be replaced without taking the motor apart anymore.
I did hear the lifters being loud. I would get a decent oil change with a Volvo/Mann oil filter and take it on a nice drive and the noise should be gone for a while.

 

I heard it in that video, has a good beat going lol.

Yes, drop the pan and plasti-gauge the bearings.

 

Had the same situation with a 2000 R with 144K that got the rod knock symphony around 2,700RPM. Went round and round with all my cheaper options of oils, weights, etc, nothing helped... R motors are expensive, if you can find one.

Replacing bearings? Try finding them! And then sizing them would have been a bitch, (so I was told by the Volvo gurus). Those cars are nice but when they start acting up, you are done! At least that's the lesson I got and decided to stick with my 940... Got rid of the R, it's someone else's nightmare. Hopefully you didn't pay too much for yours...

 

I have done rod bearings many times. The rob bearings are all the same size. You should still plasti gauge to be sure. The crank shaft bearings are the ones that need special size bearings comparing the black and crank letters.
I spun 2 bearings on mine on a race track. It wiped out my crank as well. The crank was special bearings but the rods were all the same.

 

can't find bearings? you can find everything if you know where or how to look.

Main bearings on all engines are different. Location on the block (different widths) sometimes if the factory screws up the crank size you can find .020 under/over size bearings. The size and part number for bearings are stamped on the back side.