Return of the engine noise part 1

harleyvolvo · Post by **harleyvolvo** » 25 Sep 2012, 09:04

OK ALL!!!!! This engine noise has gotten on my last nerve!!! I can't figure out where it is coming from, so the noise is getting worse!!!! So I still have the click click Click Noise now I have the rattle rattle rattle noise to go along with it. The noise use to come and go, but now it is an everyday thing!!!

Here is the Noise Part One (the Click Click noise):

Noise Part 2 (The Rattle Rattle Noise):

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 25 Sep 2012, 09:15

Sounds like a collapsed lifter to me...is your oil clean (an have you kept it and the filter changed regularly)? Is your oil level up to the mark? Use about a 3 foot long piece of wood broomstick (cut the broom off, genius...the neighbors are watching!) from your ear to the head, right along the edge...it may be distinctly louder at the bad lifter.

If it were mine, and I know my oil is clean and topped up, I'd try a can of BG Oil additive (forget which one, but your shop will have their literature). Can't buy it in the stores, only through garages, its either $15.00 or $30.00 a can...you add it, then just drive as normal...if it works, it may take a while (500 miles or so). Its not magic, it cleans an conditions. I would not add it to old oil, do a oil and filter change as you add it. Some may recommend SeaFoam, which I have used with phenomenal results on a couple really old cars that had been sitting for a long time. Its also good stuff, easier to find, and less expensive.

Also, I would do the oil change to a high-grade thin oil, like 0-10W, just for that 500 miles, or until the noise quits. Then, drain and refill with your normal (which is what? What viscosity?) and your filter.

If this works, and it just might, it means you engine is dirty inside, and may also be forming gunk. Its imperative that you keep your oil and filter changed with quality stuff.

If the BG doesn't do it, you may have bad lifter, which means pulling the upper cam cover, and gets pretty darn involved, from removing the timing belt all the way back to the cam position Sensor, the distributor, camshaft, etc.

Just my guess and opinion.

harleyvolvo · Post by **harleyvolvo** » 25 Sep 2012, 09:31

Sounds good....but this has been going on for over a year....I have been changing the oil religiously, and I do the engine treatments. When I change the oil I don't see any metal shavings and the oil looks like it normally does when I change it. Originally it started as the Click Click....Now I have a Rattle that goes with the Click Click. I use the Synthetic High Mileage Oil and I use a Volvo Oil Filter 10w-40 Oil.

Post by **phils94850** » 25 Sep 2012, 09:55

Def sounds like a collapsed lifter, an old mechanic trick is to pour a quart of trans fluid in the oil and let it run thru for about 50 miles, then change your oil. Trans fluid is very detergent and will clean out any contaminents clogging up the lifter.

harleyvolvo · Post by **harleyvolvo** » 25 Sep 2012, 10:44

Phils94850 and byeboy...if it is a bad lifter and the noise has been going on for 1.5 years shouldn't I just fix the lifter? I have tried the other option...like using different oil and some type of engine cleaner.

Post by **phils94850** » 25 Sep 2012, 18:03

harley, yeah you can go that route, these 5cyl engines arent the easiet to work on if your not experienced in doing it. Its def not like a old chevy 350

. If you have the know how then go for it, fixing would def be the best route.. honestly ive never dove into one that far, id either tolerate it or try the trans fluid, but, its up to your skill level.

harleyvolvo · Post by **harleyvolvo** » 26 Sep 2012, 05:01

Tru....my dad is a mechanic and all he buys is volvos....I'd rather fix it....so is that where the click click noise coming from as well? That is the most annoying.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 26 Sep 2012, 13:45

I had the same problem and did the lifters. After I put it back together, I still had the noise. I figured it was the oil pan seals, which can cause noise. Turns out that one of the piston heads shattered and tossed a lot of scrap in my pan but was still working. I wound up replacing the piston before doing the pan seals. A buddy who helped me thinks it was the piston that caused the noise but I'm not so sure about it (a compression test came back with good numbers, damage was below the rings and the walls were not scarred at all). Put it all back together and it's nice and quiet.

It could also be a broken valve spring? Your noise is a little different tone than what I had so it may be a different broken part.

If you're going to dig in this deep, might want to think about doing the valve stem seals. AND if you're in this deep, don't forget your cam seals. And the serp belt & pullies. And the timing belt & tensioner. And the water pump. I could go on . . .

harleyvolvo · Post by **harleyvolvo** » 26 Sep 2012, 14:29

@Vjaneczko.....So basically redo the engine!!!! LOL!!!! Just kidding, but that sounds about right as well....I might just have to put my car out of commission until I get this fixed. How long did you ride around with this issue? I have been driving around like this for 1.5 years and my car hasn't broke down or nothing...and like I said the noise comes and goes....did your issue do the same?

Post by **vjaneczko** » 26 Sep 2012, 15:23

One night I was in a giddy mood with my kids and it seemed like I was kinda street racing with an F250. Suddenly my daughter jokingly says; “Race him for pinks!” and I sorta did. Good times. Until I got home, turned off the radio and heard the tapa-tapa-tapa. I drove around for maybe a month or so with it and just happened to find an S60R for sale (I was looking for about half a year), so the 850 sat for a few months before I got in there to fix it – to give to the child that caused the problem in the first place

If the noise comes and goes, it could be the lifters. There’s a pin-sized hole on its side that is for oil – you’ll see little grooves in the head for the oil to flow to this hole – and they may be out of oil as its getting squeezed out when the cam slaps ‘em down, and it doesn’t have enough suction to pull oil back in as it should. Is it also possible that you have some sludge floating around and causing blockage for some of the oil paths? Maybe.

If the problem is the lifters or the oil pan gaskets, you can pretty much drive it As-Is without any serious damage – the lifters are already shot and the cams should be able to deal with ‘the slap’ but I’d get to the repair sooner than later, of course. If it’s the oil seals, that means it’s sucking in air and causing the oil to bubble. It may not have a serious affect, but in the back of my mind I think it may cause the oil to sludge-up faster than normal.