1997 850 GLT loud clicking/ knocking at start up

holmie_da_clown · Post by **holmie_da_clown** » 05 Mar 2014, 18:45

Hi new to the forum. I have a 97 850 GLT (low pressure turbo) wagon. The engine recently started making a loud clicking/ knocking noise. It started right after I changed the oil for the first time since I had it. Previous owner said he ran synthetic, so I put Mobil 1 syn oil in. It started making the noise maybe 100 miles after the change. The odd part is the noise isn't consistent, it is the loudest at start up and when cold, and after the engine is at about running temp it almost stops clicking/ knocking all together. The car doesn't drive any different either. I've taken it to a couple different mechanics and both said they would have to open up the engine to find out whats wrong, they couldn't even speculate as to what it is. I don't have a lot of money so I don't want to jump into anything yet. I attached a link of a video. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas of what could be wrong? Thank you for any help!

Link to video of noise:

holmie_da_clown · Post by **holmie_da_clown** » 05 Mar 2014, 18:50

Forgot to say it has about 185,000 miles on it.

Post by **erikv11** » 05 Mar 2014, 20:12

Almost for sure the problem is the o-rings on the oil pickup tube, located inside the oil pan, are worn out. It is a very common failure on these cars. Does the noise sound like it comes from the top of the engine?

Be sure to buy the o-rings from Volvo. The oil pan needs to be dropped and it is not a simple job, but many people have done it in their driveways. If you're going to a shop for this then I would not take the car to just any mechanic, you really want to take it to someone who knows Volvos. Any shop with any experience at all with these cars, should have speculated that it is the oil pan o-rings.

holmie_da_clown · Post by **holmie_da_clown** » 05 Mar 2014, 20:32

The sound seems to be coming from the back of the engine more so than the front, as far as top or bottom goes I'd have to say it sounds like it's coming from the bottom more than the top. But without actually pin pointing the noise it's hard to say.

One of the two mechanics I had listen to it worked at a euro car shop but it seemed like he didn't see many Volvos at his shop. There is a good shop for Volvos in town but they're expensive, I paid just over $700 to have the heater core replaced.

Would my low oil pressure light come on from this? It has not. I've read that sometimes occurs with this problem.

Post by **erikv11** » 05 Mar 2014, 20:59

The oil pressure light may or may not come on with the o-rings problem. Sometimes it just flickers at startup, sometimes it doesn't even show.

But if it is coming from the bottom then that argues against the oil pickup tube o-rings problem. That causes clattering noise up top. So I am less confident about it now.

It could be clogged oil passages inside the engine, which is not so good. I wonder if the previous owner was running some kind of miracle-in-a-can oil additive, so that when you changed the oil, the sound immediately showed up again. Or it could be damage to the engine.

$700 for a heater ore is highway robbery, you have my sympathy there. These cars will squeeze your wallet dry pretty quickly if you don't do much DIY.

Post by **rspi** » 05 Mar 2014, 21:35

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I believe the sound you hear is likely the lifters ticking. The owners manual says that it is an acceptable sound for the first few minutes of the car running. My question is... what type of oil filter did you install? Was it a OEM Volvo filter or Mann? If not, I would suggest you get one within the next few days and swap it out. Not need to drain the oil, just replace the filter and top off the level. Prime the filter with oil first.
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 01.htm#4:5

Does it sound like this one?

Sad to hear that you were taken to the cleaners on that heater core. You say that you don't have much money but paying $700 to have the heater core done sound like you have money to burn. That is a $39 part and a 40 minute job. Please don't go back there anymore. Come here with questions first. Then learn how to work on the car yourself. If you don't think you are willing or able to work on the car yourself, sell it ASAP. Oh, send my $100 for that heater core job just to keep your cost on even numbers. I'll pm you my address. (Just kidding about the $100).

What weight oil did you install? Where are you located? If your lifters don't stop ticking and you decide to fix it yourself, let us know so we can send you some good instructions.

Post by **erikv11** » 06 Mar 2014, 00:25

Robert, that's some horrible lifter noise in the video, I have never heard anything like that from my Volvos. Did you fix that car? What did you have to do?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 06 Mar 2014, 04:42

holmie_da_clown wrote:
Previous owner said he ran synthetic, so I put Mobil 1 syn oil in. It started making the noise maybe 100 miles after the change.

Link to video of noise:

What weight are you using? How dirty was the old oil? Synthetic is high in detergent and too thin sometimes for a higher mileage Volvo. Can you also be sure it was Synthetic that the previous owner used?

What is the best oil for my car?
http://www.fcpeuro.com/page/what-is-the ... for-my-car

Use one of these below and the noise should go away or be significantly reduce beside running stronger.

1) Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil, 1 gal.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/14958681?wmls ... 90&veh=sem

2) Swepco 306 Engine Oil (15W-40 or 5W-30 for extreme cold conditions). I am currently using Swepco 308 5W-40 CJ-4 but no one on-line sells it. I buy direct but 1 case or 24 Qts at a time from the Local Rep.
http://www.paragon-products.com/Swepco- ... /sw306.htm

Another quick way to check for viscosity issues is to drain and then add a court of say 20W-50 and if the tick lessons or goes away get rid of the Synthetic. This Forum Member in the link had viscosity issues play havoc with his car.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=59045

Blessings,

BKM
_

Post by **MoVolvos** » 06 Mar 2014, 04:49

_

Great looking car by the way "holmie". I use to have a red 83 VW GTI with the Gold BBS RA 192. Always thought the Volvo wagons in red would be great with those rim especially with polished lips.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bbs+ra+ ... B800%3B600

Blessings,

BKM
_

Post by **rmmagow** » 06 Mar 2014, 07:42

What's the chances that what is being heard is the oil thermostat thing? I don't know if my car does it but I do know the engine is a little clattery at first start below say 5 to 10 degrees. Once the temp gauge budges even just a tiny bit it quiets down to I-think-it-stalled levels.