need help! is this engine noise normal on a 850 T5?

[luancleb]

Hey guys, I'm from Brazil and we don't have a really strong Volvo community around. I'm searching for a 850 in good conditions around here (which is kinda hard, maintenance isn't cheap for imports here, so most of them are kinda roughed up). I've stumbled across an immaculate blue 850 T5 automatic sedan with 100k miles - however, the car is about 1200km away from where I live and I didn't want to waste my time going there for nothing.

I've asked the seller for a video with the engine idling. I can hear kinda of a tapping noise (valve clearance adjustment needed, maybe?), but since I don't have any experience with inline 5's, I really don't know if the sound produced by that engine is actually normal. By the way, the car is 100% stock.

Could you guys please check the video out? I know is kinda hard to make assumptions based on the audio, but it would help me a lot having an expert's opinion
(p.s.: sorry for any english errors - not my native tongue)

you can hear it on the link below: (I've posted it on imgur, since I can't upload it directly here)
https://imgur.com/a/fEiMfs9

Cheers!

[bmdubya1198]

That sounds like the normal lifter tick through the video. That will normally clear up after running it for a little bit, it's usually only pronounced on cold starts. The car might have been sitting without being run for a while, so that could cause the tick.
The valves are self-adjusting using hydraulic lifters, so no need for adjustment. Usually a heavier oil will help reduce the noise.

[scot850]

They can get noisy as they get older. As bmdubya says, sometimes a higher engine mileage oil or heavier viscosity will quieten them down. The other thing that can help is to have the oil pan 'o' rings replaced if they have not already been done. They harden with age and reduce the oil pressure to the top of the engine.

Finally, check what oil filter is used. Volvo/Mann are preferred as they have a non-return valve in them which reduces the time for oil to get to the head and valves.

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

Yes, absolutely always use Mann or Mahle (or genuine Volvo, which are made by Mann) oil filters. I used a cheaper Bosch one (from AutoZone) that didn't have the non-return valve on my '98, and my lifters were very noisy on startup.

[misha]

Bosch should have a non-return valve.
I have a part# if you want it.

When Mann isn't available i use Bosch or Knecht instead.
They all match cross reference with Mann W917.

[bmdubya1198]

It was the basic Bosch filter from AutoZone. It was Bosch's lower quality offering.