88 240 dl oil change

buddythedog · Post by **buddythedog** » 23 Feb 2009, 22:45

I just purchased a well maintained 88 240 dl. It has 210,000 on it, and the compression is good, no leaks, it runs and idles very well. I cleaned the throttle body and seafoamed the intake much to the delight of my neighbors but no more pinging on acceleration. Used some seafoam in the crankcase. It's now time to change her oil. The manual says 15w-40. I live in Mississippi where the winters are mild. Dare I use 20w-50? or just stick with what works best. The previous owner used 5w-30. Oh and I have the erratic temp gauge at night. I chased this ghost to the tune of a new water pump, t stat, radiator, hoses until...thanks for this forum...the temp wire thing for 15 bucks for the compensation board!!! Yea guys... thank you so much. I thought it was a clogged head.

Oh. last ? change the autolite plugs? or just leave em in? they are clean and look ok

Post by **billofdurham** » 24 Feb 2009, 11:46

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Weight of oil is usually a matter of preference. Volvo do recommend no heavier than 15w/40 which would cover the temperature range 10F to more than 104F. 20w/50 would cover the temperature range 20F to goodness knows what. I would be tempted to stick with the Volvo recommendation unless your summer temperatures are excessively high.

Yea guys... thank you so much

Good to know that we have helped.

If the car is running well on those plugs check the gaps (0.30") and leave them in.

Bill.

buddythedog · Post by **buddythedog** » 24 Feb 2009, 23:36

i will check the plugs, they were clean but my 4 year old son converted my gapping tool to some kind of toy...so it will need replacing HA HA ... but that said, I went with 10 40 as i could not find any 15 40 at 2 different stores. it actually does still ping on acceleration but not too bad. where EXACTLY should i run seafoam in? there is a vacuum line from the front of the engine going from some metal round thing that goes into the intake near the throttle body ...that's what I used. Also... ever need to replace the rear diff fluid? the tranny fluid is clean and smells ok, so i am leery of having that done. and lastly, how hard is it really to fix that pesky temp jumper wire that people use to correct the temp... on the compensation board

Post by **billofdurham** » 25 Feb 2009, 12:20

but my 4 year old son converted my gapping tool to some kind of toy..

My 6 year old grandson is an expert at converting all sorts of things into toys so you may have two more years before your son reaches 'expert' status.

The ping could be the knock sensor, left side of the block under the intake manifold, check the wiring. Also check the ignition timing.

Transmission fluid should be changed every 20,000 miles (32,000 kms) on this model.

Diff fluid should be checked and topped up if necessary. No change is advised.

Where did you buy the temp jumper? IPD supply instructions with theirs.

I have avoided the Seafoam question as it is something I have never used nor ever intend to use. Hopefully someone will come in with a reply to this.

Bill.