94 960 24valve Top end rattle

[father ted]

I have recently changed oil /filter on my 960 with 113000 on the clock and since then i have been experiencing an initial rattle on starting. It sounds distinctly top end and lasts for a second or two.There is no smoke or leaks of any kind and doesn't have any effect on performance and sounds as sweet as a nut under load and at speed.I used a 20/40 oil with the appropiate filter and noticed that the old oil was somewhat on the thick gooie side making me think the previuos owner had used a oil additive.
If an oil additive is required what would suit Volvo best. Any help out there.
THANKS.

[VCA]

I have recently changed oil /filter on my 960 with 113000 on the clock and since then i have been experiencing an initial rattle on starting. It sounds distinctly top end and lasts for a second or two.There is no smoke or leaks of any kind and doesn't have any effect on performance and sounds as sweet as a nut under load and at speed.I used a 20/40 oil with the appropiate filter and noticed that the old oil was somewhat on the thick gooie side making me think the previuos owner had used a oil additive.
If an oil additive is required what would suit Volvo best. Any help out there.
THANKS.

Is it a rattle or more of a ticking sound? The B6304F has hydraulic lifters and some ticking upon initial startup is normal until the oil pressure has fully come up. I see you are in the UK -- Volvo recommends 10W/30 for most driving conditions, 15W/40 for hotter climates. The thicker oil viscosity at startup might explain why it ticks a bit at startup. Here in Florida, where it's nice and hot, I use 15W/40 on mother's 960 and still get about a second or two of ticking upon startup.

If it's truly a rattle, perhaps Bill has an idea or two...

[father ted]

Thanks for your input my friend.Its very comforting to hear its nice and hot there whilst i sit in the depths of winter!! CHEERS.

[sony2000]

Father Ted, if you find yourself needing a liter of oil, to top up your 960. I suggest you add a 5W30 oil to your 20W40, to thin it out a little. It will be like adding a little water to your wine, sort of speak.

[billofdurham]

If an oil additive is required what would suit Volvo best

This is what Volvo has to say on the subject:

Extra oil additives must not be used unless advised by an authorized Volvo retailer

I agree that your top end rattle could be the hydraulic lifters being starved of oil on first start up. I also think you have used too heavy an oil. For the temperatures we can expect over here you could have used 5/40 or 10/30. I don't care what Mr. Brown says about global warming!!

As sony2000 recommends, when you come to top it up use a thinner oil. They will mix quite happily.

If you do want to use an additive I think one of the best is Molyslip. I used it in the engine of a 1947 Triumph Renown when one of the big ends started to rumble. We covered another 2000 miles, completely rumble free, before we stripped it down.

Bill.

Bill.

[father ted]

Thanks for all replys. It never fails to amaze me the amount of knowledge and experience out there and the willingness to pass it on. May your Volvo's run for ever.