Tell me what you think...Pics Volvo
- Thread starter iunderpressure
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Ahh, that is what a "red block" volvo is....
That looks a little worse than a friend's NA V70 @ 120K (unknown maintenance history for the first 110K), and a little worse than mine (high boost 2.3L @ 160K, good maintenance history). Thing is, when I pulled my valve cover, it was just staining--the top half was actually spotless. It's tough to get a read from fill hole pics on this particular engine. Sorry, but that's my experience.
Pull the dipstick at idle after then engine is hot and see how much smoke comes out of the dipstick tube. Lots=PCV system that needs overhauled, and could mean some sludging (maybe).
Pull the dipstick at idle after then engine is hot and see how much smoke comes out of the dipstick tube. Lots=PCV system that needs overhauled, and could mean some sludging (maybe).
Originally Posted By: Bayman
You have Varnish, your car probably does not like 10,000 mile OCI's.
How long have you been running PU 5W-30 and what other oil's have you used before PU?
The car was raised on castrol gtx 10w30 at a 5,000 mile oci for the first 185,000 miles of life. I have raised it on several rl changes including 10w30, 5w30, 0w30, and 0w20 rl. I did a couple chevron supreme changes before the last run of rl 0w20 and now the pu 5w30. I've had the pu in for probably 3500 miles.
I drive 1200 to 1500 miles a week. 206 miles a day to and from work mostly 75+ mph interstate driving.
You have Varnish, your car probably does not like 10,000 mile OCI's.
How long have you been running PU 5W-30 and what other oil's have you used before PU?
The car was raised on castrol gtx 10w30 at a 5,000 mile oci for the first 185,000 miles of life. I have raised it on several rl changes including 10w30, 5w30, 0w30, and 0w20 rl. I did a couple chevron supreme changes before the last run of rl 0w20 and now the pu 5w30. I've had the pu in for probably 3500 miles.
I drive 1200 to 1500 miles a week. 206 miles a day to and from work mostly 75+ mph interstate driving.
Originally Posted By: JOD
Pull the dipstick at idle after then engine is hot and see how much smoke comes out of the dipstick tube. Lots=PCV system that needs overhauled, and could mean some sludging (maybe).
How much is a lot? I have some but it's more like a vapor. It's not smoking rolling out by any means.
Pull the dipstick at idle after then engine is hot and see how much smoke comes out of the dipstick tube. Lots=PCV system that needs overhauled, and could mean some sludging (maybe).
How much is a lot? I have some but it's more like a vapor. It's not smoking rolling out by any means.
Reminds me of my red block BMW.
https://plus.google.com/photos/110195516514548689089/albums/5404544463076452385/5588160859540234818
https://plus.google.com/photos/110195516514548689089/albums/5404544463076452385/5588160859540234818
Great to be a kreen victim
worth a try to stay with PU and add kreen in last 1000 miles of OCI.
Originally Posted By: JOD
Well, it's probably obstructed to some extent. After doing mine, I had pretty much zero smoke. Do you know how many times or if it's been done before?
My ex-inlaws bought the car new and all maintenance was performed at the dealer and a Volvo only shop. They took good care of it. I have all the maintenance records. It shows regular flametrap maintenance. I've had that same shop check it, but they always say it's clean. They only charge something like $30-60 bucks to clean it. I've never thought that seemed right. I thought it would be a bigger job than that. It could be due again, but even after they did it last, it had the same amount of smoke as it does now. The shop does do good work uses volvo parts. They usually charge about the same or less for parts than I can get a no name part for at a local parts store.
Well, it's probably obstructed to some extent. After doing mine, I had pretty much zero smoke. Do you know how many times or if it's been done before?
My ex-inlaws bought the car new and all maintenance was performed at the dealer and a Volvo only shop. They took good care of it. I have all the maintenance records. It shows regular flametrap maintenance. I've had that same shop check it, but they always say it's clean. They only charge something like $30-60 bucks to clean it. I've never thought that seemed right. I thought it would be a bigger job than that. It could be due again, but even after they did it last, it had the same amount of smoke as it does now. The shop does do good work uses volvo parts. They usually charge about the same or less for parts than I can get a no name part for at a local parts store.
I've also thought maybe I need to use a thicker oil because of my high speed long highway miles. I've noticed i've used a little more oil with the rl 0w20 and pu 5w30. It hard to tell but maybe a qt per 3,000 miles. I've thought of M1 0w40, rl 0w40, or rl 5w30. Autozone should be close to their M1 special.
with the engine running and the dipstick out there should actually be a slight vacuum through the dipstick tube. if you hold a sheet of paper over it, it should be pulled down to the tube.
Originally Posted By: iunderpressure
It shows regular flametrap maintenance. I've had that same shop check it, but they always say it's clean. They only charge something like $30-60 bucks to clean it. I've never thought that seemed right. I thought it would be a bigger job than that.
Trust me, it is....
my guess is that the flame trap maintenance consists of running something through a vacuum line. It does kinda work, but really even with the excellent maintenance your car has had, by 200K you need to bite the bullet. If the smoke continued after the last vacuum cleaning, that's a good sign. Also, the hoses simply break down over time due to the heat. I'd ask that shop for a quote--if they use OEM parts, that's a big plus. Some of the aftermarket flame trap kits have been pretty cheezy. (the one I just installed from FCP Groton was actually better than the old ones I've used from them--not my car, I'd have gone OEM...). It's a half-day job for me, I'd imagine book time is 3-4 hours for someone who actually knows what he's doing...
I think will help the car burn a bit cleaner and will help consumption (which in your case, is pretty minimal). Regardless, I'd say it's time.
As far as the color, given the maintenance history, I wouldn't sweat it--it just think it's cosmetic staining, much like mine.
It shows regular flametrap maintenance. I've had that same shop check it, but they always say it's clean. They only charge something like $30-60 bucks to clean it. I've never thought that seemed right. I thought it would be a bigger job than that.
Trust me, it is....
my guess is that the flame trap maintenance consists of running something through a vacuum line. It does kinda work, but really even with the excellent maintenance your car has had, by 200K you need to bite the bullet. If the smoke continued after the last vacuum cleaning, that's a good sign. Also, the hoses simply break down over time due to the heat. I'd ask that shop for a quote--if they use OEM parts, that's a big plus. Some of the aftermarket flame trap kits have been pretty cheezy. (the one I just installed from FCP Groton was actually better than the old ones I've used from them--not my car, I'd have gone OEM...). It's a half-day job for me, I'd imagine book time is 3-4 hours for someone who actually knows what he's doing...
I think will help the car burn a bit cleaner and will help consumption (which in your case, is pretty minimal). Regardless, I'd say it's time.
As far as the color, given the maintenance history, I wouldn't sweat it--it just think it's cosmetic staining, much like mine.
In the light of day that will appear much lighter. It's really hard to tell in the white block fill hole. Mine looks stained, but when I put a really bright flashlight in the hole, it's just an oil coating.
That said the breathing/flame trap maintenance is really important.
That said the breathing/flame trap maintenance is really important.
JHZR2
Staff member
That looks pretty red, but you do a LOT of driving, so unless there is an issue inside, I cant see how it makes much of a difference.
I think youre a candidate for running PU (if it meets specs) and seeing what it looks like after a few OCIs.
I think youre a candidate for running PU (if it meets specs) and seeing what it looks like after a few OCIs.
I had a 1988 Volvo 940 and before I dealt with the flame trap, if the oil fill cap gasket was not very new, oil would come out there and drip onto exhaust manifold and in a few cases cause a small flame that I had to blow out.
Before I could deal with the flame trap the car was flooded and the insurance company forced me to sell it to them.
Before I could deal with the flame trap the car was flooded and the insurance company forced me to sell it to them.
and a flametrap is......?
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
and a flametrap is......?
Since it was mentioned with oil consumption and varnish, my guess is that it is equivalent to PCV system. And form descriptions given it looks like a needlessly complicated contraption that, until now, I thought only Germans were capable of creating
and a flametrap is......?
Since it was mentioned with oil consumption and varnish, my guess is that it is equivalent to PCV system. And form descriptions given it looks like a needlessly complicated contraption that, until now, I thought only Germans were capable of creating
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
and a flametrap is......?
Since it was mentioned with oil consumption and varnish, my guess is that it is equivalent to PCV system. And form descriptions given it looks like a needlessly complicated contraption that, until now, I thought only Germans were capable of creating
It is part of the crankcase vent system, the actual "flametrap" is an orifice that is in the intake tube, it is a plastic or compressed metal disk with holes (IIRC about an inch - inch and 1/4 in diameter).
I believe this car also has an oil separator on the block.
Edit: it sure does:
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4984/114174-pcv-breather-system-kit
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
and a flametrap is......?
Since it was mentioned with oil consumption and varnish, my guess is that it is equivalent to PCV system. And form descriptions given it looks like a needlessly complicated contraption that, until now, I thought only Germans were capable of creating
It is part of the crankcase vent system, the actual "flametrap" is an orifice that is in the intake tube, it is a plastic or compressed metal disk with holes (IIRC about an inch - inch and 1/4 in diameter).
I believe this car also has an oil separator on the block.
Edit: it sure does:
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4984/114174-pcv-breather-system-kit
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