1990 240 engine noise resolution

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim McNamara
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Tim McNamara

So it took three mechanics to fix the clacking noise in my 240.

The first- my usual mechanic who has worked on my cars for at least 10
years- said he took the drive belts off and isolated the noise to the
engine. Charged me $50 in labor. Said it was probably a "lifter" noise.

The second spent probably 1 1/2 hours doing a thorough inspection,
resulting in a 3 page memo of various things wrong with the car...
everything but what was making the noise. Charged me $0.

The third mechanic found that the air conditioner compressor had lost a
nut off one of the adjustment bolts, causing the pulley to be a little
cockeyed and resulting in a chunk of separating drive belt. You'd think
that the first guy who said he took the drive belts off would have
noticed that. Replaced it, voila, no more noise. What's Swedish for
"voila?" He also replaced hardened leaking seals that *should* have
been replaced when I had the timing belt replaced 40,000 miles ago, so
now my oil leaks should be history.

Runs like a top with no weird noises. Aaahhh, I have my 240 back. W00t!

It seems to me I need to continue using the third mechanic (Gorshe Auto
Service in Minneapolis... lot and shop full of old and new Volvos).

Next up, tie rod ends, a control arm bushing or two, and the first new
fuel filter in years. And I've got to figure out why there's no high
beams or indicator light and why the headlights go out when I flip on
the high beams. Tomorrow's project, weather permitting.

One instructive thing about the whole exercise was looking into a lot of
replacement car options only to find that what I want is a 240. LOL!
 
Tim said:
So it took three mechanics to fix the clacking noise in my 240.

The first- my usual mechanic who has worked on my cars for at least 10
years- said he took the drive belts off and isolated the noise to the
engine. Charged me $50 in labor. Said it was probably a "lifter" noise.

The second spent probably 1 1/2 hours doing a thorough inspection,
resulting in a 3 page memo of various things wrong with the car...
everything but what was making the noise. Charged me $0.

The third mechanic found that the air conditioner compressor had lost a
nut off one of the adjustment bolts, causing the pulley to be a little
cockeyed and resulting in a chunk of separating drive belt. You'd think
that the first guy who said he took the drive belts off would have
noticed that. Replaced it, voila, no more noise. What's Swedish for
"voila?" He also replaced hardened leaking seals that *should* have
been replaced when I had the timing belt replaced 40,000 miles ago, so
now my oil leaks should be history.

Runs like a top with no weird noises. Aaahhh, I have my 240 back. W00t!

It seems to me I need to continue using the third mechanic (Gorshe Auto
Service in Minneapolis... lot and shop full of old and new Volvos).

Next up, tie rod ends, a control arm bushing or two, and the first new
fuel filter in years. And I've got to figure out why there's no high
beams or indicator light and why the headlights go out when I flip on
the high beams. Tomorrow's project, weather permitting.

One instructive thing about the whole exercise was looking into a lot of
replacement car options only to find that what I want is a 240. LOL!
Click to expand...



Nice! Glad to hear this worked out well for you.

I've heard old pilots and aircraft enthusiasts say that while many have
tried to build a better mousetrap, the only replacement for a DC-3 is
another DC-3, and it occurred to me that the 240 is to cars what the
DC-3 is to airplanes. Newer designs have appeared throughout the years
since it was produced that offer improvements in nearly every individual
aspect, yet few if any manage to pull off that perfect compromise of
engineering excellence that created the rugged, versatile, and iconic
240. Nearly two decades after the last one rolled off the line in
Sweden, tens of thousands of 240s are still rolling.
 
Nice! Glad to hear this worked out well for you.

I've heard old pilots and aircraft enthusiasts say that while many have
tried to build a better mousetrap, the only replacement for a DC-3 is
another DC-3, and it occurred to me that the 240 is to cars what the
DC-3 is to airplanes. Newer designs have appeared throughout the years
since it was produced that offer improvements in nearly every individual
aspect, yet few if any manage to pull off that perfect compromise of
engineering excellence that created the rugged, versatile, and iconic
240. Nearly two decades after the last one rolled off the line in
Sweden, tens of thousands of 240s are still rolling.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

have you noticed how many 240s are in tv shows and movies?
 
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