S40 T4, engine knock HELP!

Pete M · Aug 18, 2003

after getting my hands on a remarkably cheap S40 T4, I discovered why it
was so cheap. Now I could do with the help and assistance of your monumental
knowledge of all things Volvo..

at tickover it's lovely and quiet, under light load it's lovely and quiet,
at about 3000 rpm if you 'blip' the throttle, it's got a rattle that sounds
lighter than a big end, but heavier than a tappet. Drives perfectly (apart
from a suspension rattle, anti roll bar bushes?)

I took it to the local Volvo main agent and asked the service manager to
have a listen

His first words were "Oh bollocks, we had one like this about 6 months ago,
we stripped the engine, measured and inspected everything and couldn't find
it, ended up putting a new engine in, cost £3000, I'm still trying to pay
for it".

These are not the words I wanted to hear, something along the lines of "No
problem, just needs [1]. will cost £50" would have been much better news.

So, now my local Volvo dealer has washed his hands of it, anyone got any
suggestions? [2]

[1] this is where you can help, hopefully
[2] apart from sell the bloody thing

Pete M · Aug 19, 2003

Tim.. waffled on in a quite bewildering manner to produce...

"Pete M" <[email protected]>
wrote in message

after getting my hands on a remarkably cheap S40 T4, I discovered
why it was so cheap. Now I could do with the help and assistance of
your monumental knowledge of all things Volvo..

at tickover it's lovely and quiet, under light load it's lovely and
quiet, at about 3000 rpm if you 'blip' the throttle, it's got a
rattle that sounds lighter than a big end, but heavier than a
tappet. Drives perfectly (apart from a suspension rattle, anti roll
bar bushes?)

I took it to the local Volvo main agent and asked the service
manager to have a listen

His first words were "Oh bollocks, we had one like this about 6
months ago, we stripped the engine, measured and inspected
everything and couldn't find it, ended up putting a new engine in,
cost £3000, I'm still trying to pay for it".

These are not the words I wanted to hear, something along the lines
of "No problem, just needs [1]. will cost £50" would have been much
better news.

So, now my local Volvo dealer has washed his hands of it, anyone got
any suggestions? [2]

Click to expand...

Small end bearing? or piston skirt broken?? Might be worth having the
sump off and inspecting the bigs and mains- also see if there is
anything in the bottom of the sump..?

How is it under load? Does the noise dissappear when on overrun above
/ below 3000rpm??

doesn't seem to happen under load, just at 3-3500 RPM. Think I've managed to
find a reasonable way around the problem. Found another engine (50000 mile
guaranteed, arse ended car) which will be supplied and fitted for £800. So
I'm gonna strip the original engine down to it's bare bones and then I'll
know. So there'll be a nicely reconditioned S40 T4 motor for sale in a
couple of months.

Seems like a mad way to do it, but the car is needed for a LOT of mileage,
and having it out of commission while I trace a rattle just isn't an option.

Ta anyway