Practically Classics Forum

Thanks TG & LB.

BTW, mileage according to the computer is fluctuating 28.2 - 28.5 on running about happy with that and I no longer 'blame' a knackered pooter..... More ignorance on my behalf by not simply pressing the reset....

Righto, job done:thumbs_up:



Knocking was very feint this morning, flush done, filter renewed again, Wynns additive & the Elf 10w/40.

Fingers crossed!

Well, general opinion is that the knocking has 'all but gone'. Still get a slight knock for a few seconds. By the time I've driven to and through the gates, say 40 metres or so its gone. I'll live with that for now.
A chap on the Volvo forum had a similar issue on a 10v. He dropped the sump and renewed the seals inside it. This gives a 'better lift' of the oil from cold as the old seals can 'let by' as they perish.
So, this maybe one for my list.......... that said at the next oil change I already have an oil seal 'conditioner' from Wynns. I think it is supposed to make the seals swell to provide a better 'seal'. I shall give that a go before going down the messy route........

Be very wary of these oil seal "conditioner" products!

In an effort to reduce the dribbling from the Dolomite's oil pressure relief valve O ring seal, I used Halfords green 20w50 oil, which contains the glycerine mix that softens the seals and is, in effect, a pre-mixed can of sh*te quality oil and seal conditioner. It did stop the dribble from the oil pump area for a while but more than that; it softened a previously healthy seal on the rear of the crank and that meant removing the flex plate, converter and transmission in order to fit the new one so unless you're very sure that the rest of the lip and ring seals in your engine are pretty much factory fresh and will survive the treatment, forget any of the products - standalone or in oil - that soften oil seals.

After I'd cured that leak on the Triumph, I flushed the engine and refilled with fresh, modern 10w40, adding only a ZDDP product to make up for the shortfall in the amount contained in the new oil.
When the next service was carried out, it hadn't lost a single drop and a written complaint to Comma, who make that green crap, elicited in reply only the comment that their product wasn't intended to be used in healthy engines of as modern a design as the Saab/Triumph 45 degree IL4 and that they were accepting no responsibility, in spite of my providing a report from the tribology lab at work to show that their product was at fault.

Change any oil seals that you're not sure about and do not, under any conditions, use something that effectively dissolves seals as it is at best a short term bodge. Your engine will thank you in the long term.

Why rebuild an engine when you can use this:
http://www.enginerestore.co.uk/what-is-restore-3-w.asp
Quentin Willson says it is OK and he is a really trustworthy character

TerryG wrote:....Quentin Willson says it is OK and he is an easily punchable character

Just fixed that for you Terry.

I have a Volvo V70 2.4 with 140k on it makes a very similar noise for first 30 seconds of sart up but ine after so ntrestd to se how you geon as I need o do an oil change too.

Thanks for the comments, I think replacing the sump oil seals will be the best thing to do long term. The 'knock' is well reduced as previously mentioned. Liveable with!
Towed my caravan 120 or so miles each way last weekend and today had to go to Nantes and back TWO times! Say 50 miles each way. Zeb just munched all those miles 'burbling' all the way, pushing 184k now too.

Well, I am sat out in the sun with a glass of red, contemplating the next 'work' to do/have done on 'Zeb'.

The 'knock' is greatly reduced down to, say 4-10 seconds after start up . That said, since last posting the knock had returned with a vengeance and as I had it (rightly or wrongly) I poured in the so called 'seal comditioner' . Which appears to have greatly reduced the noise.......

It is still niggling at me though, so I have ordered the sump seals from FRF Volvo and some sealant for the sump from GSF. Got spare Volvo filters already.

Have seen the 'how to' on matthewsvolvosite, which does look a little daunting from my view point.

Also have developed a juddering on braking at high speed, can be felt right through the car. Brakes are as new all round, so thinking maybe a bush or two is at fault here.... Not sure.

Anyhow, Chris 'my mobile mec' is dropping by during the week to do some diagnosing.... Will have a chat with him about the seals & may just come to an agreement on price where he does the work with me as general dogsbody and teaboy!

Have also just started to bring the body back to nice and shiny, using a cut agent, then polish followed by Collinite 476 wax. Only done bonnet and wings so far but am chuffed with how well Zeb is 'coming up'.

Hoping to get all the work done soon as Zeb has to tow the caravan to Kent again later in the month......

Zeb is making me 'work' this year. Swmbo returned home the other day, pulled into the drive went to engage reverse, but he wasn't having it! I tried and it did engage all be it much more difficult than it should be........ Add to that the vibration on braking previously mentioed .
Well Chris the mobile mec dropped by and reckons the brakes is a front one but nothing serious yet. Suggested a rolling road test to be sure though.
Gear issue, he reckons is down to the gear oil being low. Reckons it sounds noisier than it should when he test drove. He is coming back nex Wednesday to drain and refill it.