960 Why oh why an interference engine!

CliffHeaton · May 15th, 2012, 21:47

For the sake of a few millmetres valve to piston clearance my 960 is now a scrapper after one of the pulley bearings snapped off. I took the head off today and sure enough the valves are scuppered Does anyone know why a manufacturer builds destruction into a perfectly good engine?

LankyTim · May 15th, 2012, 22:17

Can't you put a secondhand head on it?

CliffHeaton · May 15th, 2012, 23:18

I could, but it has other problems like a complete exhaust system, which I was going to do this year, New wheel bearings, and some other bits to get through mot. All in all with the head and timing repairs as well it isn't financially feasible.

CTCNetwork · May 15th, 2012, 23:39

Hi,

You'd probably be able to pick up an engine for a few hundred. They essentially just drop in!

Des. . .

CliffHeaton · May 16th, 2012, 00:04

It's been a good friend, but you have to know when to switch off the life support,^^^^^--------------------------------------

foggyjames · May 16th, 2012, 00:31

Good luck finding a non-interference engine in the past 20 years...

cheers

James

StanC · May 17th, 2012, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffHeaton

For the sake of a few millmetres valve to piston clearance my 960 is now a scrapper after one of the pulley bearings snapped off. I took the head off today and sure enough the valves are scuppered Does anyone know why a manufacturer builds destruction into a perfectly good engine?

Cliff - sorry to hear about your misfortune. But, incidentally, what mileage/age were the old pulley/timing belt assembly that failed?

Knowing how critical they are to the survival of an engine, I've always tended to replace my timing belt and pulleys at about half the mileage/age recommended by Volvo, which for my 1996 960 is 80,000miles/8 years. I therefore do them at more like 40,000miles/4years. But I still sometimes wonder if even this is not often enough, which is why I'd be interested to know how worn/old your failed pulley was.

smithy · May 18th, 2012, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffHeaton

For the sake of a few millmetres valve to piston clearance my 960 is now a scrapper after one of the pulley bearings snapped off. I took the head off today and sure enough the valves are scuppered Does anyone know why a manufacturer builds destruction into a perfectly good engine?

What year is your car mate if it is an early 1992 to 1993 can I have the front anti roll bar off it . It has to be the rear wheel solid axle type that uses the 24 mm front bar

CliffHeaton · May 18th, 2012, 09:49

Hi Stan, 230,000. but was running great. I had to get the AA out a few months ago when a heater pipe came off and I had no tools with me. The AA guy was impressed with how sweet the engine was. The belt was 20k old and I was going to replace it this year. The belt was fine, I didnt replace any other parts when I did the timing belt about 3 years ago, but everything seemed ok. It was an idler pulley that snapped from it's mounting plate, that did the damage.
Smithy it is 96

StanC · May 18th, 2012, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffHeaton

Hi Stan, 230,000. but was running great. I had to get the AA out a few months ago when a heater pipe came off and I had no tools with me. The AA guy was impressed with how sweet the engine was. The belt was 20k old and I was going to replace it this year. The belt was fine, I didnt replace any other parts when I did the timing belt about 3 years ago, but everything seemed ok. It was an idler pulley that snapped from it's mounting plate, that did the damage.
Smithy it is 96

Thanks, Cliff - yes, I had my first 960 3Ltr 24v in 1991 and the first few times I got the timing belt changed that was all I did - the belt alone and nothing else. But then I started getting strongly advised to always replace the tensioner and pulleys at each belt change, because these wear out almost as quickly as the belts do. Some folk also recommend getting the water pump replaced at every belt/pulley change, but I tend not to go that far - I hope that water pump bearings aren't that prone to failure!

As I said in my earlier thread, I'm quite suspicious about just how long it is safe to leave the timing belt/pulleys before changing them. Volvo say 80k/8years for my 1996 model 960, but there seem to be so many that I hear about that fail before then that I tend to halve it for peace of mind. If anyone has any other ideas on this I would be interested to hear.

Stan.

May 15th, 2012, 21:47	#1
CliffHeaton Junior Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2013 17:21 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wigan	960 Why oh why an interference engine! For the sake of a few millmetres valve to piston clearance my 960 is now a scrapper after one of the pulley bearings snapped off. I took the head off today and sure enough the valves are scuppered Does anyone know why a manufacturer builds destruction into a perfectly good engine?

May 15th, 2012, 22:17	#2
LankyTim Missing the point Last Online: May 1st, 2024 18:59 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent View Photos By: LankyTim	Can't you put a secondhand head on it? __________________ Tim 1968 Volvo 145 long term project. Currently without a Volvo daily driver.

May 15th, 2012, 23:18	#3
CliffHeaton Junior Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2013 17:21 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wigan	Not just the head I could, but it has other problems like a complete exhaust system, which I was going to do this year, New wheel bearings, and some other bits to get through mot. All in all with the head and timing repairs as well it isn't financially feasible.

May 15th, 2012, 23:39	#4
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, You'd probably be able to pick up an engine for a few hundred. They essentially just drop in! Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

May 16th, 2012, 00:04	#5
CliffHeaton Junior Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2013 17:21 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wigan	The straw that broke the Volvo's back. It's been a good friend, but you have to know when to switch off the life support,^^^^^--------------------------------------

May 16th, 2012, 00:31	#6
foggyjames 300 Register Keeper Last Online: May 24th, 2024 15:08 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nottingham	Good luck finding a non-interference engine in the past 20 years... cheers James __________________ VOC 300-series Register Keeper '13 V70 D4 SE Lux '89 740 Turbo Intercooler '88 360 Turbo Intercooler '84 360 GLT '81 343 GLS R-Sport '79 343 DL '70 164

May 18th, 2012, 09:49	#9
CliffHeaton Junior Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2013 17:21 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wigan	Hi Stan, 230,000. but was running great. I had to get the AA out a few months ago when a heater pipe came off and I had no tools with me. The AA guy was impressed with how sweet the engine was. The belt was 20k old and I was going to replace it this year. The belt was fine, I didnt replace any other parts when I did the timing belt about 3 years ago, but everything seemed ok. It was an idler pulley that snapped from it's mounting plate, that did the damage. Smithy it is 96

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