1.4 engine noisy on startup

[340man]

I recently bought my 340 GL 1.4 from a friend and he had maintained it pretty well.

He told me that the car had been a bit noisy on a cold start up, but whenever I saw the car when he had it I could not hear anything as it was warm. He is a bit deaf too, so noise did not worry him too much.

However, on first cold start up in my ownership, I was alarmed, sounded really bad to me, big ends perhaps.

One warm, the engine was quite good, no bad noises at all.

I wondered if the non return valve on the oil filter was working, replaced the filter, all OK since then.

I guess that most know about this possible problem, but thought I would post my experience. It might help someone.

[Joe Harding]

Can you post a bit more information? A fix that good must be shared!

[340man]

Originally Posted by Joe Harding

Can you post a bit more information? A fix that good must be shared!

Pleased to give any more information required, but was hoping that my post was self explanatory.

I guess that the non return valve in the oil filter that was on the car was not working properly and when standing, oil in the filter was draining back to the sump, so that when starting the filter has to fill.

The new oil filter non return valve stopped this.

It is likely that the previous "noisy starting" will have worn the bearings a little, but I hope that there is still plenty of life left in the engine.

[macplaxton]

Hi 340man,

Can you tell us the make of oil filter you removed from the car?

I always use genuine Volvo ones (and also the old ¾" UNF Volvo ones on some other makes of car where they'll fit) as they are well made and have anti-drain valves that work.

My second source would be Mann filters.

Some other brands of oil filter are just plain junk.

[340man]

Originally Posted by macplaxton

Hi 340man,

Can you tell us the make of oil filter you removed from the car?

I always use genuine Volvo ones (and also the old ¾" UNF Volvo ones on some other makes of car where they'll fit) as they are well made and have anti-drain valves that work.

My second source would be Mann filters.

Some other brands of oil filter are just plain junk.

lol, perhaps, will have a look for it.

The replacement filter came from German Swedish and French and was not expensive.

[340man]

Originally Posted by macplaxton

Hi 340man,

Can you tell us the make of oil filter you removed from the car?

I always use genuine Volvo ones (and also the old ¾" UNF Volvo ones on some other makes of car where they'll fit) as they are well made and have anti-drain valves that work.

My second source would be Mann filters.

Some other brands of oil filter are just plain junk.

I recollect putting the old filter in the new filter cardboard box, just found the box, no filter in it, now I remember throwing out the old filter so as to avoid it leaking oil out. It was a white coloured filter, black writing, name escapes me, it was stupid not to note it.

The new filter is a MANN one, part number W917/1

[macplaxton]

Halfords?

(At least it wasn't blue writing with Volvo on it!)

[340man]

Originally Posted by macplaxton

Halfords?

(At least it wasn't blue writing with Volvo on it!)

I can check with my friend, the previous owner of the car, he may remember where the faulty filter came from.

While we are discussing filters.

I used to work as a Production Support/ Process/ Equipment Engineer for British Aerospace. There were many filters in process equipment and they were changed on a routine. The filter suppliers made a small fortune from us.

I started specifying filters (of suitable specification) from a small company, and the owner/ engineer would visit every now and again. I looked forward to his visits as he was so knowledgeable and helpful.

He said that in all of our processes we were changing filters far to often and and just wasting money. The frequency of filter changes was reduced considerably with no detriment to the processes.

The engineer said that car oil filters changed far more frequently than necessary. He said they would normally be absolutely fine for several oil changes.

[340man]

I spoke to the previous owner of my 340 GLE just now, and he says that the filter on it (that must have had a faulty non return valve), was an Alco branded one and black coloured.

The white filter I mentioned came from Halfords and was on the 1.7 30GLE that I broke up.

I must apologise.

[Joe Harding]

Originally Posted by 340man

I can check with my friend, the previous owner of the car, he may remember where the faulty filter came from.

While we are discussing filters.

I used to work as a Production Support/ Process/ Equipment Engineer for British Aerospace. There were many filters in process equipment and they were changed on a routine. The filter suppliers made a small fortune from us.

I started specifying filters (of suitable specification) from a small company, and the owner/ engineer would visit every now and again. I looked forward to his visits as he was so knowledgeable and helpful.

He said that in all of our processes we were changing filters far to often and and just wasting money. The frequency of filter changes was reduced considerably with no detriment to the processes.

The engineer said that car oil filters changed far more frequently than necessary. He said they would normally be absolutely fine for several oil changes.

Since converting to LPG, the oil simply doesn't change colour. Hence I increase oil change interval times and change the filter only after the third oil change.

Let's face it, car maunfacturers gotta make money after the sale too.