Problems with 965 - B6304

[Tradorius]

Hello everybody,

my 965 B6304 (~465000 km) just does not want to start anymore. Have already searched a lot here in the forum but not found the right answer or a solution for the problem.
The first problem of my car fitted to the problem of sticking valves (https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/960...StickingValves).
After I tried the tips unsuccessfully, I decided to swap the hydros - no success.
Sometimes it sounds like there are a few firings, but not enough.

What I have checked/done:

- Timing belt
- Compression test (cold enginge, starter speed 180 rpm -> 6 bar - rises with a little bit oil in the spark plug hole to 9 bar)
- Pressure drop test - no abnormalities
- spark
- fuel pressure - 3 bar
- sparks get wet - injection should work
- tried to start the engine with starting spray without injection - no success

I think the cranking speed seems to be quite low ~ 180 rpm - can someone tell me if that can be right? (already tried another battery ;-)

I am looking forward to hints. Thank you.

[mjk164]

My car is 1993 960 (6304) with 380,000 miles.
When you get the problem with hydraulic valves sticking open at cold starting, it can sometimes be difficult to start the engine. You need to have a good battery and fully charged and run the starter continuous for about 1 to 2 minutes before the valves get enough oil in them to make the valve operate and get the engine to fire. Once it starts to fire, you're on your way. Don't do any pumping of the accelerator or put anything into the air intake...and just let the start system provide the correct mixture, as it will. To prevent further occasions of valves sticking, only ever run our now rather elderly engines on fully synthetic oil. I've had my car for 17 years now and, after the first few occasions of valve stick, I never get it now on fully synth. As I say, be patient with a long use starter and a good battery....and it will fire.
Did you try to measure all 6 cylinders for pressure test?
Fuel pressure is OK.
Your cranking speed may simply be low because of battery condition.
What does "I decided to swap the hydros " mean?
All the best.
GH

[Tradorius]

Hi,

yes I measured the pressure on all cylinders. Was very similar.

"I decided to swap the hydros " mean?

- I exchanged the hydraulic lifters.

I also tried other batteries - cranking speed was always the same.

[kishor]

Originally Posted by Tradorius

Hello everybody,

my 965 B6304 (~465000 km) just does not want to start anymore. Have already searched a lot here in the forum but not found the right answer or a solution for the problem.
The first problem of my car fitted to the problem of sticking valves (https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/960...StickingValves).
After I tried the tips unsuccessfully, I decided to swap the hydros - no success.
Sometimes it sounds like there are a few firings, but not enough.

What I have checked/done:

- Timing belt
- Compression test (cold enginge, starter speed 180 rpm -> 6 bar - rises with a little bit oil in the spark plug hole to 9 bar)
- Pressure drop test - no abnormalities
- spark
- fuel pressure - 3 bar
- sparks get wet - injection should work
- tried to start the engine with starting spray without injection - no success

I think the cranking speed seems to be quite low ~ 180 rpm - can someone tell me if that can be right? (already tried another battery ;-)

I am looking forward to hints. Thank you.

Hi
Replace the spark plugs
Ta
Kassie

[c1800]

How old is the gas?

[Tradorius]

Because i had no time to work on the car meanwhile ~ 3/4 year....

[MiniNinjaRob]

Originally Posted by Tradorius

Because i had no time to work on the car meanwhile ~ 3/4 year....

That’s your problem. Unleaded fuel goes “off” after a certain period. Drain the tank and put fresh fuel in.

[Tradorius]

Ok, I will trie it this evening.

But why does the engine not start with starting spray?

[rogerthechorister]

Have you tried the coil packs? Are you SURE that the spark is OK?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Tradorius

Hi,

yes I measured the pressure on all cylinders. Was very similar.

- I exchanged the hydraulic lifters.

I also tried other batteries - cranking speed was always the same.

First thing i'd check is the cam timing - is this engine a DOHC unit? If so and you've got one cam a tooth or two out or worse still, 180 degrees out, you will get low compression figures and no real compression on the compression stroke. That means on the firing stroke it won't do anything, just pop and bang once in a while if you're lucky.

Second thing, when you exchanged the lifters, did you renew them or just use a set from another engine?
Either way, a useful tip with hydraulic lifters is to soak them overnight before you fit them in clean engine oil, squeezing the plunger in and out again on each one every now and again to help remove excess air from the internals of the lifters. This gives you a better chance of it starting first time.

Also going back to the cam timing, did you make sure the crankshaft was in the correct position to time the cams. Assuming a 1-5-3-6-2-4 firing order, the 0 degree mark on the crank pulley will also line up when #6 is at TDC as well as #1. I'm not familiar with this engine so don't know how the ignition is timed but have you also checked whatever triggers the ignition?


*** EDIT ***

Just done a bit of digging and found this :

http://www.myvolvolibrary.info/Tech_...nditioning.pdf

Shows in there how to time it one the cam belt, also the rpm sensor at the back of the engine and the position of the camshaft position sensor so that explains how the ignition is timed.

What were the original symptoms?