What oil would you recommend? (1991 740 2.0)

[Laird Scooby]

I'd query the Volvo one as in common with many manufacturers, Volvo use more than one supplier for their filters.

I believe one of them is Bosch, most Bosch kit is good stuff but the oil filters are made in a variety of places such as South Africa (no problem there) and somewhere in South America, Mexico or Brazil, can't remember which.

Some people have reported problems with these on other forums although in fairness, i haven't seen the same problem reported on here with either Volvo or Bosch oil filters made there.

I'd go for the Mann filter and if you buy it from ECP there's a good chance of either getting the filter free with the oil or getting a big discount on both at the moment.
Their current promo code is "XMAS17", how much discount that gives i don't know but worth a try.

[Prufrock]

I'd go for Volvo. I never buy singles so usually buy OE at less than the Mann - big markup on consumables like filters.

Mann are good though.

Jon.

[AllHailKingVolvo]

I got it done today! Me and my stepson tackled it together which was fun. The drain plug was massively overtightened by whoever last changed the oil, it took a pipe wrench with a three foot steel pipe over the handle (I sh*t you not!) to get it to budge, but it eventually spun out cleanly and amazingly the brass washer wasn’t annihilated.

The old oil was very black and left a slightly bitty residue in the draining pan, not as bad as i’d anticipated but it was definitely ready for a change.

On went a Mann filter and in went 4L of Petronas Syntium 10w40 semi synth, and it now drives and sounds like a different car. It’s quieter (noticeably less top end noise) and pulls better off the mark, the low end seems a lot stronger than before.

Thanks for the advice, all-really pleased with the results! I’ll change it again twice at 3000 mile intervals to clear out any residual gunk before going back to the standard 6000.

[Laird Scooby]

That's good news - can't remember if you've already done this or been advised to do it but clean the breather system as well. Sounds like the old oil was as thin as an anorexic on hunger strike so could easily have traveled further up the flame trap/oil separator than it should have done and potentially blocked it.

Had this happen on mine after cleaning it because i inadvertently used some dodgy oil that turned out to (probably) be part-recycled!

[ThePurplePanther]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

That's good news - can't remember if you've already done this or been advised to do it but clean the breather system as well. Sounds like the old oil was as thin as an anorexic on hunger strike so could easily have traveled further up the flame trap/oil separator than it should have done and potentially blocked it.

Had this happen on mine after cleaning it because i inadvertently used some dodgy oil that turned out to (probably) be part-recycled!

This 1000x

If you don't know when the pcv box was last changed i'd definatly fit a new one (suprisingly reasonable from volvo), and clean out as best as you can the pipe from it to the inlet. Also if you are an NA clean/replace the flame trap.

Made a huge difference to my old 940 classic - went from practically blowing the filler cap into the air when you loosened it to something almost approaching a vacuum...

[Paul240480]

Another vote for doing the PCV, but bin the flame trap, #notrequired

[AllHailKingVolvo]

Good shout on the PCV-I’ll get a replacement from Volvo. I cleaned the one on my old 940 when I did the throttle body, but of course the 740 is six years older so a new PCV is probably the best course of action.

I’m impressed with how little oil the 740 burns/leaks-it literally used none in the first 2000 Miles of owning it, didn’t lose a drop-it stayed at the top of the stick and the drive has been spotless.

Tanking around in it today I noticed it was quieter from cold and the oil pressure light goes out almost instantly-it would often stay on for a second or two when starting it from warm after sitting for twenty mins or so previously, but doesn’t anymore...presumably this is down to the right filter being fitted with the non-draindown valve. Either way i’m happy!