Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

[Robj]

Hello,

Just getting my boat ready for the season, it is a 4 cyl, 2.3 l Volvo rubber band engine. Has not run since last summer. Pulled the plugs, #4 looked lean, clean white ceramic on the plug. Did a compression test, and the numbers were #1 and #2 were at 165 psi, #3 and #4 were at 120 psi. Looks like I will not be going boating today.

What I was planning to do, is start it up on muffs in the driveway, let it warm up and re-do the compression test to see what the numbers are. If they are the same as earlier, will try a wet test to see if it changes.

I think it is the head gasket again, changed it last year, but I guess I did not do a good job.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx and have a a great day

Rob.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Have you checked the valve clearance?

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Have you checked the valve clearance?

Not this year, that was all done last year by the machine shop at the beginning of the season. I think the head gasket is leaking between 3 and 4. I'll see what others have to say before I start ripping it apart.....again. Not looking forward to that.

Also it has not run in 9 months, not sure if that will make any difference, but will start it in the driveway and let it warm up and recheck.

Have a great day

Rob.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Hello,

Well I ran it and re-checked the compression. #1, #2, #3 were at 180 to 185 lbs, #4 went upto 165 lbs. May try re-torqueing, but the head bolts are torque to yield. How would one do a re-torque? Loosen one bolt at a time and re-torque?

Is it possible that my other problem, white ceramic on plug #4, indicative of water or a lean condition can be caused by a leaking exhaust manifold? Unsure of the condition of the old one, but did buy a new one a while back and will install it.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanx and have a great day

Rob.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

What is your engines model number. 2.3 covers several. Should be something like AQ125, AQ131, etc. and a letter after the number.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

What is your engines model number. 2.3 covers several. Should be something like AQ125, AQ131, etc. and a letter after the number.

Hello Don,

It is an AQ131B, the one with the single overhead cam.

Thanx and have a great day

Rob.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Hello,

I will try and do a leak down test to see if that reveals anything. Ordered a tester and will see if that reveals anything.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Finally got my leak down tester and ran the test. Found all to be about 14% +/- 0.5%. There was some leakage heard from the oil filler cap (blowby) and some from the carb. But based on 14%, I don't think I have anything to worry about. 14% is well within the acceptable range.

Also I noticed some rust inside the manifold, mostly by #4, which was the cylinder that was giving me the grief with a lean condition/water leak. Will change the manifold and take her for a run. Hopefully it will be resolved.

Have a great day

Rob

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Volvo 2.3 l Help Please

Check the intake valve clearance on #4. If it's tight you could have a sinking seat or stretched valve.