Questions and Answers

Volvo 960 Valve Lifters Q. Hello, Let me begin by saying that I am very impressed with this site and your services. I read another article of yours which made me feel confident that I can handle this job. I hope that it remains true after my question.

I have a 1997 Volvo 960 which needs new lifters (followers). I received a quote for $1000.00 to do this.

1) I have 24 lifters, at about $10 a piece, Trollhattan Auto Parts, Inc is this correct? If they are more than $10.00, can you tell a bad lifter from a good one once inside? So, $1,000.00 take away $240.00 and they're charging me $760.00 for labor. I understand that labor is expensive, I'm just wondering if the lifter price sounds correct to you.

2) I am female, and I've been tinkering around on my cars off an on for several years now, so I am very comfortable with mechanical work. But my mechanic (an independent Volvo mechanic, the first mechanic I've trusted in years, says that I can't do this job with out several VOLVO tools. Now I understand WHY he would tell me that after quoting me $1000.00 for parts and labor, but is he correct?

I read my Chilton's which requires a Pulley holder tool (i.e. any tool needing a job) and then three tools (holding 5453, locking 5452 and press 5454) for reinstalling the cylinder head. I can't seem to picture this process and obviously Chilton can't seem to take a picture of it. Mitchell doesn't even care that the vehicle has lifters and, well, I'm just not going to by a Haynes. Additionally, no one in town rents out Volvo tools, imagine that.

So, can I make do without, or do I really need the tools?

3) If I put brand new valve lifters in, are there any adjustments that would need to be made?

Thank you 100 times over, any help would be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Robin

A. I always think that it's great that a lady wants do her on work on her car. But I always wonder why when a lady writes to me looking for help they always say "I am a female" like it's a bad thing? Of all the sexes in the world, females are my favorite and I don't judge a persons intelligence based on sex.

Anyway, let's talk about your car. It just so happens the valve lifters, from a Volvo Dealer, are $10.23. The same price as from this parts place. Since the prices are the same, my preference would be to get them from the Volvo Dealer. It is a long job. The labor book gives 8.4 hours to do the job. So you would multiply the shops labor rate by 8.4.

As you can see in the picture of the 3.0 liter engine you have in that car, the valve lifter sits between the camshaft and the valve itself. Now the special tools they refer to are used to aid in removing and reinstalling the camshaft. How necessary are they? I don't want to say they are absolutely necessary, nor do I want to say they are not. You are not going to find these tools in any Tool Rental place, they are strictly Volvo tools.

The Tool No. 999 5452-1 is a Locating/Locking Tool, Camshaft Alignment. The Tool No. 999 5453-9 is a Camshafts Retainer/Holder For Front Of Camshaft. And The Tool No. Tool No. 999 5454-7 is a Press Down Tool For Installing Camshafts. Me, as an experienced mechanic could probably figure a way around these tools or substituent other tools in their place. But I doubt you have that experience.

This is a big job. It requires removing the timing belt and camshaft on a Volvo. This is the kind of job I would only recommend to an advanced DIY.