First Service, Volvo P1800

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I am not sure of the service history of my newly acquired Volvo P1800, 1965 manufactured, 1966 imported and registered in Malaysia.

I checked the engine oil, seems a bit on the dark side. So, I decided to give it an engine oil change.

From the radiator cap, the water seems full, but I thought it is clear and using tap water. So I wanted to change it to proper coolant too. Later only I found out that it is blue or green water coolant inside the radiator when flushing out the tank. Anyhow, it is still good to get the tank flushed, as proper recommendation by car manufacturer is coolant change every 30,000 miles. Mine is 3x,xxx on the speedometer now, after 55 years of different ownership.

Wanted to get the service done yesterday, but couldn’t find the time. So, this morning I waited till the car workshop opened at 10am, and went there to get the service done.

It is a nice Sunday morning, so there are lots of parking space available. I parked my car outside the workshop, as the slop to drive into the workshop is too steep, I don’t want to risk scratching the bottom or rear part of my car. It is a cool morning, so not so hot working outside.

Front car was jacked up to get access to the bottom.

Before draining the engine oil, we have to make sure that we can get the correct oil filter for my car first. The old one is MANN W917, but the mechanic can’t get this model from the local spare part shop.

Instead, they recommended him another model, FILTON Oil Filter FO-3143T (Made in Malaysia), which should be compatible as per them. The mechanic removed the old oil filter and compared it to the new one using his finger, seems OK. So, we just proceed with the change. Hopefully there is no oil leak later. (I was a bit worried when I saw different number of holes…)

After changing the oil filter, we proceed to drain the engine oil and get a new engine oil for it. Initially I wanted MOTUL 15W40 mineral oil, but he said he only have PTT 15W40 brand. Never heard of this brand, and later google seems to show that this is a Philippines or Thailand petrol brand. Anyhow, I told him I want MOTUL brand, and he only have 10W40 left. I went ahead with this.

MOTUL 4100 TURBOLGIHT 10W40 ENGINE OIL 4L – SEMI SYNTHETIC

Technosynthese® lubricant specially designed for powerful and recent cars, powered by large displacement Gasoline and Diesel engine, naturally aspirated or turbo, indirect or direct injection, carburrattor or injection and with or without catalytic converter. Suitable for all type of gasoline or diesel engines, using leaded or unleaded Gasoline, Ethanol, LPG, Diesel fuel and biofuels.

This 4L engine oil is more than enough for my car, as Volvo manual indicates that the engine B18B requires only 3.25L of engine oil. The mechanic went ahead to pour in the engine oil.

As for the coolant part, I told the mechanic that I want BLUE coolant, not RED type. Although I am not 100% sure that blue is safe, but from what I read, BLUE or GREEN is normally Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), while RED is often Organic Acid Technology (OAT). The later one is bad for old car that might have zinc content in the radiator.

Since we are flushing out the radiator, so 1 bottle is definitely NOT enough. We ordered 2 bottles (2L + 2L), and used up almost all. I brought back the leftover in case I need to top up later.

Mechanic pouring in the coolant.

Total cost for today’s service of:

1. Engine Oil Change
2. Oil filter change
3. Radiator coolant flush and replace

= RM260

I didn’t ask for breakdown, but when google the products online, the cost of materials is around:

RM130 + RM20 + RM20 x 2 = RM190, labor and workmanship around RM70.

I won’t have the tools to do the change myself, it is good to let others earn and I am happy with the service of this mechanic.

Spark Plugs?

Just remembered that I forgot to change the spark plugs, nevermind…will do that myself. Just bought 4 pieces of NGK BP6HS online, and a spark plug remover tool (21mm hexagon).

• NGK BP6HS = RM4.49 x 4 = RM17.96
• Spark park remover tool 21mm = RM9.57