Volvo AWD 850 Forum

I am buying an 850 from a friend. This is the turbo model, and it was running well, but had an overheating problem. The PO had the head resurfaced, and the engine is back together, but won't start. I'm up to speed with the 240's but this is my first experience with the 5 cylinder version. Any ideas on where to go first? The engine turns over without interferrence, but there is just no trying to fire up at all.

In addition to the excellent advice Klaus has offered, I'll suggest that you check that all the timing marks line up as they should.
If there's no interference it probably can't be so far off that the car wouldn't start, but it may be worth checking to eliminate variables. Requires removing the RF wheel to access the crank pulley.

I hope it's something simple like a loose wire, not something catastrophic.

You mention it's AWD. Not that it makes much difference, but I don't think they offered an AWD 850 in the US. Could it be that it's a V70XC (98 and newer)?

-Will
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854 - 244 - Mini

I was under the impression that it was an AWD. Turns out that it's really a FWD. Question: Does the distributor just key into the cam? If so, I suppose that the so called mechanic could have keyed it in out of phase.

If you have spark and fuel and no check engine light, pull the plugs and clean them. Check the cam position sensor wiring and make sure the wires do not come close to the plug wires.

If the engine spins easily with the starter, you might have to crank the starter long enough to turn off the oil pressure light on the dash to pump oil to the hydraulic lifters - about 30-60 seconds - with the gas pedal flat on the floor.

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

If you DO NOT have spark or fuel, you may want to check the RPM sensor, a.k.a. Crankshaft Position Sensor. This sensor is a permissive; during a start, the engine must attain at least 2500 RPM, at which time this sensor will send a signal permitting fuel and spark. If it is defective and does not send the proper signal, you can crank all day, and nothing will happen.

It is located at the rear of the engine block at the top of the flywheel on the transmission bell housing.

If this unit is defective, it should set a code.

CODE Fenix 5.2 System
The Fenix 5.2 system is used on the 10 valve non turbocharged 850

PROBABLE CAUSE for Volvo vehicles
1-3-1 Ignition System RPM signal
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Dave in Virginia; 1998 V70 T5(M): IPD MOTRONIC+ ECU Upgrade, Sport Muffler, IPD Strut Tower Brace; VDO Boost Gauge, IPD Anti-Sway Bars, Rocha ABS Control Unit, Koni FDS Struts and Shocks/// 1988 245 DL Wagon// 1967 MGB Roadster

Where is the camshaft position sensor on this engine. As I said, I'm a newbie on the 5 cylinder engines, even though I have owned the 245 for nearly 25 years.

The engine was running well when the head came off, just had an issue with overheating, and so the head was pulled, and checked. It required no machining, and the gasket was replaced. An Indie shop did the work, and he told the PO that he could not fix the problem with the no start. I'm going to pick the car up this Saturday, and will trailer it home, since it's an AWD, I don't want to use a dolly or a flat tow.

I will probably be asking tons of questions on here. Thanks in advance.

If I had a mechanic replace the head gasket and he couldn't get the car to start afterwards, he wouldn't get paid much. How do you know he put the cams back on correctly? Or anything else for that matter? Once the car leaves his shop, all fixes for mistakes made by the shop are no longer his responsibility.

AND you have to pay to have it flatbeded to your home?

The camshaft position sensor is towards the firewall from the distributer, on the rear cam. The distributer is on the forward cam.

Also check the plug positions on the distributer. Wire #1 is at 0930, #3 is at 1200, #5 is at 1400, #4 is at 1700, and #2 is at 2200hrs. You will need a torx driver to get the black cover off.

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

As it turns out, my friend passed on the car. We went down on Saturday morning, and had a look. The car is beautiful, but as it turns out, one person removed the head, and another person installed the head, cams and manifolds, then another person tried to connect the other related parts, and the mechanic shop where we saw the car removed the air box and related items, and could not/would not complete the repairs. We decided that since so many fingers had been inserted into the pie, we would pass on it.

I was thinking the same thing - this doesn't sound like much of a mechanic. I think even I could get as far as he did, and then say "I can't get it to start."