HI all,
Sold my 240 a couple months ago. I just bought a 91 940 GLE wagon.
I was wondering what kinds of things I need to look out for on it. Its the b234f 16 valve.
Seems like a good running car.
I got it really cheap, that why I bought it. About 150k on it.
One question. There is a putputputput type noise coming on under load. Its not a valve tick, but it fluctuates with engine speed and sounds like its coming from under the car. Exhaust leak? Any Ideas?
Also any things to do to it or take care of would be greatly appreciated.
Timing belt was just done, as were all the front end seals, and rear main seal.

Thanks all.

I think that you have heard enough about the exhaust leak.
To note, when starting, there is tappet noise, this is normal, while the hydralic lifters get pressured up, after that, should not be noticable. Just for a comparison, the B230 is 127 hp, the B230FT is 165 and this one is 157 hp, so you got almost as much as the turbo but fewer problems.
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78'-262C w/130 KM, 84'-240T w/ 188KM, 91'-240 w/ 498KM, 93'-940T w/ 195KM, 94'-850 w/ 215KM

Dear bustednutz,

May this find you. I believe there's an exhaust leak. One "easy" way to find it, is to wrap a rag around each exhaust manifold connection to the block. if compressing the rag tightly causes the "phitt, phitt, phitt" noise to go away, or to diminish, you've found the failed gasket. Another leak source is where the manifold connects to the down-pipe, the pipe that descends from the manifold to the underside. The same approach works: a rag, wrapped tightly, will stop the escape of exhaust gases.

If doing these tests does not stop or reduce the sound, check the piping on the underside. The leak may in the exhaust pipe, under the heat-shield. If that's the case, remove the heat shield and have the pipe welded.

Do you have documentary proof - a detailed invoice for work done - that the timing belt was changed? If so, fine! If not, and if you can't get that invoice, get the timing belt changed. If the belt breaks, the valves get bent. This is a very costly repair. A timing belt change is a low-cost cure.

See the FAQs, under site features, for a list of things to do, when taking charge of a 940 series vehicle. For example, if the radiator is the factory original (i.e., if you don't have documentary proof that it has been replaced), get the radiator changed. The original, 16 years old, doesn't owe you a nickel.

The radiators in these cars have a ten-year working life. The plastic of the side tanks - where the hoses connect, gets brittle with time/heat. When the hose nipple breaks, coolant gushes out, and the engine will overheat very quickly, warping the head and requiring a heat gasket replacement.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook

I have had one for 6 years. Two daughters through high school (one through part of college)

As the others have said, get the timing belt issue dealt with. Mine never broke but with the rarity of thses motors and the fact that the heads are destroyed, the car would likely be junked.

Broken heads from broken timing belts are not new to cars. Many models have interferance motors. The fact the more popular B230 was not one of them scared folks from buying this one and all the subsequent horror stories. Of course if it is you with the problem, it is a horror story.

Mine did have one of the broken teeth on the idler for the balance belt. The original had plastic teeth. Change that if it is plastic.

They run great, smooth and more powerful than my other Volvo.

the main thing I have learned is to not buy ignition parts from your local auto parts. It seems even if they look it up, I end up with regular B230 engine parts. They are not interchangable. Many engine and ignition parts are that way. I have ordered from on line folks advertised on this site with good results.

The rest of the car is the same and parts are very available.

Unusual car. I've only ever seen one in person- not a common engine combination in this country anyway.

The timing belt is the big issue with this car. If it's just done, make sure you mark down the mileage somewhere and plan to have it done again, 40K miles from now. Be conservative on this- if it's in for a water pump at 35K, do it then. This is really the ONE THING that's a weak point in these cars.

Other than that should be a great car. And no issues with the belt UNLESS one breaks; then it's a really bad day.

The noise you describe is classic exhaust gasket noise. May get quieter as the engine warms. The gaskets are quite cheap; there can be issues getting all 8 nuts off the manifold. Have a look at the exhaust manifold and see if there are any missing nuts (indicating a broken stud). If the nuts look to be in good shape, the job should go well.

Spraying the nuts with PB blaster for a few days ahead of the actual disassembly work will pay dividends in the success rate of the work.

Good luck and enjoy the new ride!
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::: Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244 M47 212K ::: 90 745GL M47 275K ::: 90 745T AW71 213K ::: 90 745T Parts Car ::: 88 245DL SOLD! ::: 84 242DL Project ::: 70 VW Bus ::: 70 VW Pickup Project ::: 71 VW Notchback :::

The putt-putt is probably a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket. It could be elsewhere though. When the engine is cold look for a white trail to help find the leak. You can also use a 3-4 foot hose as a stethoscope while the engine is running.

I never had a B234f but there is fair amount of information in the FAQ. 1991 940 was the only year you would find these engines in the USA. There are a fair amount of these engines in 740s and maybe 760s. If you don’t get the answers here, post in the 700 series forum and put 16V in the title. Here is a start. http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/BuyingUsed7xx.htm#BuyingaUsedGLEwithB234F
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A horse walks into a bar and the bartender says, why the long face?