Both of my kids brought this to my attention recently; our 1993 240 sedan (184K good compression, automatic) is noticeably more lethargic from a standing start than either our 1992 240 automatic sedan or the 1992 240 Wagon. The only difference that I could think of is the limited slip diff the 93 has and the 92's don't. Both 92's have a fair amount of piston slap but seem more free revving when you put the pedal down. Nothing earth shattering, but I was wondering and my teen ager asked me to 'brickboard' the question. Thanks in advance, Greg

Orrrrr if you have a 1/8 mile track near you take both of them and you and your son can race each other and have some fun.

I think you have to different rear ends or one of them the timing is off.Are they both running good?

They are all running good, recent tunes, good compression, recent timing belts (correctly done)I will have to do a 1/8 mile with my son to see if we're imagining something. Thanks all for the replies! i'll let you know how it turns out.

Could be any number of differences, but most often, I think it is a matter of perception. I have had clapped out 300k+ mile 240s which seemed to rev up faster than my babied '93 with half the miles. But when you look down at the speedo, the illusion is shattered.

Also, a couple years ago when my rear muffler broke off and hit the ground, my every sense told me the car was faster - but logic told me it could not possibly have made such a difference as to be noticeable. Just louder.

More on topic, there was no major difference to the engine or fuel/ignition systems that I am aware of, if any, between those two years, nor to the transmission or any other part of the drivetrain which could explain the difference you perceive. Most likely, if there is a real difference, it is due to the condition of a sensor, or ignition component, or air filter, or the transmission. . . and so on.

I don't know much about the rear axles they put in these but if one is limited slip, it may have a different gear ratio. My kids noted to me that our '91 accelerates better than our '90. I figured the reason was when we got the '91, I swapped the rear axle from our '89 240 wagon into it - which I'm sure is geared down due to the increased weight of the wagon.

You can check the gear ratio by checking the label on the axle. It is covered with undercoat so you would have to clean it off with some solvent. Search here for axle ratios and I'm sure there are some instructions (I'm sure that is where I read it).

...or a dragging brake.

...or maybe some age3d wheel bearings, or a little tranny slip.

Wheel bearings, sure. Tranny slip...there would be other symptoms.

May be just my imagination, but I could see where the amount of carbon built up might slow the acceleration, if the knock sensor was doing its duty reducing advance. Maybe dad's 93 needs the Italian Tune-Up the 92's are getting?
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

ha ha .. my first thought after reading his Post was "Hmmm, why would the kids notice this?"
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

Are you implying that the teenagers might be attempting to get the last ounce of performance (at least in a straight line) out of the 240's they are driving? Perish the thought.

Yeah, Onkel, it does sound kinda lame to expect that with 240's, now that you mention it. My grandson seemed to flinch when I took his '90 for a short test drive and nailed it off the line. But that may be because he was very aware I had the airbag and he did not.

On topic, another thought is the 93 may have received a timing belt replacement, which always has the opportunity of being done one cog off.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

Trust me, a male teenager will try to get max performance out of any vehicle, be it a Volvo 240, a 4-cylinder S10, an AMC Pacer or a Porsche 911.

my 80 244 is so hot that IF I don't back off on my Take-Offs, the rear wheels spin and "burn rubber", when it's been rainin' Watch Out. Gotta really LOW 1st gear.

Can pull 1/2 length telephone pole size trees out of stream beds...in prep for Sandy.

Speakin' of......Yikes. Got to stop watching AccuWeather.com ...scares the shite out of me.

Wow, telephone pole size!

Euonymus on me.


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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Don't let people drive you crazy when it is within walking distance.

Even if I had a 240 that is quick I'll still apply a light foot to the accelerator pedal.

A 240 quick off the line. Without a bunch of $$$ stuffed into it for performance, how do you get it quick off the line? The stock and late turbo were pretty quick in-spite of the spool up lag from a stop.

They do just do it while the car is already moving if you punch it from the 40-70 mph range.

Uncle Teal 240, so, as for your three 240s with such different performances could you delineate the configuration of each 240 whether:
- automatic or manual transmission
- what Bosch LH or other injection system? (I guess you could have a rare single side-draft carbed 240 from Canuck or some other nation with the much coveted factory installed 'K' cam.)
- The final (differential) drive gear ratio. I guess the dealer-installed limited slip or locking differential may give you a lower final drive ratio.

Does each of your 240s carry a similar amount of weight with spare tire and tools and all? Alloy wheels are usually lighter than the steelies available for your year of 240. You've checked compression in all three engines and compression is the same in each - around 170-190 pounds engine cold (or warm?), all plugs removed, full battery charge).

You could also get each dyno tested for final power output at some local race track.

Others have already stated things like dragging or deeply scored brake rotors and pads, parking brake drag, tire quality (make and model and size), and the like.

A quicker stock 240, if you get all in good tune with good running gear is also a more fuel efficient 240 with lower emissions. Valve adjustment?

Of course you don't floor it all the time, yes?

I've always driven like a little owld man. Even in a performance car I drive it like being in the 240. Much to others' dismay and deriding comment.

cheers,

dud.