My '84 245 has almost 290,000 miles on the clock. The old b23 is still banging along, but I've noticed that over the last 100K the car has been getting more and more sluggish. I realize that we aren't talking about a high output engine here, but loaded dump trucks and school buses seem to take pleasure in out accelerating me. :-)

Was thinking that maybe the cam lobes are worn enough that they aren't opening the valves properly. Compression is about an even 150psi across all 4cylinders, and she only uses about 1/2 qt of oil every 3000mi. So the rings don't appear to be excessively worn (e.g. low compression). I'm actually surprised that the engine is in such good condition. I've ran it on 10w40 dino oil (Quaker State, then Castrol) all its life, and haven't always used the best filters. Up to this point, it hasn't required any work. Valves have been checked every 50K mi and I adjusted them at 100K and 250K. Also has gotten a new t-belt at 50/100/150/200/250k. Two waterpumps and front seals. That's it. One of the most reliable engines I have ever seen. An American V-6 might be faster and more economical in some applications, but it wouldn't make it to half this mileage without a major overhaul. Know several people with Fords/GM products that have done valve jobs and head work on well-maintained rigs <150K miles.

Anyway, "usual suspects" have been eliminated-i.e. cat convertor is about 3 years old and definitely not clogged, filters 'n fluids are recent, timing is OK, flame trap clean, etc.

How do I know when it might be time to rebuild?

If your compression is still good, it's more likely that your poor performance is due to other factors with your fuel/ignition systems and that an engine overhaul is not needed.

If you're unable to diagnose it yourself, your money would be well spent to take the car somewhere where a knowledgeable Volvo tech can properly diagnose/repair the problem. It'll be far less $$$ than an engine overhaul.

I've seen those engines with higher mileage (over 400K) still perform like new when everything else was in good working order.

I agree with Don, the compression is capable of producing originial power -- almost! Who services the car and when did the lack of power show its ugly head?? Using a light(timing) check for distributor retard afterr the basic timing belt alignment.

One thing that can slow down acceleration is mistiming between the cam and its sprocket—and this can leave the engine otherwise running OK.

Any possibility that the alignment pin has sheared and the cam is a few degrees off?






Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

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