I have heard the maintainance on that 16 valve engine is high, is that true?

Looking for my first car right now and I like the performance on the 940GLE, it sits comfortable between the 940 and 940TURBO.

Thanks

The 16 valve engine can be as reliable as the other motors. All you have to do is change the oil when required, change the timing belt when scheduled (this one is importatnt) and the same front engine seals as the other engines will need to be replaced as freqently on said engines. If you are in the habit of driving the car until the timing belt lets go (as apparently the previous posters are) you will damage something, BUT that is still possible on a non-interference design (not as likely but still possible). People seem to think that the interference design is a rarity, but all the newer volvo engines are interference designs (from the 960 on) as well as the majority of the overhead cam cars on the planet, so at some point you will be buying one and the same thing is required with them (the timing belt needs to be changed on schedule). My 16 vavle has not had the problem with the lifters, I think regular oil changes help that problem, and it is a nice smooth powerful engine. I would say that you should definately make sure that the car has been serviced regularly, but you should do that with any car. Make sure you either know enough to check the car out yourself, or take it to someone you can trust to evaluate the condition of the car (again something you should do with any car). If everything checks out and the price is right (and you are satisfied you are buying it in good condition and will be careful to perfom the scheduled maintenance) the car will last you a long long time. Just rember the turbo's that "have no problems" do eventually wear out the turbo (can be failr expensive too) and they still need the timing belt replaced, (and still have oil leaks too despite what may be implied) the 8v still needs about the same scheduled maintenace as the 16v. If the car is good don't be afraid of it, if it has been neglected at all, run away (but again I would say that about any car). Just my 2 cents. Good luck however you go.

Hi

i agree with scott as I do own a 940GLE 16 valve engine. I am a firm beleiver that if you service your car at the recomended intervals, your brick (as well as any other cars) will never give your any problems and will rarely breakdown in the middle of a highway. As for maintenance all cars need maintenance and 16 valves does not cost you a bomb.

I have not owned cars for long (just about 9 years now) and my volvo is the 4th car and only once my car previous had brokedown in the middle of the highway (out of gas!!). Volvo 940 has been my ultimate car and I intend to keep this baby. So whichever model you intend to buy, just remember to do regular maintenance, you will end up saving in the long run.

However one thing that i notice scott had not mentioned is that from my 2 cents worth observation, I have compared the 8 valves, turbo, 16 valves and what we in Malaysia call the soft turbo model (or half turbo) which is available from 1995 model onwards, the 16 valves does seems to be noisy (especially in the morning start). The valves get so noisy that the engine sounds like a diesel engine. I tried using the SEA 20/50 lub. but no use (I don't fancy fully synthetic lub). However, after about ten minutes of warm-up the noise fades away. Any suggestions to deal with this scott??

thanks

volvo 940GLE 16 valve B234F, 113695KM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Well there are two posibilities (this is not happening with my car by the way). The first is that the hydralic lifters are causing you a problem, in which case you should probably get them checked/replaced (or check/replace them yourself if you are comfortable doing that). The other pssibility is that it is the famous volvo piston slap that is found in many volvo engines when the car is clod, it will go away after warm up and the car will go forever despite making this noise. Hope this helps

Thanks scott. I'll get my mechanic to have a look at the hydralic lifters. I have no clue where this parts can be found and I am not taking any chances my fiddling the car by myself.

thanks for helping

I agree with Warren - unless you can get it really cheap, it's just too risky. The 16V engine has issues, primarily the interference design (break the timing belt, and you're out a couple thousand rebuilding the head), but also stuff like hydraulic lifters that crap out and oil leaks. A 940 Turbo will give you more power and a NA 940 will give you more reliability.

Now, if you can get the 16V really cheap, don't mind keeping after it/maintaining it religiously, and have no problem kissing the motor goodbye if it grenades, then go for it. You can always swap in a good turbo motor down the road...

If the timing belt breaks, maintenance is high. OUCH!!! Lots of little bent valves. OTOH, the turbo is ultimatly faster, with hight boost, and if the belt breaks, you coast to a stop, your valves intact.

Stick with the turbo. 740/940 turbos are nice too.