>>> I have a problem witn my 740 Turbo 1988 with 230 motor. It was
>>> backfiring and finally died. It was suggested that the time belt had
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> --
> Tony
>>James you say this alot, how many exampes have you seen? I find it hard
>>to believe every 88 or older 740 (or whatever the year is) that they are
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>>enough driving to dry off properly, sitting out in rain/wind, leaking
>>battery, oil, heat guard etc.
Well let's see, both of my cars, my mom's car, my dad's car, my friend's
car, 3 cars belonging to another friend, essentially I have yet to see
an '81-'88 200 or 700 series Volvo that didn't suffer from harness rot.
Some climates may be worse than others for it, but it's a fact of life,
the wiring insulation rots and crumbles under the hood.
>>Is this really the common problem you say it is. Surely 'the whole wiring
>>loom' can't be faulty.
It's the heat under the hood that causes it, if you doubt it, you
haven't cut open an original harness from that era. Do a search for
Volvo wiring harness rot, you'll see what I mean.
>>Volvo have used the same wiring and connector technology since the early
>>days of 240s (and probably before on 140 etc), there are plenty of them
>>around and wiring looms are not mentioned much here.
The technology was the same, but the insulation used on the wires
themselves was clearly not. There has been some debate as to whether
this was changed in '88 or '89, I believe some early '88's had the
earlier type of wire.
Tony - 18 Jan 2007 21:01 GMT
>>> James you say this alot, how many exampes have you seen? I find it
>>> hard to believe every 88 or older 740 (or whatever the year is) that
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> this was changed in '88 or '89, I believe some early '88's had the
> earlier type of wire.
Fair enough, I'll have to check my 87 360.
Could be limited to hot climates or cars with air con?
--
Tony
Mr. V - 18 Jan 2007 21:41 GMT
I have two 740's an "86 Turbo and '91 NA.
Both have original wiring, and neither requires replacement.
To troubleshoot: hook up a timing light, see if spark flashes when at
TDC.
If it does, rule out crank sensor; if not, check the sensor.
James Sweet - 19 Jan 2007 00:15 GMT
> I have two 740's an "86 Turbo and '91 NA.
>
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>
> If it does, rule out crank sensor; if not, check the sensor.
Feel the wire going to the oil pressure switch or peel back the sheath
on the large bundle under the intake manifold, if the insulation is not
crumbling I'd love to know what you did to prevent it. Washing the
engine often enough to remove any traces of spilled or leaked oil may do
it but very few people aside from me ever do that.
Mr. V - 19 Jan 2007 03:11 GMT
> Feel the wire going to the oil pressure switch or peel back the sheath
> on the large bundle under the intake manifold, if the insulation is not
> crumbling I'd love to know what you did to prevent it. Washing the
> engine often enough to remove any traces of spilled or leaked oil may do
> it but very few people aside from me ever do that.
The cars are Pac NW cars, both were well maintained, and the engine
compartments were clean when I got them.
On each car I removed the intake manifold as part of a thorough
inspection.
Each had MINOR wiring issues which I quickly addressed with electrical
tape, typically short leads to a sensor were worn, once or twice worn
away, leaving bare wire (an inch).
On each car I cut into the covered harness in several places:
everything was fine.
This was definitely NOT the scenario with the 240s I have owned, which
all required more extensive repair or replacement to sort out.
James Sweet - 19 Jan 2007 00:13 GMT
> Fair enough, I'll have to check my 87 360.
>
> Could be limited to hot climates or cars with air con?
I'm not sure this applies to the 360, weren't they made in an entirely
different factory? AC was standard on all Volvos sold in the US market
during most of the crumbly wiring era. 200 and 700 series are all we had
during that period.
The climate here in northwestern Washington is not terribly severe.