My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
dying engine. But I have been told that the engine is now beyond
economical repair. And yet I discover on other Volvo sites that this
may not be the case and some owners have even effected roadside
repairs! All opinions will be considered please.
Bob :?:

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BakersT - 28 Jan 2007 18:44 GMT
> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> repairs! All opinions will be considered please.
> Bob :?:
I have an 88 240 which experienced the same unfortunate event. It did no
damage whatever to the engine, and I've been told that (at least for
this model) a broken timing belt will -never- cause damage to the valves
or head. I had my local shop replace the belt and it's been fine ever
since. I'd be very impressed by anyone who can effect a side-of-the-road
fix for this problem!
Tmac-100 - 28 Jan 2007 19:12 GMT
.......I had my local shop replace the belt and it's been fine ever
> since. I'd be very impressed by anyone who can effect a side-of-the-road
> fix for this problem!
A side of the road repair could actually be easier than done in a garage
(with poor lighting, or with a trouble light for added light). The
sunlight can provide lots of illumination. The tools are not the issue.
The issue is enough light to see the timing mark on the crankshaft
"pulley". Just some tools - AND a nail to keep the belt tensioner in
place while putting the belt on ...
Naturally, I assume (in my climate) that the work at the side of the
road would be done when the temps are above +10C :-)
Ken, Canada
James Sweet - 28 Jan 2007 19:54 GMT
> .......I had my local shop replace the belt and it's been fine ever
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Naturally, I assume (in my climate) that the work at the side of the
> road would be done when the temps are above +10C :-)
The last 240 timing belt replacement I did was out in my driveway using
basic hand tools. It could be done on the side of the road if I happened
to have a socket set in the car.
Andy - 29 Jan 2007 01:06 GMT
I was afraid someone would suggest the timing belt "roadside repair" would
involve a handy pair of pantyhose ("tights" in the
UK).............................
Andy I.
: The last 240 timing belt replacement I did was out in my driveway using
: basic hand tools. It could be done on the side of the road if I happened
: to have a socket set in the car.
James Sweet - 28 Jan 2007 19:55 GMT
> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> repairs! All opinions will be considered please.
> Bob :?:
North American market 240s all have non-interference engines, so a
broken belt will cause no damage. The 16 valve motor used in a few of
the 740s is a different story.
Michael Pardee - 29 Jan 2007 03:35 GMT
> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> repairs! All opinions will be considered please.
> Bob :?:
This has been thoroughly examined over the years. I suppose the concern
comes from Gates saying the engine is interference
http://www.gates.com/part_locator/index.cfm?location_id=3598 but probably
the top level expert to appear here (Paul Grimshaw, author of The Gothenburg
Bible) listed the clearances with all available cams; even with the hottest
cam available it is definitely non-interference. In addition, although
crashed engines are legion in alt.autos.honda (where the engines are
definitely interference) I have never seen a post that related a crashed B23
engine.
Mike
M-gineering - 29 Jan 2007 09:22 GMT
>I suppose the concern
> comes from Gates saying the engine is interference
>I have never seen a post that related a crashed B23
> engine.
ISTR B200's (8 valve flat head, combustionchamber in piston design) are
interference

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Marten
JohnRobertson - 29 Jan 2007 13:53 GMT
> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> repairs! All opinions will be considered please.
> Bob :?:
its a simple job as your engine hasn't the interference design .cost me
$100au dollars took very little time . the twin over head cam engine is
the problem one the 240 is easy .
Mr. V - 29 Jan 2007 16:15 GMT
http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/
EngineSealsBeltsVent.htm#InterferenceEngines
bildabob - 01 Feb 2007 01:26 GMT
Many thanks to all who took the trouble to answer my query. Perhaps i
should add that the 240 in question is for the UK market and ..it sez
on the engine plate.. a B200E model. :!
> bildabob wrote:
> > My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> engine is
> the problem one the 240 is easy .

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James Sweet - 01 Feb 2007 04:26 GMT
> Many thanks to all who took the trouble to answer my query. Perhaps i
> should add that the 240 in question is for the UK market and ..it sez
> on the engine plate.. a B200E model. :!:
In that case I have no idea, but I'd try putting a new belt on and see
how it runs.
M-gineering - 01 Feb 2007 07:15 GMT
>> Many thanks to all who took the trouble to answer my query. Perhaps i
>> should add that the 240 in question is for the UK market and ..it sez
>> on the engine plate.. a B200E model. :!:
>
> In that case I have no idea, but I'd try putting a new belt on and see
> how it runs.
Pretty pointless, given that this is an interference engine- without a
headswap

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Marten
Michael Pardee - 02 Feb 2007 03:53 GMT
> Many thanks to all who took the trouble to answer my query. Perhaps i
> should add that the 240 in question is for the UK market and ..it sez
> on the engine plate.. a B200E model. :!:
Ahh... a check of the valve clearances will give good clues as to the extent
of the damage. Any that are suspiciously wide indicate a bent valve.
Mike
z - 02 Feb 2007 19:21 GMT
> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
> Thread archive:http://www.AutoBoardz.com/240-timing-belt-busted-ftopict204728.html
I don't think you can do anything to an 88 vintage volvo non-turbo 4
that would make it beyond economical repair, including lubricating it
with carborundum suspended in nitric acid.
John Horner - 03 Feb 2007 20:55 GMT
>> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
>> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
>> dying engine. But I have been told that the engine is now beyond
>> economical repair.
The 240 engine is a non-interference design, which means that even when
the valves and pistons get out of their correct relationship nothing
will hit and nothing should be damaged.
A shop which tells you otherwise doesn't know what they are doing
visa-vis older Volvos. 850, 960 and newer all indeed can have massive
internal damage from a failed timing belt.
If you are not prepared to DIY the belt replacement, make sure that
whoever does it is someone who works on Volvos all the time. You don't
want anyone learning at your expense.
John
James Sweet - 04 Feb 2007 04:39 GMT
>>> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
>>> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> John
He said this is a B200E, is that still non interference? I'm not
familiar with that engine since we never had it over here.
Andy - 04 Feb 2007 07:38 GMT
Hi, maybe this will help answer some of the questions:
Description
a..
b.. B200E,B230E: fuel injection high compression version
General Specifications
Engine Year CC Fuel System HP (SAE) @RPM LB-ft (SAE) @RPM CR
B200E 1985-
1986 Bosch K jet 117 6000 117 3000 10
Tune-Up Specifications
Engine Year Idle RPM Spark Plugs Type Plug Gap (in.) Timing BTDC @ RPM
Valve Clearance Cold Warm Cranking Compression (PSI)
B200E 1985-
1986 W6DC 0.030 10@ 0.014 - 0.016
It's all I could find.
Good luck "bildabob".
Andy I.
: >>> My 88 240 gently coasted to a halt recently and I discovered that the
: >>> timing belt had busted. No nasty crunchy noises were heard from the
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
: He said this is a B200E, is that still non interference? I'm not
: familiar with that engine since we never had it over here.
z - 05 Feb 2007 16:43 GMT
> Hi, maybe this will help answer some of the questions:
>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> : He said this is a B200E, is that still non interference? I'm not
> : familiar with that engine since we never had it over here.
Well, it coesn't cost much to replace the timing belt; if it runs fine
after that, then obviously it's money well invested. If it's crunched
up, then you haven't invested too much to find out.
John Horner - 06 Feb 2007 03:49 GMT
> He said this is a B200E, is that still non interference? I'm not
> familiar with that engine since we never had it over here.
I don't think it makes a difference, but I'm not 100% certain.