I'm elbow deep in this new to me S40 waiting to hear if different timing belt tensioner (supplied as part of a kit) is an update or a mistake. One of the noted problems was that the air conditioner was intermittent. It sounded a lot like the problem with our '04 V70 that was fixed with shims in the A/C clutch.

Does this car have a similar problem and solution ?

Thanks
Greg

It's easy enough to measure the clutch gap. But, don't use plastic bread clips. Find some metal to close the gap to .010 - .020.

The 'newer' design of the Evaporator has a temperature sensor 0n the gas pedal side. If the sensor goes nuts, then it needs to be replaced. Just a royal pain to get to it and test it.

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

There is about 0.025" between the center hub and the pulley.

Working on this car is kind of a royal pain. Remove the intake manifold to change the plugs ? See my comments about the water pump. Seems like they were designing them to be too expensive to repair at about 200,000 miles.

I had always assumed the S/V40 was a throw away car. A too large engine in a small engine bay, not enough room for adults in the back seat, and poor sight lines for the driver. 10 years should have been its life span.

As for the AC, the clutch gap is good. Quite difficult to test when it is below 0F. There are other factors, like the engine fan not running if the R134a is low - who designed that ought to be shot!

Take a look at the new 6 cylinder engine placement - no timing belt, so the S belt is on the driver's side and cannot be replaced without a 4 hour commitment!

Keep Xena running. And the other 240's.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

I dunno about throwaway, but I always wondered why bother with an S40/V50 when you could have a bigger S60/V70 with the same drivetrain and fuel economy?

Then I got an S40. I understand now! The smaller car is quite a bit more fun to drive, if you're into that kind of thing. Probably mostly due to the shorter wheelbase.

Trunk space is laughable though...
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XC60 / Odyssey

Never driven an S40 or even a V40 but have heard a few say they handle like a BMW. Guess I’ll have to try it someday and find out for myself.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

I always wondered if the AWD drivetrain from an S40 would bolt into a C30. Are the underpinnings the same? Could it be a 6 spd manual with AWD?? Maybe a fun project for someone with the time and energy.

I am told that this is a thing, S40/V50 T5 M66 AWD drivetrain into a C30.
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XC60 / Odyssey

" A too large engine in a small engine bay, not enough room for adults in the back seat ". Two words - Sunbeam Tiger.

Hi Klaus,
"I had always assumed the S/V40 was a throw away car" is pretty harsh from a guy's whose tagline is " Keeping it running is better than buying new ".

I don't think it is a bad car (for $200) but i do think it was designed to be thrown away at about 200,000 miles. Xena is still running and repairable after 300,00o (400,000 ?) miles. Okay, after 55 years it is needing window gaskets and some minor rust repair. And it is a lot cooler car than an S40.
Greg

If they had just used a little heavier steel in the frame rail and moved the inner surface out 3/4" it would be an easy job. Even making the inner belt cover in two pieces so it could be removed would have made it so much easier.

The 6 cylinder has the serpentine belt on the back of the motor ? I know dealer mechanics get paid by the hour but this is getting ridiculous.