Hi,

I'm interested in getting a 1992 240 or a 240 turbo. Are there any trouble spots that I should pay attention to? How many gallons of gas do the gas tanks hold? How many HP's for the non-turbo and turbo engines?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

I own and drive (when it doesn't need fixing) an 85 240 Turbo. The cream of the crop if you will. I would never own a normally aspirated 240. Yeah, it's a PITA to fix and do routine maintenance on in some ways. But it's worth it! When you want to pass someone uphill, just pop it in third, blink, and feel the boost hit (all 10+ psi of it). Before you read any more, if you want an automatic.. go for the later normally aspirated cars. Maybe put a (hotter) VX3 cam into it. Any way you slice it, a turbo is *not* automatically more expensive to fix. In fact consider that a new turbo may run about $1200. You could easily spend that in a few years on top notch tires. A turbo can easily last 150k+ miles (say.. 15 years?) with the proper care. No way your tires will last that long. Anyways, most of the quirks (read: annoyances) you'll run into are as a result of:

- the intercooler
- the CI fuel injection (Bosch K-Jetronic)

This means:

The intercooler reduces radiator <-> engine clearance, and runs hoses everywhere. Ugh. Makes clearance by the exhaust side even tighter, and does a number on the intake side too.

Using the CI fuel injection meant that Volvo made a few quick tweaks to the old intake manifold. If you go for a B230 intake manifold upgrade, you'll get much more clearance. This makes the flame trap more difficult to get to (not that it's really easy on some of the mid 80s 240s either). The mechanical fuel injection also means that the air filter is burried under all sorts of fuel lines and such. The intercooler hoses run near by, and the funny shaped turbo "cobra" intake hoses get in the way too.

The turbo itself gets in the way of the alternator a bit, and if it's water cooled you'll have hoses in really odd places (and if you go to the dealer, they're really super spendy). Oil changes are more complicated now too (since the turbo gets in the way. Go for a remote filter setup if it drives you nuts.

If you want an automatic tranny, the (240) turbo conspires against you here too. The Turbo uses the less sophisticated Bosch Breakerless Ignition, with no knock sensor, and only a simple mechanical/vaccum advance/retard setup. This means a super low 7.5:1 compression ratio (unless you're in Europe), and a lowish stall speed torque convertor. Really a dog around town.

Go drive both.. the normally aspirated will probably be more tolerable around town. If you really want a 240, is it more important to get the extra boost from the turbo? or the finishing touches put on a 1992 model (the turbos ran until 1985)? If you want both, go search for a 740 or 760 Turbo. They have higher compression ratio engines, more advanced ignition control, electronic fuel injection (no mess of CI bits everywhere), a relocated alternator, etc. Basically a more serviceable engine.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

Hey mike,

I have a 90-240 w/o turbo. One of the reasons I own volvo is its simplicity. I wouldnt compromise that by buying one with a turbo. Just my personal pref. It makes it harder to work on(its in the way), more costly to fix. I dont need complications.



Besides, since Ive learned how to drive the darn thing, I find there is quite enough power.

Turn of the o.d. when you need extra power. Third gear will take you nicely up around 80mph. Probably more. It is a strong motor. If you need to go even faster. Install a tach and max out your rpms. The motor will take it. If its a automatic, drive it like a stick. From what I understand the gearation is set for the "average motorist". You dont have stick to that plan. (no pun intended}

We dont need no stinkin turbo!

Im sure it all comes down to personal choice. Thats just my two cents worth.

Good luck, hope you find a good one. Turbo, or non.

The 240 has a number of characteristics that a potential owner should know about, such as the famous (or infamous) blower motor; the flame trap; the big plug in the head; and many more. I find them endearing personality quirks.

One important thing is that the car will probably be good for 300k to 400k miles without major repairs. And you'll walk away from almost any accident, within reason.

1985 was the last year for a turbo 240.

The car has the right amount of power to get you safely to work and home again and to transport your family.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I have an '89 240 DL with just over 60k miles on it. Interested?

Is it a wagon, where are you, DL or GL, how much?

And what color and type of interior?
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

240 DL 4 door sedan. Beige paint w/ tan cloth. $5,500. I live in Gainesville, Florida.

i would never own a "turbo" anything. it is an extremely expensive repairable that (imho) does not deliver the extra power for the dollars involved. i have a 91 240 w/o turbo. great driver, looks great, take it out of town regularly. if you want power and speed, get a camaro

A few answers:

The fuel tank holds about 15.8 gallons US. The bhp rating for B230F n/a engine is 114. I think the turbo is 160 or so. The last turbo 240 was a 1984-1/2, and had a B21FT engne. For a B230FT engine you must go to the 700 or 900 series.


Other bricksters will come in with more precise info, hope this gets you started.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)