I attempted to clean the engine on my 1985 240 wagon......when i got up this morn to start it ....i just coughs and rumbles and wont start ......help !!!!

philly240,,I clean my engine couple times a year. Try not to direct the water at the Electrical stuff..I always start right after I wash and then wipe down. Most times water at or in the DIST. cap. Fuse ? I doubt it..Keep that engine clean..Happy New Year,,,
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john,,1985, 245:GLTi 246k mi..so.california

Dry the injector harness connectors for each cylinder. Wipe them dry, I mean.

Start by taking the distributor cap off to let it dry out.

Most likely is that the cap, wires, coil are wet. Remove the cap, rotor, and wires, including the coil wire, and thoroughly clean them. I've been known to toss 'em in the dishwasher when wife wasn't looking -- works like a charm. However, you must be sure that they're completely free of soap and thoroughly rinsed. And thoroughly dry.

You can wash down the coil tower with cleaner or Windex, but then be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse with clean, clean, clean water. And dry, dry, dry.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one brave (ignorant,crazy - insert appropriate adjective) to risk the ol' lady's wrath doin' things like this. The stupidist(?) thing I did was to use the oven to cure a pair of exhaust manifolds I had just sandblasted and sprayed with hi-temp paint. Needles to say the entire house reeked to high heaven...

Justin B.
83 244

Let's do a reality check ----- I bought, paid for, and installed the dishwasher, soooo......

.....that means I get to do the dishes. Which also means I control which dishes go "on standby" when something more important comes along, such as a few random hubcaps....

"...cure a pair of exhaust manifolds I had just sandblasted and sprayed with hi-temp paint. Needles to say the entire house reeked to high heaven..."

I bet it smelled better than baked-on beef stew, which smokes up the whole house for two weeks....
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Hey Don, If your wife sees that photo, you had better get some blankets ready in the back of one of your bricks.

----------Robert

Naahhh.... I'm not worried 'bout a few wires.

It's when she catches the hubcaps next to her "good" china that I start to sweat. If she gets REALLY angry, she might damage the hubcaps.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Can we say "Fosterize the hubcaps","Fosterize the spark plug cables"..LOL!! IO think I will do just that to my "new 86 240DL" that's awaiting headgasket replacement...Thanks for the never ending Volvo tips!!!
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T.. http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1

Sure, but here's a tip. If you toss plastic hubcaps in the dishwasher, turn off the heat drying cycle. It might soften the plastic. The metal hubcaps wash fine, take my word for it.

If you're yanking the head from your '86, be sure to install a new plug in the rear of it, and consider a retaining strap across it. You can buy one from IPD for $15-20, or you can make one from a scrap of aluminum flat stock for $0.

Thanks but pardon my ignorance..what plug? is it on the cylinder head? I'm sorry the picture did not show on my pc..and anything you can share is appreciated. I just bought a Haynes manual and presently reading/studying the procedures of removing/installing cylinder head..The biggest DYI i've done was engine wiring harness replacement. I have not replaced any Tbelts yet and I'm intimidated w/ the forthcoming job..Thanks a lot!!
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T 86 244 DL w/ Blown Head Gasket... http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1

The plug on a B230 is a hole, approximately 2" in diameter, where the distributor mounts if the engine is used in a 700 series car. (In that case, the hole on the lower front left of the block receives the plug.)

The plug fits by friction only. Sometimes excessive crankcase pressure can dislodge the plug, and then you have an enormous oil leak, and this can occur even after you've cleaned up the cranlkcase ventilation system ("flame trap" and associated plumbing). This happened to my daughter in her (now my) '86 246 about 100 miles from home on a Sunday midnight on the turnpike where NO help was available. It was about 10 degrees and 20 mph wind. Fortunately, I had a new plug and she had her cellphone. That was in '97, and my hands are still cold.

My picture shows the dimensions for a strap. Aside from a scrap of aluminum flat stock (or oak or maple) you need only two 6-mm bolts from the junk box.

Click here to see the plug.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Rey -

The plug Don speaks of is in the back of the head. It is the lower half of a hole allowing the camshaft to drive the 700 series distributor. Volvo made all B230 heads and cam covers to be able to have that distributor. So the 240s with the B230 get a plug in the hole. It has been reported on the BB to blow out with major oil leak as result. And, putting that plug and strap on the head is sooooooooo much easier with the head on a bench.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

When will your next meet be?? Please post in the opinion section amybe we could organize something together??
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T.. http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1

Pop the distributor cap off and dry off the inside. Pull the plug wires (1 at a time to be safe) and dry off the contact ends. Chances are, that's all it needs. Worst case, you've blown thru some decayed wire insulation and created a short.

In general, it's not a good idea to direct a stream of water at the engine, especially the electical and fuel injection components.

thanks ...in the worst case scenerio what would have blown ? fuel relay ? voltage reg ?

All of the above or none of the above...Just keep drying and keep your fingers crossed and promise not to do it again :)..
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T.. http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1