Impossible to find a diesel Volvo 940/740? HELP!
Discussion
Apologies OP.
Still, it's a Volvo, even if it hasn't moved for a decade a good service and a set of discs and pads should be good enough.
Probably.
They are a solid old bus. Look for rust around the rear arches and sills and underneath along the jacking points. I don't know a great deal about the 2.4 straight six diesel other than it wasn't the best of engines even in the 1980's.
Parts for them are pretty cheap, I tend to get my bits from Skandix in Germany. Much cheaper than in the UK and they deliver within a couple of days. Plus they seem to have everything.
Good luck with your hunt OP.
Still, it's a Volvo, even if it hasn't moved for a decade a good service and a set of discs and pads should be good enough.
Probably.
They are a solid old bus. Look for rust around the rear arches and sills and underneath along the jacking points. I don't know a great deal about the 2.4 straight six diesel other than it wasn't the best of engines even in the 1980's.
Parts for them are pretty cheap, I tend to get my bits from Skandix in Germany. Much cheaper than in the UK and they deliver within a couple of days. Plus they seem to have everything.
Good luck with your hunt OP.
OP, as you've found out, older Volvos with diesel engines are rare beasts.
They were VERY expensive when new - I'm sure I read somewhere that in the case of the 850, the oil burners cost more than the top spec T5/R models! Also, not many were sold back in the 1980s/90s compared to the petrol variants as the whole 'drive a diesel and save the planet' bleeding heart b
ks hadn't really taken off.
Have a look on the Volvo Owners Club website… you might get lucky and find a well looked after car.
Best of luck as they are nice cars and will do intergalactic mileages if looked after.
They were VERY expensive when new - I'm sure I read somewhere that in the case of the 850, the oil burners cost more than the top spec T5/R models! Also, not many were sold back in the 1980s/90s compared to the petrol variants as the whole 'drive a diesel and save the planet' bleeding heart b
ks hadn't really taken off. Have a look on the Volvo Owners Club website… you might get lucky and find a well looked after car.
Best of luck as they are nice cars and will do intergalactic mileages if looked after.
I had one of these as my first car. Very slow and liked its oil (3000mile oil changes btw) but pulled anything behind it.
Rare cars though and many will have been abused in their lifetimes. I would still suggest a petrol redblock but just keep your eyes out for a one if you are stuck on having a disesl. The itnercooler version would be even better if you can find them but very rare unit.
Rare cars though and many will have been abused in their lifetimes. I would still suggest a petrol redblock but just keep your eyes out for a one if you are stuck on having a disesl. The itnercooler version would be even better if you can find them but very rare unit.
Faust66 said:
They were VERY expensive when new - I'm sure I read somewhere that in the case of the 850, the oil burners cost more than the top spec T5/R models! Also, not many were sold back in the 1980s/90s compared to the petrol variants as the whole 'drive a diesel and save the planet' bleeding heart bks hadn't really taken off.
This is why you're having a problem. They were very expensive, very slow, not at all pleasant to drive. If you were buying one you did it knowing that you were going to make your money back, ie you were going to do absolutely massive mileage in the thing in fairly short order. It's quite possible that there are literally none left now in a half decent condition.ks hadn't really taken off. I gather than the 5 pot 2.5 VAG unit in the 850/V70 and very early P2 V70 diesel models isn't brilliant either in terms of robustness, but probably more common.
dme123 said:
It's quite possible that there are literally none left now in a half decent condition.
I'm pretty sure a guy posted on here trying to find an 80's Pug and it turned out there were none left at all, absolutely extinct! This doesn't bode well for survival rates...
"There was also a little known turbodiesel variant- never very common, it used the VW LT 2.4 litre straight six (D24t) and even rarer, with an intercooler (D24tic). This engine requires meticulous servicing using quality parts if it is to remain reliable, oil and timing belt changes carried out on the button. They can overheat, heads can crack, and they are not very easy engines to work on. there are two timing belts, which require volvo special tools to change, and use bucket and shim tappets which are meant to be checked every 25000 miles. In its favour, it sounds good, has plenty of torque (more than the 2.0 petrol) and is potentially the most economical 740 you can buy, 40 mpg being attainable. if looked after 500,000 miles has been seen"
SuperHangOn said:
I'm pretty sure a guy posted on here trying to find an 80's Pug and it turned out there were none left at all, absolutely extinct!
This doesn't bode well for survival rates...
"There was also a little known turbodiesel variant- never very common, it used the VW LT 2.4 litre straight six (D24t) and even rarer, with an intercooler (D24tic). This engine requires meticulous servicing using quality parts if it is to remain reliable, oil and timing belt changes carried out on the button. They can overheat, heads can crack, and they are not very easy engines to work on. there are two timing belts, which require volvo special tools to change, and use bucket and shim tappets which are meant to be checked every 25000 miles. In its favour, it sounds good, has plenty of torque (more than the 2.0 petrol) and is potentially the most economical 740 you can buy, 40 mpg being attainable. if looked after 500,000 miles has been seen"
Sounds bloody terribleThis doesn't bode well for survival rates...
"There was also a little known turbodiesel variant- never very common, it used the VW LT 2.4 litre straight six (D24t) and even rarer, with an intercooler (D24tic). This engine requires meticulous servicing using quality parts if it is to remain reliable, oil and timing belt changes carried out on the button. They can overheat, heads can crack, and they are not very easy engines to work on. there are two timing belts, which require volvo special tools to change, and use bucket and shim tappets which are meant to be checked every 25000 miles. In its favour, it sounds good, has plenty of torque (more than the 2.0 petrol) and is potentially the most economical 740 you can buy, 40 mpg being attainable. if looked after 500,000 miles has been seen"
No. When running well they sound great. I had a VW LT35D in the 90's with the non-turbo version of this engine. My brother's mate was involved in testing this engine for VW at Ricardo. Biggest problem is that middle two cylinders run hotter than outer four. Any loss of coolant leading to overheating is likely to warp the head. Also known to crack between valve seats rendering the head as fit for scrap.
SuperHangOn said:
I'm pretty sure a guy posted on here trying to find an 80's Pug and it turned out there were none left at all, absolutely extinct!
This doesn't bode well for survival rates...
"There was also a little known turbodiesel variant- never very common, it used the VW LT 2.4 litre straight six (D24t) and even rarer, with an intercooler (D24tic). This engine requires meticulous servicing using quality parts if it is to remain reliable, oil and timing belt changes carried out on the button. They can overheat, heads can crack, and they are not very easy engines to work on. there are two timing belts, which require volvo special tools to change, and use bucket and shim tappets which are meant to be checked every 25000 miles. In its favour, it sounds good, has plenty of torque (more than the 2.0 petrol) and is potentially the most economical 740 you can buy, 40 mpg being attainable. if looked after 500,000 miles has been seen"
This doesn't bode well for survival rates...
"There was also a little known turbodiesel variant- never very common, it used the VW LT 2.4 litre straight six (D24t) and even rarer, with an intercooler (D24tic). This engine requires meticulous servicing using quality parts if it is to remain reliable, oil and timing belt changes carried out on the button. They can overheat, heads can crack, and they are not very easy engines to work on. there are two timing belts, which require volvo special tools to change, and use bucket and shim tappets which are meant to be checked every 25000 miles. In its favour, it sounds good, has plenty of torque (more than the 2.0 petrol) and is potentially the most economical 740 you can buy, 40 mpg being attainable. if looked after 500,000 miles has been seen"
Diesels were rare back in those days, most 940 were 2.0 petrol or 2.3 petrol. You wont find one of these cars from a dealer now as too old, too rare.
I had a 1 owner Wentworth 940 turbo estate a few years back I think I paid £350 for it with FSH from volvo, was a robust old tank but cant imagine why you'd want to buy one in 2015?
Have you considered an Omega diesel, same old school RWD fairly basic but robust design, but about 10 -20 years younger than a 740/940/V90.
I had a 1 owner Wentworth 940 turbo estate a few years back I think I paid £350 for it with FSH from volvo, was a robust old tank but cant imagine why you'd want to buy one in 2015?
Have you considered an Omega diesel, same old school RWD fairly basic but robust design, but about 10 -20 years younger than a 740/940/V90.
As already mentioned they are largely crap. They aren't desperately economic, and whilst sound lovely when revved are pretty pedestrian in their performance. They are very noisy when cold, very heavy, unrefined and prone to drinking oil at an alarming rate - get a Volvo designed 2.3 turbo intercooler red block petrol or the later VAG sourced 5pot diesel found in the 850 or v/s70 - most people get the diesel timing wrong on the 740/940 when they set them up making them very unresponsive
Hey Fathead!
Don't listen to these messengers of doom and follow your heart.
I bought a 940 turbo diesel 1994 model from a friend who had bought it new. I followed it all the way to Munich at 124 mph with four people and all their ski luggage on board when he owned it.
He sold it to me at 170,000 miles with nothing mechanical done to it apart from servicing.
I have taken it to 262,000 on its original clutch, injectors, everything apart from the exhaust system tail pipe and even then it was only the end of the tail pipe that had rusted and not the silencer.
At 260,000 though I was driving along the M180 with a trailer and the engine temperature gauge shot over to maximum. It became apparent that the radiator had disintegrated completely due to age but I had to drive it with no water for another three miles to exit the motorway, and towing a large but empty trailer.
Had it recovered and feared the worst engine scenario. Cracked head or block even. However new radiator £100 stuck it on and it is fine.
At about 200,000 it was smoking a bit on acceleration and a German University professor told me to add half a tank full of palm oil on a hot day when the engine was also hot. He said that because it burns in a different way, or perhaps at a different temperature it would remove the deposits. This it did in spectacular fashion and now it runs clean.
It really has quite impressive performance as a turbo diesel, reasonable acceleration, easy motorway cruise and does 40 mpg on a run and 35 round and about.
One of the things you appreciate about these cars is how light and airy they are after the claustrophobic modern cars.
You are not having mine, it's a keeper! But keep on searching.
Don't listen to these messengers of doom and follow your heart.
I bought a 940 turbo diesel 1994 model from a friend who had bought it new. I followed it all the way to Munich at 124 mph with four people and all their ski luggage on board when he owned it.
He sold it to me at 170,000 miles with nothing mechanical done to it apart from servicing.
I have taken it to 262,000 on its original clutch, injectors, everything apart from the exhaust system tail pipe and even then it was only the end of the tail pipe that had rusted and not the silencer.
At 260,000 though I was driving along the M180 with a trailer and the engine temperature gauge shot over to maximum. It became apparent that the radiator had disintegrated completely due to age but I had to drive it with no water for another three miles to exit the motorway, and towing a large but empty trailer.
Had it recovered and feared the worst engine scenario. Cracked head or block even. However new radiator £100 stuck it on and it is fine.
At about 200,000 it was smoking a bit on acceleration and a German University professor told me to add half a tank full of palm oil on a hot day when the engine was also hot. He said that because it burns in a different way, or perhaps at a different temperature it would remove the deposits. This it did in spectacular fashion and now it runs clean.
It really has quite impressive performance as a turbo diesel, reasonable acceleration, easy motorway cruise and does 40 mpg on a run and 35 round and about.
One of the things you appreciate about these cars is how light and airy they are after the claustrophobic modern cars.
You are not having mine, it's a keeper! But keep on searching.
This chap had the same one in stock recently (twice) and it looked a beauty.
http://www.authenticautos.co.uk/
I bet he knows where it is now...
http://www.authenticautos.co.uk/
I bet he knows where it is now...
Thanks for the advice on what other cars to get everyone, appreciated, but completely the opposite of what this thread was for.
As now stated multiple times, I'm after a 740 or 940. I'm not after an omega, or a bmw, or a Peugeot.
I'm a fan of st cars, and a fan of making them work.
previous st cars that worked, both mechanically and aesthetically:
"ruined" "dangerous mate" "kill someone, that" etc
Having a st car/underdog is just interesting, and it sets a challenge and gives my projects a real genuine "destination" which is to live with them and make them work and work really well. The lack of support, knowledge, spares and fan following means I get to use my own ingenuity and use my noggin, figure out things, make things, fix things, and generally engage more with a car than reading how to do something on a forum and repeating in my own car.
All I know about the diesels is that, if well maintained, like the notoriously mozzarella-like rover K series, they will last forever.
I'm ready for it, I shouldn't need to explain the reasons for wanting a car to anyone without any prompting except myself.I could ask why everyone here wanted whatever they drive, but I don't care. You like your car, so everyone's happy. You wanted it, because you wanted it.
I just want one.
Plus, how filthy does this sound....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6V1Bt06gn8
As now stated multiple times, I'm after a 740 or 940. I'm not after an omega, or a bmw, or a Peugeot.
I'm a fan of s
t cars, and a fan of making them work. previous s
t cars that worked, both mechanically and aesthetically:"ruined" "dangerous mate" "kill someone, that" etc
Having a s
t car/underdog is just interesting, and it sets a challenge and gives my projects a real genuine "destination" which is to live with them and make them work and work really well. The lack of support, knowledge, spares and fan following means I get to use my own ingenuity and use my noggin, figure out things, make things, fix things, and generally engage more with a car than reading how to do something on a forum and repeating in my own car.All I know about the diesels is that, if well maintained, like the notoriously mozzarella-like rover K series, they will last forever.
I'm ready for it, I shouldn't need to explain the reasons for wanting a car to anyone without any prompting except myself.I could ask why everyone here wanted whatever they drive, but I don't care. You like your car, so everyone's happy. You wanted it, because you wanted it.
I just want one.
Plus, how filthy does this sound....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6V1Bt06gn8
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff