carburetter 1990 B230K engine

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » 09 Nov 2009, 06:32

Hi, I took my 1989 UK Volvo 240 DL off the road because of seemingly incurable carb problems (cost of replacement carb was greater than value of car) + sudden availability of 1990 example (again UK 240 DL) with half the mileage; now, five years down the line, the same problem has come back to haunt me again on the newer car, 155,000 miles on the clock. Motor runs fine when warm (33 miles per gallon at 75 mph) but tickover very rough, + prone to poor starting, flooding & misfiring when cold. A former Volvo specialist once told me that these carbs always went like this, & the only solution was to retro-fit an SU carb from a 1970s example. If so, which SU carb am I looking for?! My Volvo isn't going to see another Christmas if it keeps acting up like it is now, I just can't stand being shaken to bits every time I stop at a red light...

Local garage quotes £650 for appropriate Volvo carb, car is worth maybe £500, + it has other issues which aren't worth attending to if it won't start and run properly... Any constructive suggestions?

Reuben

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 Nov 2009, 11:14

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The Pierburg 2B5 carb was a good unit when it was new but it was prone to all sorts of problems as it aged. Unlike other carbs, parts for the Pierburg were hard to find, and now will probably be as rare as hen's teeth.

Checking through my old books I feel that you should be looking at the SU HIF6 as a replacement. This was fitted to the B23A from 1981 on although it had also been used from 1975 on the B21A, B17A and B19A. On some of the earlier models it had been fitted with a different needle.

The HIF6 was also used on various other makes, including some that were UK made vehicles. Can you remember them? That means that there is a plentiful supply of rebuilt carbs and parts to keep them going.

I have also found that the 1985 - 1990 740 with the same engine and carb as yours can be fitted with a Weber carb. You can see the info here.

I hope this is of some help.

Bill.

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » 09 Nov 2009, 23:19

Many many thanks for that Bill, it would be depressing to scrap two perfectly good Volvos in succession for the same stupid reason, especially when the current one still has 60,000 fewer miles on the clock than the last one had when I got it!

Just leaving for work now, but will start looking for suitable SU (or even Weber) units asap. For now, thanks again,

Reuben

Post by **billofdurham** » 10 Nov 2009, 12:06

You are welcome. Keep us informed.

Bill.

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » 27 Jul 2010, 06:10

OK, we have lurched and spluttered through the Winter & Spring, and now we have passed the annual inspection with only minor work, so it is time to confront the carburettor problem. I'm inclined to go for the SU carb (assuming I can find one), but nobody wants to take on the job of fitting it without knowing whether the exhaust manifold and/or air intake and/or throttle cable will also need to be changed. Since this is my only vehicle, I cannot take the risk of it being off the road for days or weeks while we make frantic telephone calls to scrapyards and specialists.

Is there any way of ascertaining compatibility of SU carb with existing fitments on the B230K engine? I don't think the existing Pierburg carb will see me through another Winter, or perhaps what I really mean is, I can't stand much more of it!

Post by **billofdurham** » 28 Jul 2010, 12:54

I have done a quick check, cross referencing carbs, intake & exhaust manifolds, throttle cables and other bits and pieces and I do think the inlet manifold and throttle cable will need to be changed to go to the SU.

The SU carb was used on the older engines, B17A, B19A, B21A & B23A. When the B230A came along there was a choice of Solex, Zenith DVG or Pierburg. The B230K appeared in 1987 with a choice of Zenith DVG or Pierburg. In 1988 this dropped to a choice of the Pierburg or 'get out and push'.

It would appear that the inlet & exhaust manifolds, throttle cables and control pulley are the same for the Zenith and the Pierburg.

I would recommend that you contact CP Motors. I have always found them to be very helpful and, more important, very knowledgeable about the older Volvos. They also carry a good stock of new and used parts.

Bill.

tambo · Post by **tambo** » 05 Aug 2010, 15:31

Done a few of these.I fitted a manifold and carb from a 240(DVG) type works best.If your lucky you can use your original throttle cable and fit a CHOKE cable to the dash .Alter the inlet hose to air filter.
Works very well.

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » 31 Jan 2011, 23:36

Thanks again for these constructive comments. I've been unwell in recent months & so has my Volvo (but both of us are still going). Frustratingly, on a run I still get 31 miles per gallon (more like 26/27 locally), but the engine won't start or tick over and sometimes it just dies. Equally frustrating is the fact that I cannot train my computer to find this excellent forum. Then when I do, it's been so long that I can't remember my code words to get in. Photograph of my car (I could also send Volvo coach images like Bill...) didn't get through despite repeated attempts. Since this site represents my best chance of keeping my Volvo on the road, especially in respect of carb problems, I'd like to treat it with the respect it deserves & keep in touch with everyone properly, I regret my computer skills appear to be inadequate. Is there a forum for people who have trouble with their Volvos and their computers too?!

Post by **billofdurham** » 01 Feb 2011, 11:10

Good to know you are still with us, but not so good to know that you are still having problems with the car.

Posting pictures is easy. It must be because I can do it. However, Matthew has provided a screencast movie to show how it is done. You can find it by clicking on 'Forum Rules' at the top of this page, scrolling down to 'The Basics' and clicking on 'How to post a photo'. If you don't have Quick Time Player on your computer you can download it from that page and all will be revealed.

Bill.

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » 03 Feb 2011, 08:19

Thanks for all this. I did contact CP Motors who were friendly & seemed knowledgeable but were unable to help. CP Motors recommended Braydon Volvo Spares in London. Braydon were again friendly & again seemed knowledgeable but again were unable to help. Nobody wanted to commit themselves to specifying a manifold or any other parts that might be needed for a smooth changeover (bearing in mind I have no other vehicle & cannot afford to be left with my car in bits at the end of an unsuccessful week-end...). Then I spoke to the SU Carburetter Co who advised that the HIF44 carb is a straight swap for the Pierburg on the B230K engine, & they have a standard "conversion kit" for this very purpose, alas the HIF44 is currently unavailable pending re-tooling. The good news (so I'm told) is that the HIF44 is used on a lot of Range Rovers so demand will justify re-tooling. Sooner or later.

I now think I have a noisy bearing in the gearbox (4-speed manual), how worried should I be? Also is Bill the same coach-driver who once fed me copious hot chocolate & other comestibles at Durham Miners' Gala? If so I owe him a Bob Newhart cd.