why won't it start

ascmyworld · Post by **ascmyworld** » 04 Jan 2010, 14:35

I have a 90 740 gl wagon. About a week ago while driving it just died on me. We checked the usual things to check. Still no start. Our neighbor looked into the oil reservoir and said the camshaft wasn't turning. Could this be the culprit or is it something else?

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Jan 2010, 14:41

Camshaft wasn't turning? Sounds like a broken timing belt! Pull the cover off and look - luckily on these cars it doesn't destroy the whole engine

What's the "usual" things you checked?

ascmyworld · Post by **ascmyworld** » 04 Jan 2010, 16:29

put in gas, oil, fuses. general things. now this car had a new motor put in when i don't know was told that when i bought the car. everyone is asking (repair places) me if it is SOHC or DOHC? I can't find it so I do I know?

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Jan 2010, 17:23

It depends what other kind of car the donor engine came out of. Yours came with the SOHC engine, but if it was replaced with a DOHC from the more powerful GLE model, that would change things.

I know that this couldn't be done between 8V and 16V Saab's of the same generation, but the wiring on the Volvo might be the same.

See if you can find me the engine serial number and I can run it through VADIS. It's stamped onto the block of most cars. I don't know the visual differences, if any, from the two engines.

Post by **billofdurham** » 05 Jan 2010, 12:21

#1 is SOHC, #2 is DOHC.

The DOHC is an interference engine.

: Photo0002.jpg (58.01 KiB) Viewed 859 times

Bill.

ascmyworld · Post by **ascmyworld** » 05 Jan 2010, 19:44

my car has been sitting for a week and I went out today to get the #'s and i couldn't get the hood open. it is tricky to get the hood latch to open it. by guess which i know isn't good it looks like a SOHC. I will have to find a way to get the hood open. Where is the best place to take it that isn't going to charge a crap load of money to fix it? or is it something you can do yourself?

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Jan 2010, 20:08

If it's anything like my car, you'll have to have someone pull up on the hood (or push down, depending) while pulling the hood latch. The cable at the pull latch inside the car just needs to be adjusted, and the bumpers where the hood latches down are adjustable on some of the older cars - just not my S70.

If it's a SOHC, you're in luck! Your engine's not destroyed - pretty much any garage do a timing belt if their mechanics are any good, I had one done on an old Honda at a local tire place - and now that you know call around your area and get a couple estimates. Those old Volvo motors are very accessible, and it's probably very easy to do it yourself if you're good with a wrench!

The hardest part of a timing belt is getting the crankshaft marks to line up again. Pull the cover off and have a look around for yourself, and then you can decide whether to DIY or take it somewhere!

This write-up is for a 240, but it's the same engine you have.
http://www.stepbystepvolvo.com/Resource ... 0print.pdf

Be patient...it's a huge PDF, froze my computer for a minute

ascmyworld · Post by **ascmyworld** » 05 Jan 2010, 21:08

I would like to do it myself but i don't think all of my male family members think i could. I just can't seem to find someone that I can take it to. I have so far only got success with 2 places one was a Volvo guy and he wanted 285 next was Midus and it was quoted being DOHC $400+. We don't have money for this right now. So how do I know who should be right to do this? My father wants to but he is a wanna-be mechanic and i don't want him fiddling with this when he really doesn't know how to do it. Don't get me wrong I appreciate it but we need this car.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Jan 2010, 11:36

The step by step is very comprehensive but is for the non B230 engine, ie the B23 series. Whilst a lot of it can be used for the B230 some, especially with regard to the crankshaft pulley, is out of date.

Here are two links to do with replacing the belt on the B230. 2 or 7 series the procedure is the same.

Timing belt replacement B230 and Crankshaft holding tool.
Replacing the belt is straightforward and, apart from the holding tool, can be done with basic tools.

Bill.