'91 940 Turbo Wagon not accelerating over 30? Bad motor?

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 20 Aug 2015, 18:29

New to older RWD Volvos, and I'm looking at possibly purchasing a 1991 940 wagon. It's a turbo, and the owner claims it has a bad motor, but it still runs. The car isn't in terrific shape, but I just can't pass up at least looking at it for the price (it's a REALLY good price).
I know I can't know for sure until I look at it, but before I waste my time, I'd like to ask the opinions of those who know these cars. He says the car runs, and it won't go much over 30 mph. I am thinking it may be some sort of compression issue, but I'm probably wrong. Could this problem be caused by a bad turbocharger? I'd like to think that the engine is still good, because I'd rather not go through swapping the motor.

jetlag · Post by **jetlag** » 20 Aug 2015, 19:16

You may have the same issue I just ran into. My car had a very bad boost leak. I just made a thread about it :-p

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 20 Aug 2015, 19:48

jetlag wrote:You may have the same issue I just ran into. My car had a very bad boost leak. I just made a thread about it :-p

Sounds ridiculous, but I hope so. If I could get away with just fixing the turbo, I'm in good shape!

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 20 Aug 2015, 21:30

Clogged catalytic converter?

Post by **bskeels** » 20 Aug 2015, 23:04

I just repaired my father's 93 with similar issues, I found that the head gasket blew a hole between the 2 and 3 cylinders. If you can maybe try a compression test. I found that the block and head were still flat and true via a local engine shop, but the gasket had a 1/2" wide gap in it.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 21 Aug 2015, 13:59

bskeels wrote:I just repaired my father's 93 with similar issues, I found that the head gasket blew a hole between the 2 and 3 cylinders. If you can maybe try a compression test. I found that the block and head were still flat and true via a local engine shop, but the gasket had a 1/2" wide gap in it.

How do you figure that? No damage to the block or head? Hopefully I can check this car out, and it will turn out to be something like that. I'd like to buy a compression tester, as I don't have one, and it would be something good to have on hand. I'm sure this won't be the only time I'll need it!

Post by **bskeels** » 21 Aug 2015, 21:33

I found no damage to the engine either, I unfortunately started with tune up, timing, fuel pressure, fuel and air filters, plugs, etc. and I still could not get it to move any better, except down hill. I then checked compression, I don't remember exact numbers but I had something like 160 in the first and fourth cylinders, and 35 in both middle cylinders, the I started tare down and found the gasket with the blow through. For ease of mind, I had both the head and engine checked at the machine shop, they were still good, so I cleaned things up and started to put it back together.

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 21 Aug 2015, 22:06

bskeels wrote:I found no damage to the engine either, I unfortunately started with tune up, timing, fuel pressure, fuel and air filters, plugs, etc. and I still could not get it to move any better, except down hill. I then checked compression, I don't remember exact numbers but I had something like 160 in the first and fourth cylinders, and 35 in both middle cylinders, the I started tare down and found the gasket with the blow through. For ease of mind, I had both the head and engine checked at the machine shop, they were still good, so I cleaned things up and started to put it back together.

The low compression on adjoining cylinders was an indicator of a blown head gasket between those clyinders. That's why the compression test is important.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 21 Aug 2015, 22:59

lummert wrote:
bskeels wrote:low compression on adjoining cylinders...

I had a head gasket go, but compression was normal in all four...pressure in radiator fill tank, with engine running, was the clue.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 Aug 2015, 15:39

Well, I emailed the guy (no phone number available), and hopefully he'll get back to me quickly. If all goes well, I'm going to look at the car tomorrow, and we'll see what happens from there. And if it keeps going well, I'll have a nice(-ish) turbo brick in my driveway tomorrow.