242 Turbo Reliability

kindervater · Post by **kindervater** » 16 Apr 2009, 14:33

Hi guys, I am thinking about buying a 1981 240 coupe (242) w/ 160k for about $1000, in good mechanical shape per seller. I was wondering if anyone could comment on the reliability of this car vs a non-turbo 240. Also, any things in particular to look for when testing this car out?

Thanks!
-Ryan

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Apr 2009, 15:40

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The engine, B21FT, is a good reliable unit but the turbo, a Garrett T3 is a large unit which is prone to 'turbo lag'. The gearbox should be the AW71 which is three speed with overdrive and lock up torque converter.

If the car has been regularly serviced you should have few problems.

Bill.

kindervater · Post by **kindervater** » 19 Apr 2009, 21:52

Thanks for the info Bill,

It turns out the car is not turbo, but a regular 242.

The car drove well when testing, and had many recent repairs, including new clutch, so I bought it.

15min into drive home stopped for gas and noticed oil dipstick popped out, spraying oil all over engine bay. Jimmy-rigged a secure for it out of hose clamps and drove carefully home...

Thanks to this board, I figured it must have had a clogged flame trap. When trying to install replacement flame trap, I found that the car is missing one! Also missing multiple vacuum line connections.

I connected the vacuum hoses and flame trap after looking at diagrams, took car for test drive. I forgot to take off E-brake, and now car makes grinding/clunking sound when going into gear, and even when I get it into gear there is almost no acceleration when given gas, just loud engine revs...

So frustrated at this point, I think I'm going tow it to mechanic tomorrow

Any thoughts of what I'll be in for? Syncros? Another clutch? Timing belt?

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Apr 2009, 11:36

If you didn't have bad luck you would have no luck at all.

That is a very sorry tale.

What you describe is most likely a slipping clutch. It is definitely not a timing belt as the engine wouldn't start.

Is the e-brake warning light not working or did you just not see it?

Bill.

kindervater · Post by **kindervater** » 20 Apr 2009, 18:32

The light doesn't work! Oh well, car is at the shop now... Waiting to hear what the damages are. Could just need a clutch adjustment is what I'm telling myself.

Still, it is such a nice car to drive... when it drives.