240DL 2.3L - 1983 - Smog/Emissions testing

sverige_cruz · Post by **sverige_cruz** » 07 Apr 2009, 09:00

Hello fellow Volvo enthusiasts!

1st post - Virgin Volvo owner, though I did spend some years in Sweden, so I don't know if that counts for anything. As well as tidying up my vehicle, repairing the busted OD 4th gear sw, some electrical problems, and such, I have the following continuing issue:

I recently purchased an un-loved 1983 242DL. Since I'm in California, and I'm doing the change of ownership thing, I need to have it pass smog. It has ~190,000 miles on it, new sparkplugs/wires, new O2 sensor, cleaned out air mass sensor, changed oil. I took it to a shop where my cousin knows the mechanic. He did a pretest and everything passed but the timing. I took the car back home and set the timing, took it to another shop, and now the NOx levels are through the roof (everything else is good).

Anyone have any hints as to what I should be looking into now? I have the Volvo bug and won't give up that easy.

Thanks for any and all help!
- Jesus

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Apr 2009, 12:33

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Lived in Sweden - hmmm. Should have acquired a repair manual from the factory.

Which engine is fitted: B23E or B23F?

My first reaction was to suggest that, as the emissions were OK before you reset the timing, you put the timing back to the original setting to get through the test.

Bill.

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 07 Apr 2009, 13:35

billofdurham wrote:
My first reaction was to suggest that, as the emissions were OK before you reset the timing, you put the timing back to the original setting to get through the test.

Bill.

That's a good thought there, Bill. But in the State of California, they will fail the car even if the measured emissions pass if the timing mark is not to specification.

Now, back to this 240: When the car passed the original pretest, was the timing mark advanced or retarded before readjustment?

If it was advanced, I would suspect that the vibration dampener on the crankshaft pulley has failed and the timing mark is no longer in it's proper place on the pulley. By the way, has the timing belt been replaced recently?

Search this forum for my post on ignition timing and smog failure dated a few months ago to see what I went through on my 740 to get it to pass California smog. In fact, I will find it myself and updated it so it will be visible without much searching.

sverige_cruz · Post by **sverige_cruz** » 07 Apr 2009, 14:36

Lived in Sweden - hmmm. Should have acquired a repair manual from the factory.

Yeah... if I could have only known. I did come back with a wife though...

Now, back to this 240: When the car passed the original pretest, was the timing mark advanced or retarded before readjustment?

It was advanced, sitting about 25 or so... retarded it to the specified 12. As a note, the NOx was borderline on the pretest. Since retarding the timing, both HC and CO went down.

The timing belt (as far as I know) was not changed recently. Might it need be? I'm finding little things with this car every day, as would be expected from a neglected 240.

Thanks for the advice so far guys - should I be checking for vacuum leaks and such, as well?

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Apr 2009, 15:35

I would suspect that the vibration dampener on the crankshaft pulley has failed

Chris, that was my first thought, remembering the joy you had with yours, and I started to type it in. However, the vibration dampener wasn't fitted until 1985 when the B230 engine came out. That was why I asked which engine was fitted, B23E or B23F, hoping the reply would be to the effect that the engine had been changed and was a B230. We didn't get that question answered.

However, a little more research shows the B23E was fitted to Canadian market and the B23F was fitted to the US market cars.

The timing belt could be causing problems if it has jumped a tooth or two. On the B23 engines it is easy to visually check the condition of the belt by removing the timing cover. The timing belt should be changed every 45,000 miles.

Check for vacuum leaks and change the air filter if needed, not mentioned in the list of things done. You also haven't said how the car runs. Any faltering, stumbling, high or low idle, easy or hard to start etc.

Bill.

sverige_cruz · Post by **sverige_cruz** » 07 Apr 2009, 18:21

Right, Bill,

Sorry - It is a 23F. The idle is (mostly) smooth. The car runs great. I have changed the air filter. I have not checked/replaced the distributor cap/rotor, though new ones are on their way to me at the moment, in the post. The car is very easy to start and has not stalled on me since I bought it.

Is the timing belt "skipping" a common happening? I've been out of the DIY car fixing for a while. Nothing like diving in...

Thanks guys!

Post by **billofdurham** » 08 Apr 2009, 15:25

A new distributor cap and rotor won't hurt.

A timing belt can skip as it and the tensioner age. It is not a common occurence but I have seen it happen. If the belt and tensioner look reasonably new it is possible that the belt has been put on one or two teeth out. That is more common!!

Bill.