Car wont start by key, have to tow it
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Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Its the 1.7 so i will have to order a set of valve shims.
would anyone know where these can be purchased from?
Cheers
Matt
would anyone know where these can be purchased from?
Cheers
Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Were the shims removed during cam replacement? If so are they in the correct order they came from? If they are not in there original place, even with old cam the settings will be wrong. This would mean having to do a lot of guess work and swopping around.
If shims are in original place you could always try the original cam back in place and check clearances. This is the long way of doing it but worth trying if you can't get hold of shims quick enough.
As to where to get them? Just a case of shopping around good motor factors or engine rebuilders, unless anyone on the site knows who has done it.
If shims are in original place you could always try the original cam back in place and check clearances. This is the long way of doing it but worth trying if you can't get hold of shims quick enough.
As to where to get them? Just a case of shopping around good motor factors or engine rebuilders, unless anyone on the site knows who has done it.
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Measure the shims and buy what you need, Volvo can order in individuals but not the kit, at least they could 6 weeks ago
Fiver roughly a shim I think was the price.

'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
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- Posts: 283
- Joined: 07 Apr 2008 12:40 pm
- Location: Macclesfield/Chester
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Cheers Chris,
I heard somewhere that renault supplied the shims too so ill have a look round.
I didn't remove the shims when i fitted the new cam. It was working perfectly for about a week then its just got worse and worse since then.
Cheers
I heard somewhere that renault supplied the shims too so ill have a look round.
I didn't remove the shims when i fitted the new cam. It was working perfectly for about a week then its just got worse and worse since then.
Cheers
1987 Volvo 340 1.7
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Get the Ovlov special tool for removing the shims too. Haynes reckons you can do it with a flat bladed screwdriver...Yeah right. by the time you've got enough force in the right direction you'll have scored everything up and made things a lot worse.
Its not cheap, about 30 odd quid I think, but its way cheaper than having a garage do it, and we have had history of garages not setting the gaps correctly
Its not cheap, about 30 odd quid I think, but its way cheaper than having a garage do it, and we have had history of garages not setting the gaps correctly

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- Location: Macclesfield/Chester
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Cheers for the help.
To be honest if we cant get it running next week its going to get broken down. Cant really afford to spend any money on it after trying 2 carbs 2 manifolds 2 renix units etc etc.
If anyone has a spare crank position sensor i could borrow that would be great, Ive tried cleaning the one up thats on it but still got nothing. I doubt it is that though because it is making a spark.
cheers
Matt
To be honest if we cant get it running next week its going to get broken down. Cant really afford to spend any money on it after trying 2 carbs 2 manifolds 2 renix units etc etc.
If anyone has a spare crank position sensor i could borrow that would be great, Ive tried cleaning the one up thats on it but still got nothing. I doubt it is that though because it is making a spark.
cheers
Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
If the car has only given problems since the new cam was put in but worked with the old cam then try putting the old one back in, cheapest option!
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Don't buy any more carbs, Renixs or crank position sensors. Its the valve clearances that have gone wrong since you put the new cam in.
What was wrong with the old cam that caused you to put a new cam into the car? If nothing then why not just put the old cam back in. Its going to be a lot cheaper and less hassle than setting the clearances up right again, especially if you have no special tools. You'll need at least: the special tool for removing the shims, measuring calipers for measuring the shim thickness, feeler gauges, probably a couple of new shims.
What was wrong with the old cam that caused you to put a new cam into the car? If nothing then why not just put the old cam back in. Its going to be a lot cheaper and less hassle than setting the clearances up right again, especially if you have no special tools. You'll need at least: the special tool for removing the shims, measuring calipers for measuring the shim thickness, feeler gauges, probably a couple of new shims.
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Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
^^ am i right in thinking it was an uprated cam?
Cheers
will
Cheers
will
Last edited by germ on 06 Feb 2009 02:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Volvo 340
1988

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- Posts: 283
- Joined: 07 Apr 2008 12:40 pm
- Location: Macclesfield/Chester
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Hi,
Yeah It was an uprated cam, reground from a renault.
Ill check the clearences when i go and see the car.
Cheers
Matt
Yeah It was an uprated cam, reground from a renault.
Ill check the clearences when i go and see the car.
Cheers
Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7
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- Posts: 283
- Joined: 07 Apr 2008 12:40 pm
- Location: Macclesfield/Chester
Re: Car wont start by key, have to tow it
Hello everyone,
I have checked the valve clearances and they are not all perfect but I wouldn't have thought it would not run at all with only being out by such a small amount.
If the clearances are out of the recommended values by a tiny amount would it make the car not run or just make it run lumpy?
Cheers
Matt
I have checked the valve clearances and they are not all perfect but I wouldn't have thought it would not run at all with only being out by such a small amount.
If the clearances are out of the recommended values by a tiny amount would it make the car not run or just make it run lumpy?
Cheers
Matt
1987 Volvo 340 1.7