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Returning to the fold - 940 Diesel?
Posted: 28 Mar 2008 12:06 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
Due to various reasons I have to get a car again.
A 940 diesel has sprung up near me and I'm looking at it tomorrow. It's a 1994 model, Auto (crys), 2.4L diesel.
Anyone on here know about the diesel models? Are they turbo? Any information/links would be useful. I can't find anything on the web.
I need it for motorway cruising and plan to run it on veg oil. I found some hints of MPG, 35-39, about right?
Only issues with the car is the owner tells me the front wheels need alignment, I think he's spotted some uneven tyre wear. We've not had this before on any of our volvos. Could this be a sign of something worse or is it easy/cheap to get fixed? I assume front alignment is not a DIY job.
Thanks

Posted: 28 Mar 2008 12:29 pm
by SteveP
They are VW turbo diesels in the 940, intercooled too I believe so around 130bhp? They also sound lovely being straight 6's. That sounds like a fair assumption on the MPG, I remember reading that Ryan's old 740 TD achieved upto 50mpg on a long jaunt to Scotland though.
Posted: 28 Mar 2008 01:00 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
Lot's of nasty feedback on the web about the earlier diesels in 2/740s mentioning failures due to short journeys not allowing the oil to heat up and lubricate properly. The car I'm looking at has been used as a town run about, only 100k!
According to this it's 112bhp
http://www.volvo-club.cz/model_detail.php?id=15
Posted: 28 Mar 2008 07:19 pm
by swordfish210
you could just plumb in a mechanical oil temp guage if you're worried about the oil temp. Why dont you buy you're old 360 off of me

Posted: 28 Mar 2008 07:46 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
I'm afraid I need something bigger than a 300
My use shouldn't cause the damage as it'll be long trips only. More worried about previous owners short trips shortening the engine life.
Posted: 28 Mar 2008 09:36 pm
by Ronnie
Hey David - even if the engine does have increased wear due to short trips, I'm sure it will see you for a good couple of years if not too smoky now. Bangernomics rules
They're heavy cars - apparently curbing can damage front suspension components, but more likely the rubbers are shot at a guess
Posted: 28 Mar 2008 10:30 pm
by jtbo
I have heard that veggie oil would not be good for pump of D24, but don't know then, couple litres that I have burned did not do harm, but I guess not much else either
I have D24 which is same but NA version, lacks power and a LOT, but D24TIC should be better, have drove one and there was gigantic turbo lag and it was not too quick really, maybe just that individual car was not so good.
That is something I might get someday, unless I can get myself convinced from Merc

Posted: 29 Mar 2008 02:18 pm
by classicswede
Hi david,
the turbo lump does go much better than the n/a and from the ones I know the TD tends to be better on fuel.
Out of interest how much are they asking for it?
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 04:22 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
Thanks for all the advice. I've just bought it
£1.4k. It needs a new headlight, wing mirror and the belt done but it's had a good life relatively speaking so should do me well.
It feels exceedingly fast.
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 04:51 pm
by jtbo
SoLaMaNdA wrote:Thanks for all the advice. I've just bought it
£1.4k. It needs a new headlight, wing mirror and the belt done but it's had a good life relatively speaking so should do me well.
It feels exceedingly fast.
Replace both belts, timing belt and pump belt that is at back of engine and you won't need to worry it for long time after that.
Remember to run engine 1-2 minutes after driving, this is to avoid head to crack.
Never ever start engine if you are not going to run it to operating temperature, it is poison to these engines.
Also don't floor it until it is at full temp + 10 minutes, good guideline is don't let turbo wake up until engine is well warmed.
Use some good synthetic oil, engine won't get oil up when cranking, it takes a while until oil pressure is good and during this moment good oil is saving a lot of wear.
Threat it well and you have good motor for long time.
It is nice buy, we demand photos as usual

Posted: 29 Mar 2008 06:32 pm
by filthyjohn
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 07:01 pm
by classicswede
SoLaMaNdA wrote:Thanks for all the advice. I've just bought it
£1.4k. It needs a new headlight, wing mirror and the belt done but it's had a good life relatively speaking so should do me well.
It feels exceedingly fast.
For a that kind of money you could go for a petrol and convert to LPG giving cheaper running and the advantage of the good old volvo lump!
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 07:13 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
Veg oil works out far cheaper at 56p a litre. This should run on atleast 90% with little to no modifications. It's just had new glow plugs so it should love the stuff.
Pics:
Clicky for more ^
Thanks for the advice jtbo, I tend to always treat engines as you describe when cold. Why keep it running before switching off? I understand the Turbo intercooled engines have a stronger alloy for the head so shouldn't crack.
Is a normal semi synthetic good enough? It'll be getting double interval oil changes anyway running on veg oil.
Posted: 29 Mar 2008 07:17 pm
by SteveP
Looks nice, liking the 6cyl sound?

Posted: 29 Mar 2008 07:23 pm
by SoLaMaNdA
It's dire at tick over. Sounds like a proper tractor. No questions this is a diesel! Sounds fine when rev'ed or on the move.