Super chuffed with my new hi-spec 240 GLT!

[john h]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

Which one....front cam seal, by any chance? If so, it'll probably either be because you've pushed the seal in too far (if it's one of the new-style 'narrow' ones...the original Elring ones are deeper, and will only go in to the correct depth)...or it'll be leaking from around the bearing cap mating faces, which need sealing with some RTV. They're sometimes a sod to get to seal properly...

cheers

James

Yeah, cam seal.

I don't know what elring means. The seal was supplied by Volvo. Didn't move the bearing cap, so that shouldn't be leaking?

Thanks

John

[foggyjames]

Elring are the OEM for all redblock engine seals and gaskets. The shaft seals are all reddy-orange in colour, and have full-depth 'collars' around the outside. However, lately Volvo have started stocking an alternative (brown in colour), which I don't think is made by Elring. The 'collar' on this is not full-depth, allowing a range of installation positions. I found that it would routinely fail if pushed in too far. Pushing it in just enough that it's flush with the front face of the head worked well.

cheers

James

[nick_ovlov]

the seals i removed from my car were a dark red colour but the new volvo ones were black seals, had a spring inside them iirc and seated themselves nicely. they had volvo embossed on them so not sure who made them...


Nick

[john h]

Update time:

The basic jobs are now done, so I can use the car for a while. I hope that will help get my enthusiasm back, because the work so far has been unlucky and troublesome, with every job taking far longer than it should. That means progress on my 164 has stopped dead, which added to my annoyance. But, if the 240 behaves itself for a while now, I'm sure all will be forgiven!

Cambelt, waterpump, thermostat and front oil seals have been replaced. I had to re-use the old tensioner because the new one (from Volvo) was faulty and did not fit. But the old tensioner is very smooth and quiet, so that should be fine.

The radiator was clogged externally with dirt, which I think will explain the temperature variations I was getting on the way home after collecting the car. I was pleased so see very clean coolant with no clogging at all inside the radiator, thermostat and drain plug.

Various work in progress shots:


















Steve did a great job degreasing the engine bay.












The tailgate wiring [what a stupid design!] has been replaced - again mostly Steve's good work - so now everything electrical works.






The initial clean-up work, removing several years of dirt, shows the potential for this to become a very nice car.




This young man has been brilliant!



So, the 240 will earn its living for a while now, and I'll resume work on the 164RS project.

John

[Paul240480]

I need 'a Steve'. We all need 'a Steve' Every RWD Volvo Owner should have 'a Steve' LOL

[john h]

Originally Posted by Paul240480

I need 'a Steve'. We all need 'a Steve' Every RWD Volvo Owner should have 'a Steve' LOL

Haha, yes indeed. But you definitely can't have mine !!

He's an absolute star and I'll put up a fight to keep him!

John

[foggyjames]

Looking much happier, John! That radiator is in an impressive state...!

So is the 240 for days you don't fancy driving the Merc...or have lots of stuff to carry...?

cheers

James

[john h]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

Looking much happier, John! That radiator is in an impressive state...!

So is the 240 for days you don't fancy driving the Merc...or have lots of stuff to carry...?

cheers

James

Yes, that's about it. Also, because I don't own a modern car now, the 240 gives me a reserve vehicle in case the old Merc needs to be off the road for some work.

Another James (Rusty244) did a good job of cleaning that muck from the radiator. I forgot to take some "after" photos, but it is 95% unclogged now, so I'll see how it performs.

John

[rusty244]

Originally Posted by john h

Another James (Rusty244) did a good job of cleaning that muck from the radiator. I forgot to take some "after" photos, but it is 95% unclogged now, so I'll see how it performs.

Happy to help. Was an interesting afternoon out and the chips made it worthwhile

Good to see you got through all of those maintenance jobs successfully.

[john h]

We are mainly back to working on the 164 now, but in the Yorkshire snow this weekend....



.... here's Steve working on some wheels which might find their way onto the 240






Cheers

John