S40: - Engine hesitation?

nucnik · Oct 14th, 2014, 06:53

Just got sent here from your American counterparts, so I'm hoping I can get some urgent info

I'm venturing into first gen S40 ownership, and I would like some info regarding the engines in these cars. Now, the cars I'm looking at are dirt cheap, so I don't expect perfection, but there was one thing I noticed when testing two separate - 1.8 and 2.0 petrol - cars, with 135k and 125k miles respectively.

Both ran smoothly and quietly, with no signs of problems, but both hit a brick wall at just over 4000 rpm. I didn't push them all the way to the redline, but it felt like they were really struggling for every rpm above that, completely losing power and getting louder & harsher than before.

Is this normal for these engines?

Gazzer83 · Oct 14th, 2014, 07:18

No this is not normal. I had this on my car and it was the crank sensor. Is the engine mangement kight on when you go to start the emgine and then goes out as soon as it starts. Check the state of the air filter, These car do not light a dirty filter. I change mine every 6 months.

nucnik · Oct 14th, 2014, 08:03

There was nothing out of the ordinary, unless the "check engine" light went out as well. Is the crank sensor an expensive fix?

Gazzer83 · Oct 14th, 2014, 12:49

The sensor is cheap enough £34, but changing it took me about 2 hrs start to finish and i have all the required tools and experience to do the job myself.
If you have a small amount of ability and access to tools it is time consuming but not difficult.

skyship007 · Oct 14th, 2014, 13:07

Firstly I would check to see if the engines have been correctly serviced, as a bad fuel or air filter can cause a lag in reaching full power.

Another possibility is that both cars have blocked CAT's and because they are expensive to replace, some folks then sell such cars.

If it is not poor servicing or blocked CAT's, then it would be a good idea to get the hidden fault codes checked, as there are quite a number of other potential causes, including a dirty MAF or other sensor.

nucnik · Oct 14th, 2014, 20:39

Well, I've just bought the 2.0 S40, so I guess I'll figure out what's wrong

One thing I did notice was the engine revved more freely on the longer drive home, after I gave is some gas, so maybe it was just a bit sleepy. The fuel usage also seems low enough to make the cats and exhaust seem improbable. Even got the average below 7 l/100 km on an easy stretch. 8.4 now.

Did develop louder and more noticeable vibrations above 5000 rpm, though, so that's something new. It was shaking and grunting quite a bit.

Anywho, I'll make a proper introduction once I get the car cleaned and take some pictures, but thanks for all the info so far!

Oct 14th, 2014, 06:53	#1
nucnik New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2015 15:43 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: /	Engine hesitation? Just got sent here from your American counterparts, so I'm hoping I can get some urgent info I'm venturing into first gen S40 ownership, and I would like some info regarding the engines in these cars. Now, the cars I'm looking at are dirt cheap, so I don't expect perfection, but there was one thing I noticed when testing two separate - 1.8 and 2.0 petrol - cars, with 135k and 125k miles respectively. Both ran smoothly and quietly, with no signs of problems, but both hit a brick wall at just over 4000 rpm. I didn't push them all the way to the redline, but it felt like they were really struggling for every rpm above that, completely losing power and getting louder & harsher than before. Is this normal for these engines?

Oct 14th, 2014, 07:18	#2
Gazzer83 Gazzer Last Online: Feb 22nd, 2018 13:12 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Portsmouth	Hesitation No this is not normal. I had this on my car and it was the crank sensor. Is the engine mangement kight on when you go to start the emgine and then goes out as soon as it starts. Check the state of the air filter, These car do not light a dirty filter. I change mine every 6 months. __________________ Sept 1999 Volvo V40 1.8 Petrol. Non GDI 168k. Now no more.

Oct 14th, 2014, 12:49	#4
Gazzer83 Gazzer Last Online: Feb 22nd, 2018 13:12 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Portsmouth	Crank sensor The sensor is cheap enough £34, but changing it took me about 2 hrs start to finish and i have all the required tools and experience to do the job myself. If you have a small amount of ability and access to tools it is time consuming but not difficult. __________________ Sept 1999 Volvo V40 1.8 Petrol. Non GDI 168k. Now no more.

Oct 14th, 2014, 13:07	#5
skyship007 Premier Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2018 08:14 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: DownSouth	Firstly I would check to see if the engines have been correctly serviced, as a bad fuel or air filter can cause a lag in reaching full power. Another possibility is that both cars have blocked CAT's and because they are expensive to replace, some folks then sell such cars. If it is not poor servicing or blocked CAT's, then it would be a good idea to get the hidden fault codes checked, as there are quite a number of other potential causes, including a dirty MAF or other sensor. __________________ 2003 V40 1.9TD Mods: Scratches, bent bumpers, raised REAR mats & internal mud guards. SHELL ULTRA 5/40 & LIQUI MOLY CERATEC. Everyone should DYOR (Do Your Own Research)

Oct 14th, 2014, 08:03	#3
nucnik New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2015 15:43 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: /	There was nothing out of the ordinary, unless the "check engine" light went out as well. Is the crank sensor an expensive fix?

Oct 14th, 2014, 20:39	#6
nucnik New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2015 15:43 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: /	Well, I've just bought the 2.0 S40, so I guess I'll figure out what's wrong One thing I did notice was the engine revved more freely on the longer drive home, after I gave is some gas, so maybe it was just a bit sleepy. The fuel usage also seems low enough to make the cats and exhaust seem improbable. Even got the average below 7 l/100 km on an easy stretch. 8.4 now. Did develop louder and more noticeable vibrations above 5000 rpm, though, so that's something new. It was shaking and grunting quite a bit. Anywho, I'll make a proper introduction once I get the car cleaned and take some pictures, but thanks for all the info so far!

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