Engine: 2.3 Carb B23A/B230K: - Cambelts on 240GLT

LaPetiteBrocante · Mar 22nd, 2008, 15:36

I was just reading another thread and cambelt failure was mentioned; I think in relation to a 240.
Excuse my ignorance but can anyone tell me if my engine is regarded as a 'safe' one if the cambelt breaks. In 15 years of owning Volvo 240s, present one for 10 years, I didn't realise this fact, if it's so.
I have a 1988 240GLT 2.3 Estate. I know it's not fuel injection so am assuming it's the other 2.3 engine. Thanks

Paul Clifton · Mar 22nd, 2008, 15:52

If there is any doubt as to when your belt is last changed get it done. The chances are if it breaks it will cause damage

Paul.

2.4TSE · Mar 22nd, 2008, 16:07

Typing "Is the Volvo B23 an interference engine?" into Google returned the answer "No" per http://www.volvoclubofbc.com/technical/tech2005.html

An "interference" engine is one where pistons and valves meet if the timing mechanism fails whereas a "non interference" engine is one where they don't and the engine will just windmill to a halt. Your B23 engine is one of the latter, as was my father's pushrod B19 engine in his 144S on which the teeth stripped off the fibre camshaft drive many years ago; we simply coasted to a halt on the hard shoulder of a motorway. After a new camdrive was fitted (not on the hard shoulder!), the engine was fine.

If a cambelt is going to fail, on most engines it happens on startup when the loading on them is greatest, but I still wouldn't want to take the chance of failure at a more crucial moment such as on the wrong side of the road during an overtaking manoeuvre; if I didn't know when the belt of any car I own was last changed I would change it anyway.

LaPetiteBrocante · Mar 22nd, 2008, 16:26

Many thanks for the replies. I had a cam belt failure about 15 years ago on my previous 240 (1983 2.0), it went in third gear about 25mph and was fixed just with a new belt, timing etc.
My current Volvo is languishing, sadly, in the shed at the back of my house here in France (sad picture on my profile... but it still looks good doesn't it, even after sitting there collecting dust and bird droppings for the past 18 months) but I'm hoping to trace some LHD headlights pretty soon and get it back on the road here.
I had the belt changed about 4 years ago and have only covered about 8,000 miles since but I think I'll get it replaced again before it goes back into service.

Velorum · Mar 22nd, 2008, 17:24

I would have thought that your GLT has a B230 engine which I have always thought was an interference engine - checking through numerous old threads on the forum re this it would appear that there is some disagreement as to whether this is the case. (Earlier ones arent, later ones are?)

As Mike Brace has said before when this subject has arisen, even if an interference engine breaks a belt it may well not be 'game over' as all that may be required is a valve replacement.

Regardless of what ever the advice given is I would proceed on the basis that its an interference engine and make sure that the belt is changed every 40K or so or no longer than 2 years. Better safe than sorry. (Some leave them longer)

Oh, by the way, Ive just looked at the picture on your profile - nice looking GLT!

Cheers
Ian

Clifford Pope · Apr 6th, 2008, 20:47

I'd change it anyway. It's cheap and easy.

When you do change it, take the opportunity of testing by hand while the belt is off and then you will KNOW for future reference whether yours is an interference engine or not.

morsing · Apr 7th, 2008, 07:22

Your GLT should have the B230E which as far as I know is interference. However, you say it's not fuel injection, which if correct, means the engine must have been replaced. Are you sure it's not fuel injected?

malb · Apr 7th, 2008, 11:15

My understanding is that the 2 digit motors B21/23 are non interference, but the 3 digit series motors B200/230 etc are interference. But some people claim to have had a B230 survive a belt failure without damage beyond the belt.

Suterman · Apr 8th, 2008, 22:53

here is the truth.

Its the head and pistons that are of concern here.

most b230e/et/f/ft engines are fitted with 530 or 531 heads, these are all non interference.

some b230e and all b230k (carb) engines have the 631 (heron) head, these are interference.

all 16 valve engines are interference.

To be sure what head you have, look on the side of the head above the exhaust manifold, the cast number is there.

Mar 22nd, 2008, 15:36	#1
LaPetiteBrocante 240GLT owner Last Online: Jul 26th, 2010 11:46 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Langoelan	Cambelts on 240GLT I was just reading another thread and cambelt failure was mentioned; I think in relation to a 240. Excuse my ignorance but can anyone tell me if my engine is regarded as a 'safe' one if the cambelt breaks. In 15 years of owning Volvo 240s, present one for 10 years, I didn't realise this fact, if it's so. I have a 1988 240GLT 2.3 Estate. I know it's not fuel injection so am assuming it's the other 2.3 engine. Thanks

Mar 22nd, 2008, 15:52	#2
Paul Clifton Paul Clifton Last Online: Jul 18th, 2023 15:50 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wisbech View Photos By: Paul Clifton	cam belt If there is any doubt as to when your belt is last changed get it done. The chances are if it breaks it will cause damage Paul. __________________ Paul Clifton. A man's knowledge can never outweigh his experience.

Mar 22nd, 2008, 16:07	#3
2.4TSE Master Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2024 18:03 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Stratford-upon-Avon	B23 is a non interference engine Typing "Is the Volvo B23 an interference engine?" into Google returned the answer "No" per http://www.volvoclubofbc.com/technical/tech2005.html An "interference" engine is one where pistons and valves meet if the timing mechanism fails whereas a "non interference" engine is one where they don't and the engine will just windmill to a halt. Your B23 engine is one of the latter, as was my father's pushrod B19 engine in his 144S on which the teeth stripped off the fibre camshaft drive many years ago; we simply coasted to a halt on the hard shoulder of a motorway. After a new camdrive was fitted (not on the hard shoulder!), the engine was fine. If a cambelt is going to fail, on most engines it happens on startup when the loading on them is greatest, but I still wouldn't want to take the chance of failure at a more crucial moment such as on the wrong side of the road during an overtaking manoeuvre; if I didn't know when the belt of any car I own was last changed I would change it anyway. __________________ 2003 V70 2.4T SE \| Owned from new \| M56 \| Bilstein B4 \| Nivomats \| BSR PPC \| Ferrita Exhaust \| Poly small bush in lower torque mount 2008 C30 T5 SE Sport R-Design \| Dynaudio \| BLIS \| Winter Pack \| Towbar \| Parking Control \| Keyless \| 18" Atreus

Mar 22nd, 2008, 16:26	#4
LaPetiteBrocante 240GLT owner Last Online: Jul 26th, 2010 11:46 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Langoelan	cambelts Many thanks for the replies. I had a cam belt failure about 15 years ago on my previous 240 (1983 2.0), it went in third gear about 25mph and was fixed just with a new belt, timing etc. My current Volvo is languishing, sadly, in the shed at the back of my house here in France (sad picture on my profile... but it still looks good doesn't it, even after sitting there collecting dust and bird droppings for the past 18 months) but I'm hoping to trace some LHD headlights pretty soon and get it back on the road here. I had the belt changed about 4 years ago and have only covered about 8,000 miles since but I think I'll get it replaced again before it goes back into service.

Mar 22nd, 2008, 17:24	#5
Velorum VOC Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2023 20:49 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newquay	I would have thought that your GLT has a B230 engine which I have always thought was an interference engine - checking through numerous old threads on the forum re this it would appear that there is some disagreement as to whether this is the case. (Earlier ones arent, later ones are?) As Mike Brace has said before when this subject has arisen, even if an interference engine breaks a belt it may well not be 'game over' as all that may be required is a valve replacement. Regardless of what ever the advice given is I would proceed on the basis that its an interference engine and make sure that the belt is changed every 40K or so or no longer than 2 years. Better safe than sorry. (Some leave them longer) Oh, by the way, Ive just looked at the picture on your profile - nice looking GLT! Cheers Ian __________________ Past Volvos 340's (2), 240 saloons (4), 240 estates (5), 740 estate (1), 760 saloon (1), 940 saloon (1), 940 estate (1)

Apr 6th, 2008, 20:47	#6
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 12:45 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	I'd change it anyway. It's cheap and easy. When you do change it, take the opportunity of testing by hand while the belt is off and then you will KNOW for future reference whether yours is an interference engine or not.

Apr 7th, 2008, 07:22	#7
morsing Premier Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 07:56 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Aylesbury View Photos By: morsing	Your GLT should have the B230E which as far as I know is interference. However, you say it's not fuel injection, which if correct, means the engine must have been replaced. Are you sure it's not fuel injected? __________________ --- '89 Volvo 240GLT B230E/AW70 '14 Volvo V70 SE D4/M66 FWD '70 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu '95 Saab 9000 CSE 2.0 Turbo Auto

Apr 7th, 2008, 11:15	#8
malb Member Last Online: Dec 29th, 2013 11:04 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne	My understanding is that the 2 digit motors B21/23 are non interference, but the 3 digit series motors B200/230 etc are interference. But some people claim to have had a B230 survive a belt failure without damage beyond the belt. __________________ Drive it till it drops... Then kick it back to life!!!

Apr 8th, 2008, 22:53	#9
Suterman 240 Turbo Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 19:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: shropshire View Photos By: Suterman	here is the truth. Its the head and pistons that are of concern here. most b230e/et/f/ft engines are fitted with 530 or 531 heads, these are all non interference. some b230e and all b230k (carb) engines have the 631 (heron) head, these are interference. all 16 valve engines are interference. To be sure what head you have, look on the side of the head above the exhaust manifold, the cast number is there. __________________ 1991 240 Turbo GL 1992 940 GL 1996 940 GLE Turbo Auto 1985 Bedford CF2 B230E

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