Volvo 340 1.4 Engine Problem

[Paula]

Hi everyone,

Last year I sold my 1989 ( G reg ) red Volvo 340 1.4.

It's a base model with two doors and is a hatchback.

It has 5 gears and the heated seats.

It is now a three owner car ( including me ) and is still in mint condition....

I bought it in 2001 and it provided stalwart service.......

I really miss it now and regret selling her .........

Despite what Jeremy Clarkson says, it is a great car, very reliable and strong and how many 1989 cars do you see running around still?

Yep Volvo 340/360's ........ and one or two other makes.

The guy who bought it from me followed his partner's car down the M4 at 80-85 mph in 5th and probably as a result the head gasket blew.

I never cruised at more than 70-75mph on Motorways knowing that Head Gasket failure can be a problem with the Renault/Volvo 1.4 litre engine.

The car has now covered 105,000 miles and it never missed a beat during my 35K ownership.

The new owner topped up the radiator when it blew water out and then foolishly used the car again before having it checked out.

Of course, more water spewed out and as a result the head gasket failed totally.

A mechanic friend of mine checked out the car by removing the head and said that labour fixing the problem would be uneconomic and advised an exchange replacement mill.

He also thought that the car had been pushed whilst in gear after the head had been removed by him ( the mechanic came back a second time ) and as a result the pistons were in a different place and this ( he said ) could have done further damage to the engine.

I am considering buying the car back from the guy I sold it to BUT do any of you know of a very good condition 1.4 litre engine around that can be dropped in the old engine's place.

All the other bits of the engine and accessories are fine BUT it will need a replacement radiator.

I look forward to replies........

Take care

Paula

[cumbrianmale]

Give foggyjames or chris_c a shout James is the 300 register keeper and Chris has a little collection too, if anyone knows where parts are it will include them. Both are Forum Support Team so names are in purple.

[S60-MBS]

Think Foggyjames is breaking one now

[Paula]

Hi Cumbrianmale & S60Driver,

Thank you for your quick replies....

I will try & contact these two people that you mentioned.

Take care

Nitey nite

Paula

[Chris_C]

If the car has been pushed when the head is off, it will have disturbed the liners. I've never had to deal with this, but have always been told it's a Bad Thing (tm). 1.4 isn't a difficult engine to have in and out, finding one shouldn't be that hard, as a load of 340's are being bought by drifters wanting something more powerful. Radiators the same, late 1.4's share with 1.7's, and are fairly common, used to be about 60 quid from GSF but not sure if they still are.

If the liners havn't been disturbed, then for the cost I'd get the head skimmed and see what happens with a new HG. However, I don't mind having a car that doesn't work, if you want the simple solution that could well be dropping in a "new" engine.

[foggyjames]

Swapping a complete engine is pretty easy on these cars, and that's exactly what I'd do. I'm not aware of any 1.4s being broken at present, but try speaking to breakers yards and again, watch eBay. I do have a 1.4 sat here, but it's an early version, which complicates things, and it's already spoken for. I'll keep my eyes peeled...

Watch eBay for cheap radiators, but make sure it's a later 'full width' version. I managed to get one for £28 shipped a while ago!

cheers

James

[Paula]

Hi Chris,

Yes I remember now what my mechanic pal said about the liners being disturbed .......

I'll let you know what I decide.

Thanks for your message......

Nite

Paula

Originally Posted by Chris_C

If the car has been pushed when the head is off, it will have disturbed the liners. I've never had to deal with this, but have always been told it's a Bad Thing (tm). 1.4 isn't a difficult engine to have in and out, finding one shouldn't be that hard, as a load of 340's are being bought by drifters wanting something more powerful. Radiators the same, late 1.4's share with 1.7's, and are fairly common, used to be about 60 quid from GSF but not sure if they still are.

If the liners havn't been disturbed, then for the cost I'd get the head skimmed and see what happens with a new HG. However, I don't mind having a car that doesn't work, if you want the simple solution that could well be dropping in a "new" engine.

[Paula]

Hiya James,

Thanks for your advice hun.

Nitey nite

Paula

Originally Posted by foggyjames

Swapping a complete engine is pretty easy on these cars, and that's exactly what I'd do. I'm not aware of any 1.4s being broken at present, but try speaking to breakers yards and again, watch eBay. I do have a 1.4 sat here, but it's an early version, which complicates things, and it's already spoken for. I'll keep my eyes peeled...

Watch eBay for cheap radiators, but make sure it's a later 'full width' version. I managed to get one for £28 shipped a while ago!

cheers

James

[Seeker_UK]

If you're attached to the car then do it but, to be honest, once you've sourced the engine and rad and paid for it to be fitted, it would probably be no cheaper than buying a really good one from e-bay or Autotrader and flogging your old one for bits.

Look out for a late 1.7 or a "redline".....

[Chris_C]

Good ones are easily £700 now unless you get a lucky bargain (small ads do still have them). If this shell isn't rusty, you have a winner. Bonnets can be replaced, the sills are a pain to do and are guaranteed to go at some point if they havn't already. If they've been bodge welded..

Does seem like the 99p bids on ebay returning a good car are gone