S40 1.8 Fuel Consumption

I'm sure you're all bored hearing stories of S40 consumption problems. I have a 97 S40 1.8.. When I fill it up, approx 55lts I'm not getting anymore than 270 miles, even on motorway driving at 60 - 70mph.

Is this normal.. I've worked out that I'm getting about 22 mpg.

I've never had a car to drink so much petrol. Damn things an alcoholic. I drive a lot of miles too as I'm a sales rep. Just bought the car a month ago.

Anyone any ideas if there's something wrong or is this the norm.

Thanks

Sorry, but I think Yours must have problems....My identical car (even running on 17" rims with 205 tyres, which makes a difference, and not in a positive way!) will get 30-32 mpg around the city, and 34-36 mpg on a run (including 80-90 mph motorway work), and I'm confident that I could push 40 mpg with a lighter right foot and an eye on the trip computer....I should have it looked at if I were You....

[Rooster]

I've got a 2.0t and drive it like a loonertick and get 300 to 320 to a tank out of it, yeah i would say theres something wrong with your car

Has anyone any ideas what might be wrong with my car. It's booked in for a service so hopefully this will help..

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[gnhuk]

Still trying to find out why mine is a gas guzzler - though it doesn't seem quite as bad as yours! It's definately running rich but why is a mystery. I've changed the thermostat (twice) which improved things a little bit. I've watched the numbers by plugging in a PC and have noticed that the coolant temp was showing some "jumps" which I wouldn't expect a liquid under pressure to do. So I'm now waiting for it to cool down so I can fit a new coolant temperature sender. If this doesn't work it's due a service so I'll see what they find - I just hope, for the sake of my wallet, that it isn't something really expensive like an O2 sensor..............

[fyggy2002]

sounds to me like a problem with the car, but don't take my word for it, I'm not a grease monkey. I get about 300 - 360 out of my tank based on town work with a good run thrown in, this is in my S40 1.8 SE

[gnhuk]

Changed the sensor and it is definately running better now, and the reading for the O2 sensor 2 value is moving, which it wasn't before. The old temp sender was coated with scale. I'll carry on monitoring the consumption - the last two tanks have yielded 25.9 and 32.2 mpg...........

Can you tell me how to change this sensor or what I need to buy and get my mechanic to fix it for me.

Mine is still doing 22 mpg after service.

Do any of you know how to turn off the service light?

[gnhuk]

On my car, B4184S2 engine, the sensor is screwed into the thermostat housing just underneath the thermostat - to confirm its location follow the wire that appears from that area. The sensor/sender changed part number around 1999 (according to the software that isn't mentioned around these parts) so make certain you order the right one, it costs about £35 from a dealer.To change it you need to remove the thermostat cover (which, on mine means also removing part of the plastic engine cover) before you can get a spanner on it. You'll need a thin 19mm open ended spanner (I discovered this after I'd removed the thermostat - I didn't possess a 19mm oe spanner!) and it you only be able to turn it one flat at a time. When changed everything goes back together in reverse order - and don't forget to top up the coolant.

This thread should give you an idea where it is.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=15358 - there is an exploded diagram on one reply - look for item 21 on that diagram.

Turning off the service light varies from year to year, your car is a 1997 P1 whereas mine is a "P1.5" from 2000.