High emissions

[pottypaula]

My Volvo 440 1.7si auto 1993 failed on emissions. The mechanic said this can be adjusted using the c.o. potentiometer. But he couldnt find it. He looked through the Haynes manual and it's not where it says it should be. He then said he thinks my engine has been replaced with a 2lt version. I looked for the engine number; when I got home; where it says to look in my owners manual. On my ownership papers my engine number has 1 letter then 12 numbers. Where I looked it had 1 letter and 6 numbers. Is this right? Is the Mechanic right?

[andy100]

Have a look on the front of the engine block, next to where the dipstick tube goes into the block, there may be a small metal plate about 1 inch x 2 inch with the engine series code stamped on it,

mine says B20F, if yours does it is the 2.0i engine.

[GTMaster]

If yours has a cat converter and Lambda sensor then yours doesn't have the pot. meter on top of the air filter (or around there). If it's a 1.7i then the engine code for the catless version is B18EP while the cat. Lambda version is B18FP (basically same engines, just the latter has a cat converter and lambda sensor fitted, power is 102hp instead of 106hp.)
Why did it fail on emissions? Too high CO/HC (running rich) or high NOx (running lean)? Was it good on idle or was it bad in the whole rev range?

[pottypaula]

Thanx for your replies. Fast Idle Test. CO failed. Max Limit 0.300, mine 0.552. HC passed. Lambda passed. Second Fast Idle Test. CO failed. mine 0.624. Passed the other two. Natural Idle Test. CO failed. Max limit 0.500, mine 0.585.
Looked by the dipstick, which is where i looked last time. The number began with what looked like a P then had 598441 after it. Not quite the B18!

[B20F]

You can check it on the V(ehilcle)I(dentification)N(umber) plate as follows:

Example: XLBEX313ESC593307

Position Example Purpose
1-3 XLB Manufacturer code
4 E Car type
5 X Safety standard
6-7 31 Engine type
8 3 Transmission type
9 E Verification
10 S Modelyear
11 C Factory
12-17 593307 Chassisnumber

Engine type:
01 = B18K-102
02 = B18KP-111
03 = B18E(S)-105
04 = B18E(D)-104
05 = B18FT(M)-107
06 = B18FT(M)-107
07 = B18K(D)-102
14 = B18E-104
17 = B16F-109
18 = B18F-106
19 = B18FT-107
31 = B20F-208

[glasgowjim]

even easier way to read the VIN go to volvo 480 club europe homepage ( only the forum is goosed) and click on vin reader type in your vin and it will tell you what your engine is .

[Robinharrison88]

Hello B20F,
I'm trying to find the engine type in my 440. The 6th and 7th digit are 16. This is not covered in your list and the 480 Club site with the VIN reader gets all my vehicle details right, but says "unknown" for engine. It's a 1.8L so i'm guessing it's a B18(something). Do you know any other ways I can find out? Thanks.