1994 480 S Stuttering In High Gears

fathermaguire · May 3rd, 2009, 21:02

Hello All

As I have only just purchase my 1994 Volvo 480 S on the cheap (200 quid), I knew previous to buying there were some cosmetic and mechanical problems.

I am not very mechanically minded so took a friend along who is a vehicle recovery driver and has alot more experience on such matters.

In 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears there is not problem whatsoever, however in 4th and 5th gears when accelerating harder the car begins stuttering as though there is someone wrong with the fuel getting through to force the car to move properly. When you back off the accelerator and only push the car slowly faster there is no problem.

Even though I am sure my friend and indeed the previous owners idea that it is something to do with the fuel/air mixture I would like it confirmed by people who have had previous experience of this and would appreciate anyone who has to reply.

I have previously owned a Volvo 460 in the past and always liked the look of the 480. I intend over time to restore this car to its former glory and would appreciate any tips.

grass hopper · May 3rd, 2009, 21:22

worth checking the distributor cap for tracking out,had this fault on the same model many years ago,new cap and rotor arm fixed.also check the leads for tracking out and the plugs for wear.

fathermaguire · May 7th, 2009, 15:55

Previous owner informed me since original post he had replaced the distributor cap and rotor arm to try and rectify the fault. Have since spoken with local dealership who have offered a solution.

I am going to try using brake cleaner on the stepper motor connection and if it improves the problem slightly then that is what is at fault. Hopefully it won't need replacing as the dealer said its £120 to replace that part, although fleabay has them at £35.

grass hopper · May 7th, 2009, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by fathermaguire

Previous owner informed me since original post he had replaced the distributor cap and rotor arm to try and rectify the fault. Have since spoken with local dealership who have offered a solution.

I am going to try using brake cleaner on the stepper motor connection and if it improves the problem slightly then that is what is at fault. Hopefully it won't need replacing as the dealer said its £120 to replace that part, although fleabay has them at £35.

the stepper motor would not cause a misfire,this would cause poor idle,one more thing to have a quick look at is the vacum/turbo control hoses to the turbo actuator.

fathermaguire · May 8th, 2009, 11:35

The idle is a little strange, usually hovering around 800 RPM then drops like the fuels been cut, the stutter is quite violent when it does do it, almost as though the petrol flow has been stopped completely for a brief second. I am not very mechanically minded and am going on information given to me by the local Volvo dealership John Darke. I would be very concerned if they were giving me information that was incorrect.

Also strangely I have looked online about my car, it has a 2.0 litre engine, whereas most listing for this model only show a 1.7 and mine has no turbo as far as i'm aware. B20F.

fathermaguire · May 22nd, 2009, 13:11

Just to finish off this post for those interested, the car got gradually worse until recently I was nearly involved in 2 RTA's due to it stalling at roundabouts. I have since had it at a good tuners and the fault ended up being rotor arm. Even though the previous owner said he replaced this and the engineers agreed apparently its a common fault in 480's. So for the first time since owning it I can open her up and let her rip down the bypass. I have to say.... WOW!

Paul240480 · May 25th, 2009, 08:58

Hi, glad you got there in the end & I'm hopin the 2 RTA's were not too serious!

The later models had the 2.0ltr engines & although less finicky than the 1.7i (especially Turbo models) they do suffer from some of the old 'foibles'. Idle snags, 'eatin' leads, plugs & dizzy/rotors to mention a few. 2.0ltrs are much easier to work on too, loads more room

As well as there being a lot of good info to be had here try also: http://www.volvo-480-europe.org/

Some really good 'how to' posts to be had, like this one:

http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum...ic.php?t=15569

For service parts, plugs go for NGK or Volvo IMHO the rest do not last. Leads & Dizzy caps go Volvo................
Try these guys:
http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/
Good Luck

fathermaguire · May 26th, 2009, 13:00

Thanks very much for the useful links, have stuck them in my favourites. The previous owner seems to be abit slap happy with certain things. This week an old engine mounting bracket that truly I had not seen was in the engine bay after being replaced and awesomely got stuck near the rear engine mounting bracket and power steering pipes. Once it decided it wasnt happy there anymore it dislodged causing the bracket to drop onto both power steering pipes cutting them with ease and also the gearbox then dropped backwards slightly and reverse gear has been unobtainable ever since. Luckily a mate of a mate is sorting these problems out on the cheap but it still means 2 power steering pipes, a complete rear engine mounting bracket to be replaced that shouldnt. Never mind, once all these problems are ironed out I will be concentrating on the bodywork to restore this car to how it should look. I have to say despite seemingly my wages being almost thrown at this car I can't wait to take it to the coast without fear of another part playing pinball inside the engine bay. And boy does it shift, wish i'd bought one years ago.

May 3rd, 2009, 21:02	#1
fathermaguire Volvo 480 S Owner Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2009 08:41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln	1994 480 S Stuttering In High Gears Hello All As I have only just purchase my 1994 Volvo 480 S on the cheap (200 quid), I knew previous to buying there were some cosmetic and mechanical problems. I am not very mechanically minded so took a friend along who is a vehicle recovery driver and has alot more experience on such matters. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears there is not problem whatsoever, however in 4th and 5th gears when accelerating harder the car begins stuttering as though there is someone wrong with the fuel getting through to force the car to move properly. When you back off the accelerator and only push the car slowly faster there is no problem. Even though I am sure my friend and indeed the previous owners idea that it is something to do with the fuel/air mixture I would like it confirmed by people who have had previous experience of this and would appreciate anyone who has to reply. I have previously owned a Volvo 460 in the past and always liked the look of the 480. I intend over time to restore this car to its former glory and would appreciate any tips.

May 8th, 2009, 11:35	#5
fathermaguire Volvo 480 S Owner Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2009 08:41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln	The idle is a little strange, usually hovering around 800 RPM then drops like the fuels been cut, the stutter is quite violent when it does do it, almost as though the petrol flow has been stopped completely for a brief second. I am not very mechanically minded and am going on information given to me by the local Volvo dealership John Darke. I would be very concerned if they were giving me information that was incorrect. Also strangely I have looked online about my car, it has a 2.0 litre engine, whereas most listing for this model only show a 1.7 and mine has no turbo as far as i'm aware. B20F. Last edited by fathermaguire; May 8th, 2009 at 11:40. Reason: more information added

May 25th, 2009, 08:58	#7
Paul240480 Ovlovnut Last Online: Jun 5th, 2024 18:25 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nivillac View Photos By: Paul240480	Hi, glad you got there in the end & I'm hopin the 2 RTA's were not too serious! The later models had the 2.0ltr engines & although less finicky than the 1.7i (especially Turbo models) they do suffer from some of the old 'foibles'. Idle snags, 'eatin' leads, plugs & dizzy/rotors to mention a few. 2.0ltrs are much easier to work on too, loads more room As well as there being a lot of good info to be had here try also: http://www.volvo-480-europe.org/ Some really good 'how to' posts to be had, like this one: http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum...ic.php?t=15569 For service parts, plugs go for NGK or Volvo IMHO the rest do not last. Leads & Dizzy caps go Volvo................ Try these guys: http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/ Good Luck __________________ 2004 V70 2.4SE Auto 'The Welshmobile’ 2002 Laika Ecovip 400i ( Motorhome on an Iveco 2.8TD) http://www.gitessouthbrittany.com/ http://moncopainmonchien.jimdo.com/

May 3rd, 2009, 21:22	#2
grass hopper Premier Member Last Online: Mar 18th, 2011 13:38 Join Date: May 2009 Location: grassmere!	worth checking the distributor cap for tracking out,had this fault on the same model many years ago,new cap and rotor arm fixed.also check the leads for tracking out and the plugs for wear.

May 7th, 2009, 15:55	#3
fathermaguire Volvo 480 S Owner Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2009 08:41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln	Previous owner informed me since original post he had replaced the distributor cap and rotor arm to try and rectify the fault. Have since spoken with local dealership who have offered a solution. I am going to try using brake cleaner on the stepper motor connection and if it improves the problem slightly then that is what is at fault. Hopefully it won't need replacing as the dealer said its £120 to replace that part, although fleabay has them at £35.

May 22nd, 2009, 13:11	#6
fathermaguire Volvo 480 S Owner Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2009 08:41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln	Just to finish off this post for those interested, the car got gradually worse until recently I was nearly involved in 2 RTA's due to it stalling at roundabouts. I have since had it at a good tuners and the fault ended up being rotor arm. Even though the previous owner said he replaced this and the engineers agreed apparently its a common fault in 480's. So for the first time since owning it I can open her up and let her rip down the bypass. I have to say.... WOW!

May 26th, 2009, 13:00	#8
fathermaguire Volvo 480 S Owner Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2009 08:41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lincoln	Thanks very much for the useful links, have stuck them in my favourites. The previous owner seems to be abit slap happy with certain things. This week an old engine mounting bracket that truly I had not seen was in the engine bay after being replaced and awesomely got stuck near the rear engine mounting bracket and power steering pipes. Once it decided it wasnt happy there anymore it dislodged causing the bracket to drop onto both power steering pipes cutting them with ease and also the gearbox then dropped backwards slightly and reverse gear has been unobtainable ever since. Luckily a mate of a mate is sorting these problems out on the cheap but it still means 2 power steering pipes, a complete rear engine mounting bracket to be replaced that shouldnt. Never mind, once all these problems are ironed out I will be concentrating on the bodywork to restore this car to how it should look. I have to say despite seemingly my wages being almost thrown at this car I can't wait to take it to the coast without fear of another part playing pinball inside the engine bay. And boy does it shift, wish i'd bought one years ago.

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