S40: - Help!

The Box · Jun 29th, 2011, 13:57

Hello
I have a Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6i (S Reg - 1999) and in the year I've had it, it has been a dream to drive - the engine is always so quiet.
Yesterday, after driving back from Glastonbury Festival on Monday (where a small bit of mud may have sprayed underneath) the engine started shaking pretty violently and chugging.
When in neutral the revs seem to fluctuate and there is also a smell of burning rubber from under the car. The acceleration seemed a bit slow too.
The exhaust was be really pumping out like I'd never noticed and it seems very, very hot.

I took it out earlier to the supermarket (about 1 mile away) and it seemed fine. However, when I went to leave, the chugging of the engine has returned as has the smell of burning rubber. It is sounding like one of those really noisy scooters that kids ride about on!

The acceleration (especially on a hill start) is really bad, as though it's about to die altogether - I had to put my hazards on at one point as I was crawling along at 5mph. It was taking ages to get up to 20 mph....However, once it gets going it seems fine (although the engine is clearly struggling so I only drove back home). I had a look underneath and everything looks fine - although I did notice the exhaust and the pipes leading up to it seem stupidly hot.

HELP? Does it sound like it could be something simple that I might be able to fix myself (I have very little ££££s at the moment)

The cambelt was replaced in 1999 at 77k (on 91k now).
It passed the latest MOT 3 weeks ago.

Dog_Book · Jun 29th, 2011, 21:55

head gasket?

stevo48 · Jun 29th, 2011, 23:33

Collapsed cat?

960kg · Jun 30th, 2011, 11:43

lack of coolant.....head gasket!!....

doodlebug · Jun 30th, 2011, 14:23

I guess the first thing to check, to see if the head gaskets gone is to look for water in the oil, and the tell tale sign of 'mayonaise' in the rocker cover? Sounds like it could well be the head gasket to me though...

Jun 29th, 2011, 13:57	#1
The Box New Member Last Online: Jun 29th, 2011 15:01 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Southampton	Help! Hello I have a Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6i (S Reg - 1999) and in the year I've had it, it has been a dream to drive - the engine is always so quiet. Yesterday, after driving back from Glastonbury Festival on Monday (where a small bit of mud may have sprayed underneath) the engine started shaking pretty violently and chugging. When in neutral the revs seem to fluctuate and there is also a smell of burning rubber from under the car. The acceleration seemed a bit slow too. The exhaust was be really pumping out like I'd never noticed and it seems very, very hot. I took it out earlier to the supermarket (about 1 mile away) and it seemed fine. However, when I went to leave, the chugging of the engine has returned as has the smell of burning rubber. It is sounding like one of those really noisy scooters that kids ride about on! The acceleration (especially on a hill start) is really bad, as though it's about to die altogether - I had to put my hazards on at one point as I was crawling along at 5mph. It was taking ages to get up to 20 mph....However, once it gets going it seems fine (although the engine is clearly struggling so I only drove back home). I had a look underneath and everything looks fine - although I did notice the exhaust and the pipes leading up to it seem stupidly hot. HELP? Does it sound like it could be something simple that I might be able to fix myself (I have very little ££££s at the moment) The cambelt was replaced in 1999 at 77k (on 91k now). It passed the latest MOT 3 weeks ago.

Jun 29th, 2011, 21:55	#2
Dog_Book Idiot Last Online: Apr 21st, 2019 17:29 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Derby	head gasket? __________________ Vectra VXR estate convert Experience = V40 1998 2.0 CD lots of mods Busy pestering the poor sods here now

Jun 30th, 2011, 11:43	#4
960kg Premier Member Last Online: Dec 28th, 2022 12:25 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mercville	lack of coolant.....head gasket!!.... __________________ Mercedes C320CDI Sport Estate 3 litre V6 7 Gear Auto Remap 290bhp 628Nm torque @ 1600revs 45.1mpg

Jun 29th, 2011, 23:33	#3
stevo48 Premier Member Last Online: Jul 9th, 2020 20:08 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Halifax West yorkshire	Collapsed cat?

Jun 30th, 2011, 14:23	#5
doodlebug Member Last Online: Jan 28th, 2016 20:18 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Worthing	I guess the first thing to check, to see if the head gaskets gone is to look for water in the oil, and the tell tale sign of 'mayonaise' in the rocker cover? Sounds like it could well be the head gasket to me though...

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