Engine: 2.3 F/Inj B23E/B230F: 240 Problems :sad-smiley-047:

[Helena9523]

HI Folks,

I have a very poorly 240, 2 weeks ago the car backfired under the bonnet and blew the airbox to pieces. The car is fitted with an LPG system and this is not the first time it has done it (Twice in 6 months now). We got recovered back home and when we tried to start it to get it on the drive, it would fire up but instantly die unless you kept your foot on the accelerator, the car will not idle at all.

The lovely AA man pulled the plugs, they were wet and coated in carbon. He suggested the engine was flooded and to leave the plugs out to let the fuel evaporate.

Roll on a week later and we cleaned up the plugs, put them back in only for it to have the same issue. We checked that both fuel pumps are working, and changed the fuel filter. Checked all the ignition parts and they are all good.
Upon pulling the plugs again they are soaked and black again, even though the car had only been turned over 4 times. During the 3rd and 4th turn over though, the engine was acting like it was hydrolocking/seizing during turn over. I have now left the plugs out and ordered new ones. But I'm stuck as to what to do next.

Unfortunately I've not owned the car long and any books I have for it are rather confusing

The car is a '89 245, UK, K-JET 2.3 Petrol/gas conversion.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Helena9523

HI Folks,

I have a very poorly 240, 2 weeks ago the car backfired under the bonnet and blew the airbox to pieces. The car is fitted with an LPG system and this is not the first time it has done it (Twice in 6 months now). We got recovered back home and when we tried to start it to get it on the drive, it would fire up but instantly die unless you kept your foot on the accelerator, the car will not idle at all.

The lovely AA man pulled the plugs, they were wet and coated in carbon. He suggested the engine was flooded and to leave the plugs out to let the fuel evaporate.

Roll on a week later and we cleaned up the plugs, put them back in only for it to have the same issue. We checked that both fuel pumps are working, and changed the fuel filter. Checked all the ignition parts and they are all good.
Upon pulling the plugs again they are soaked and black again, even though the car had only been turned over 4 times. During the 3rd and 4th turn over though, the engine was acting like it was hydrolocking/seizing during turn over. I have now left the plugs out and ordered new ones. But I'm stuck as to what to do next.

Unfortunately I've not owned the car long and any books I have for it are rather confusing

The car is a '89 245, UK, K-JET 2.3 Petrol/gas conversion.

I'm sorry to hear of your problem.

The symptoms are very un-240like, so I'd suggest the issue is with the LPG system rather than the Volvo part of the motor. It must somehow be possible to disable the LPG system, if there isn't a switch then by removing a fuse. I'd suggest doing that first - if the issue goes away then you will know where the fault lies.

The motor car sounds rather dangerous at the moment; it would be a good idea to take it to a LPG specialist to be checked before you use it again.

Good fortune,

[Juular]

I agree, isolate the lpg system and see how that goes first.

On the kjet side, a metering plunger stuck high in the bore would do what you describe, as would the cold start injector being stuck open.

[Moomoo]

Would an engine with very advanced ignition timing have similar symptoms?

The hydro-locking that is !

[Helena9523]

Originally Posted by Othen

I'm sorry to hear of your problem.

The symptoms are very un-240like, so I'd suggest the issue is with the LPG system rather than the Volvo part of the motor. It must somehow be possible to disable the LPG system, if there isn't a switch then by removing a fuse. I'd suggest doing that first - if the issue goes away then you will know where the fault lies.

The motor car sounds rather dangerous at the moment; it would be a good idea to take it to a LPG specialist to be checked before you use it again.

Good fortune,

Unfortunately this isn't your average 240

The LPG system is fine on it, it actually fires up every time on that but again will not idle. We're able to turn the LPG system off so it's not effecting the engine side of things.

I spoke with a specialist yesterday and he advised that a faultily injector could be causing the over fueling thus it hydro locking. So going to get this checked and sorted first. Then see if this helps with the idling.

I know in the past when the LPG system has backfired it won't run on LPG but will run fine on petrol. But this time it'll fire up everytime on the LPG but not on petrol.

[Helena9523]

Originally Posted by Juular

I agree, isolate the lpg system and see how that goes first.

On the kjet side, a metering plunger stuck high in the bore would do what you describe, as would the cold start injector being stuck open.

I have read this that if the cold start injector is stuck open it can cause over fueling and looking deeper into it, it causes most the symptoms the car has. What would be the best way to test if this is faulty?

[Juular]

Undo all 5 injectors (the 4 in the head just pull out) and put them in jars / bottles, then try to start the car.

If you use 4 equal sized bottles you can see if any are sticking open / closed or otherwise fuelling much more than the others.

Be careful with sources of ignition here, as you'll have fuel everywhere.

[classicswede]

It is a common issue. The backfire has done some damage that will need to be repaired for it to run on petrol again. Seen the problem and had to fix it a few times. Would need the car for a day to sort it

The injectors will be fine

Do not try and run the car on petrol until it is fixed or you will damage the engine. Start and run LPG only for now.

[Helena9523]

Originally Posted by classicswede

It is a common issue. The backfire has done some damage that will need to be repaired for it to run on petrol again. Seen the problem and had to fix it a few times. Would need the car for a day to sort it

The injectors will be fine

Do not try and run the car on petrol until it is fixed or you will damage the engine. Start and run LPG only for now.

What’s the problem then and we can look at fixing it? Unfortunately the car is not drivable at all. It will start on lpg but not run on it, same for petrol but now we seem to have an over fueling issue aswell…The car loses all power once you take your foot off the accelerator and the plugs are soaked with fuel and carbon everytime you pull them out. So car is driveway bound for now and i really need to get it back up and running asap.