What are the comon problems 340?

[DKrwd]

Hi, guys im new to this website, looking to buy a volvo 340 1.4/1.7. Want to know what are the comon problems are and technical? How do they like on fuel?
thx kev

[244T]

None...... years since I have had one but they were fantastic little cars!!!! Oh the only thing I do remember changeing a few of was the rubber coupling for the steering.

The 1.4 engine is just about indestructable!! Gearbox would be happy with 3 times the power going through it, so that wont give any bother either.

Hope this simple message helps

[SteveP]

Lots! But mainly rust... in the rear of the sills, jacking points, a pillars, front valances, wings, tops of rear doors on 4/5 doors being the main places.

Suspension can wear but never bad enough to fail MOT (apart from front strut cups rusting out and collapsing!). But fairly cheap to replace, rear shocks are dead easy for example.

Carb bases warp on the 1.7, creating air leaks and rough running. Shame as otherwise it seems a good engine. Chris C had one make over 200,000 miles in his car.

Prop splines can wear causing the prop to fall off, usually only happens with higher power applications though!

1.4 is a nice, simple engine, and not a lot seems to go wrong with them - the carbs sometimes shake loose and need re-tightening. My money would be on a late 1.4 340 GL. Also timing chain driven so no need for renewing cambelts.

Out of interest where abouts in Birmingham are you?

[kelvingenders]

Get a 360 2.0i...just faultless

[TonyS9]

The 360s are nicer but heavy on fuel, 30mpg max. The fuel pump fuse on the injections gets a bad connection sometimes otherwise, yes, very very reliable.

All use the 240 gearbox, 360s use 240 engine aswell.

1.4 more basic reliable Renault engine but won't do high mileage (<150K IMO). Quite economical 40+ average mpg on long journeys for a good one.

1.7 is the more modern Renault Engine, unreliable IMO but a few do go to high miles. Rear cam distributor oil seal can be slightly leaky causing weak spark, needing a new cam. 1.7 carbs and water systems seem to suffer more aswell.

The 300 series is getting old now so you will get the odd more obscure faults with general wear and tear, front suspension, exterior door handles, avoid factory sun roofs if possible. Rear axles bend causing toe-in. Most things that break or wear out last 10 years+ so its usually worth repairing. But the down side is Volvo don't provide the unique parts for it any more, it doesn't seem to be a problem though.

[John Steed]

I had a 340GL Auto for 15 years from new. Excellent car. A few minor niggles. Drive belt life seems completely random; the first set failed under warranty at 6000 miles, second lasted about 25000. The mounting for the air filter is a pain; on the 1.4 Renault engine, it's bolted on to the carb and the vibration breaks the mount. Cured by replacing the original bolts with giant self-tapping screws. I once had a mystery oil leak from the transmission. Volvo dealer said nothing wrong, "just an old car", but neighbour found a copper washer was split and fixed the problem easily. Needed new starter motor after about 12 years (doesn't anything last?)

It's over 10 years since I sold the car, but my impression was that provided the body is intact, you can just go on bolting new parts on as the old ones fail until the cows come home! I'm now back to Volvos after trying Renault and Mercedes.

Good luck!

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by TonyS9

1.4 more basic reliable Renault engine but won't do high mileage (<150K IMO). Quite economical 40+ average mpg on long journeys for a good one.

Have to pick issue with this I'm afraid... there are various people making well over 150k and so me over 200k on their 1.4's - bomb proof little engine, low tax, most common engine for spares, nearly the performance of a 360... almost a no brainer

[v70classic]

Originally Posted by TonyS9

All
1.4 more basic reliable Renault engine but won't do high mileage (<150K IMO). Quite economical 40+ average mpg on long journeys for a good one.


The 300 series is getting old now so you will get the odd more obscure faults with general wear and tear, front suspension, exterior door handles, avoid factory sun roofs if possible. Rear axles bend causing toe-in. Most things that break or wear out last 10 years+ so its usually worth repairing. But the down side is Volvo don't provide the unique parts for it any more, it doesn't seem to be a problem though.

id disagree my old y reg 340 did 460k by the time it was scrapeed, needed one new timming chain about 10 carbs, valves redoing, yet still kept going. In the end the crank ratteled at cold, the front wings had started to go and rot at the bottom of the windows, nothing structural though. was basically indestructable though, you were lucky to get 30mpg out of them.