BW35 autobox in 1800ES

[volvobysea]

Another good thread. I also have an 1800es auto and according to how many left there are only 2 auto's on the road and 2 on SORN. I also never realized the oil cooler was in fact a heat exchanger but considering how sluggish the auto box is from cold it does make sense.
I assume your car must be one of the ones on SORN and it would be interesting to know if the other car that is on the road is a forum member.

Gavin

[cassell]

Originally Posted by volvobysea

Another good thread. I also have an 1800es auto and according to how many left there are only 2 auto's on the road and 2 on SORN. I also never realized the oil cooler was in fact a heat exchanger but considering how sluggish the auto box is from cold it does make sense.
I assume your car must be one of the ones on SORN and it would be interesting to know if the other car that is on the road is a forum member.

Gavin

Hi Gavin, no, my ES has never been SORN and has been in virtually constant use for its 49 years, I've owned it for 23 of them and use it regularly during summer months!

The 'How many left' website is full of inaccuracies, I personally know of at least a dozen automatic ES's in use and SORN from either personally seeing them at events or from online sales adverts. The discrepancy arose back in the days when dealerships submitted a V55 form to Dept of Transport (DVLA's predecessor) to register a new car and didn't complete all of the boxes. If 'automatic' wasn't noted, the car just went on file as a manual, hence why most of todays 50 or so ES records on How many left don't accurately represent our automatics.

Another issue is that many dealership clerks put the model number rather than the chassis number onto the V55, this has resulted in several cars being recorded with the same chassis number (1834362) and causing problems at computerised MOT time (ask me how I know!!)

Picture of my ES for reference, currently having surgery for new timing gears, camshaft and other bits and pieces during the winter break.

[volvobysea]

Thanks for the information and the excellent picture of your car puts mine to shame. I thought the website was inaccurate as I have too, seen several autos for sale.
I assume you were caught out, as I was about the inaccurate chassis no that came to light when the MOT went onto computer. I had a guy that came down on a special trip from Exeter to check the car over. I live in a cove on the North Cornish coast and I suppose it was a good day out.
I have owned my car for nearly 40 years and it has been in use for most of those years. I am not surprised you are working on the camshaft and gears as this seems to be weak point as when I had my engine reconditioned about 20 years ago one of the cam lobes had worn almost circular. I also had a previous b20A engine in a 144 that stripped its fibre gear. Good luck with your repairs.

Gavin

[Bob Meadows]

As already mentioned a hydraulics shop should be able to supply what you need:~ Nothing magical with these threads whatever they be - always had excellent service from our outlets with some taking a real interest in the various cars.
Regards Bob.

[cassell]

Originally Posted by volvobysea

Thanks for the information and the excellent picture of your car puts mine to shame. I thought the website was inaccurate as I have too, seen several autos for sale.
I assume you were caught out, as I was about the inaccurate chassis no that came to light when the MOT went onto computer. I had a guy that came down on a special trip from Exeter to check the car over. I live in a cove on the North Cornish coast and I suppose it was a good day out.
I have owned my car for nearly 40 years and it has been in use for most of those years. I am not surprised you are working on the camshaft and gears as this seems to be weak point as when I had my engine reconditioned about 20 years ago one of the cam lobes had worn almost circular. I also had a previous b20A engine in a 144 that stripped its fibre gear. Good luck with your repairs.

Gavin

Thanks Gavin, yours is a lovely looking car too. I've only ever seen that colour ES in photos and never in the flesh in UK although my late father had a 1973 Volvo 145 estate that colour.
Yes, I too had a visit from a VOSA examiner back in 2003 when my car's identity was questioned following an MOT test computer input, all worked out OK in the end.

I was convinced I had a broken/worn fibre camshaft gear by the tapping noise, but like yours it turned out to be a very worn camshaft lobe and an equally worn follower. I'm therefore replacing the timing gears, camshaft and all followers as well as having the head skimmed and hardened valve seats if they think its worthwhile, mine has done 97k miles.