340 1.4 auto overheating

Cypher007 · May 13th, 2003, 10:08

my dads 340 1.4 auto overheated the other day for no apparent reason. the expansion tank was full to the top when he looked under the bonnet and the electric fan had not cut in. after a fews minutes the coolant level started to return to the normal level and the fan sudenly cut in. he is now afraid that the cylinder head gasket is blown and also that the wet liners are damaged. any ideas as to why the car overheated, and if he needs to worry to much, would be appreciated.

May 13th, 2003, 17:21

It is difficult to say why the engine overheated - though it seems likely that the thermostat has given up the ghost - If this is sticking closed, the temperature will rise fairly quickly - the radiator fan will not operate as the sensor for this is in the radiator itself and by definition if the thermostat is jammed, there is no hot water in the radiator.

I would change the `stat and try it out - you`ll soon know if the head has gone - it may overheat(again), bubbles/oil in the coolant, water in the oil etc. etc.

Unfortunately the 1.4 engine is very sensitive to overheating and the heads bend with remarkable speed when things get a bit hot.

That said, as head gaskets go, they are not too difficult to DIY being a very simple engine and being very accessible. AS LONG AS THE LINERS ARE NOT DISTURBED!!! (remove head as described in Haynes and CLAMP the liners while the head is off). I did this job on one of my 340`s about 3 years ago - came to about £70 for a new gasket and a skim. Not a bad job for a summer weekend.

If the liners are disturbed things become a little more complex (there will be a LOT of coolant in the oil) as the pistons will need to be unbolted from the crankshaft from under the car and the liner/piston assemblies lifted out of the top to replace the O ring seals - if you are not going down the DIY route this could be very expensive.

Did your father get the red warning light? My 340 does get quite warm - about 3/4 over in slow traffic before the fan kicks in with no ill effect.

I`d change the `stat and cross my fingers.

May 28th, 2003, 13:04

Not a solution to the problem but remember the old trick if your car is starting to overheat in traffic queue and / or general hot weather - turn your car heater up to full, turn heater blower up to full and try and dissipate heat through passenger saloon (and open windows too for obvious reasons of comfort!). It can often make enough difference to tide you over.

I expect people reading this know these tricks, but I am always surprised at my friends who have never thought of this (albeit most are not technically minded).

Dan

May 13th, 2003, 10:08	#1
Cypher007 Master Member Last Online: Jan 8th, 2024 14:20 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lincolnshire	340 1.4 auto overheating my dads 340 1.4 auto overheated the other day for no apparent reason. the expansion tank was full to the top when he looked under the bonnet and the electric fan had not cut in. after a fews minutes the coolant level started to return to the normal level and the fan sudenly cut in. he is now afraid that the cylinder head gasket is blown and also that the wet liners are damaged. any ideas as to why the car overheated, and if he needs to worry to much, would be appreciated. __________________ Volvo 854 T5R Yellow 1994 Aquamist 2D (Don & Aquamist) BMC panel filter (Don) Ferrita Cat Back (Don) Denso Iridium Spark Plugs (Hong Kong) PowerFlex Top Engine Mount (?) PowerFlex Wishbone Bushes (Elk Parts) 302mm front brake upgrade Goodridge front hoses (rears to be fitted later) 600W Inverter (ebay) History: 1991 Volvo 340DL (1982) 1994 Volvo 360GLE (1989) 1999 Volvo 360GLT (1988) 2002 Volvo 850GLT (1991) 2004 Volvo 850T5R (1994)

May 13th, 2003, 17:21	#2
wjp01908 Guest Location:	RE: 340 1.4 auto overheating It is difficult to say why the engine overheated - though it seems likely that the thermostat has given up the ghost - If this is sticking closed, the temperature will rise fairly quickly - the radiator fan will not operate as the sensor for this is in the radiator itself and by definition if the thermostat is jammed, there is no hot water in the radiator. I would change the `stat and try it out - you`ll soon know if the head has gone - it may overheat(again), bubbles/oil in the coolant, water in the oil etc. etc. Unfortunately the 1.4 engine is very sensitive to overheating and the heads bend with remarkable speed when things get a bit hot. That said, as head gaskets go, they are not too difficult to DIY being a very simple engine and being very accessible. AS LONG AS THE LINERS ARE NOT DISTURBED!!! (remove head as described in Haynes and CLAMP the liners while the head is off). I did this job on one of my 340`s about 3 years ago - came to about £70 for a new gasket and a skim. Not a bad job for a summer weekend. If the liners are disturbed things become a little more complex (there will be a LOT of coolant in the oil) as the pistons will need to be unbolted from the crankshaft from under the car and the liner/piston assemblies lifted out of the top to replace the O ring seals - if you are not going down the DIY route this could be very expensive. Did your father get the red warning light? My 340 does get quite warm - about 3/4 over in slow traffic before the fan kicks in with no ill effect. I`d change the `stat and cross my fingers.

May 28th, 2003, 13:04	#3
dlucas Guest Location:	RE: 340 1.4 auto overheating Not a solution to the problem but remember the old trick if your car is starting to overheat in traffic queue and / or general hot weather - turn your car heater up to full, turn heater blower up to full and try and dissipate heat through passenger saloon (and open windows too for obvious reasons of comfort!). It can often make enough difference to tide you over. I expect people reading this know these tricks, but I am always surprised at my friends who have never thought of this (albeit most are not technically minded). Dan

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