Newbie could do with some advice

Hi all. You got some great info going on in this site and much of it makes for pleasent reading.
I bought the wifey a V40 CD on a "P plate" with the 2 litre petrol engine with 81k on the clock to use as a "run about". The car had been sorned for the past 6 months or so on a farm, just after it had been MOTed as the previous lady owner had to go into hospital for some considerable time. Being in a bit of a state cosmetically and a bit rough round the edges its needed some work, it came cheap ( I think ). £560 notes

Anyways, things I've done so far:
1. new discs and pads at front
2. new barke flexi hose at back
3. new plugs, oil and air filter
4. fixed leaking sunroof (wife wasn't too pleased with the onboard shower facility)
5. fixed radio and lighting
6. put some redex in the tank, done 350 miles on this tank so far
7. rubbed down, treated and painted sills and back arches
8. refurbed alloys

Things that are causing me some difficulty:
1. When engine is cold it coughs and splutters and lacks power, almost like the old cars with manual choke when you didn't set it properly. Once it gets above 70C it drives fine. Would this be down to the lambada sensor or would putting it in for a tune up help?
2. Think its running a bit on the rich side as there is always exhaust smoke, even at idle - not an unusual colour - just there. Seems to idle steady though just above the 500rpm.
2. Thought the exhaust had a bit of a blow but the noise seems to be from inside the cat. Is this usual on a volvo ( almost a sort of gurgling noise ).
3.Alarm not working - rcl working fine useing key or fob. When useing fob the drivers side indicators flash continually. Have checked and cleaned micro switch on bonnet but still no luck, should I replace or could it be something else?
4. Clunk noise from front as you drive over rough / pot holed road surface. Would this be roll bar bushes or possibly engine mounts? Shocks seem to be ok as far as I can see.
5. Haven't changed the fuel filter as yet as I am unsure where it is, could someone advise please.

This is all very much a learn as I go experience for me and a bit of a new hobby as much as anything else. This is the first Volvo I've had but compaired to normal car (vectra) I don't think it will be our last.

If anyone can give me some pointers on the issues listed above I'd be very grateful indeed. No doubt I will be back asking for more advice but in the meantime enjoy yer volvos!

[gnhuk]

#4 isn't unusual - mine does that at slow speeds but there is nothing lose...

Probably an "Italian tune up" (i.e. thrash it) followed by a stage 0 (plugs/points etc) will sort some things out. If it's drinking fuel like its going out of fashion the ECU temp sender and/or thermostat are suspect. Running rich at start up is most likely the MAF/MAP - spray with carb cleaner and lumpy/uneven idle clean IACV / Throttle body with carb cleaner.

Most of the issues have been done to death here so searching will usually find a solution

was the bill so high for the service because they did the 1000 mile overdue timing band.
the cold start will be cured by new injectors

[Big T]

Most vovlo S/V 40's smoke on idle, mine does it, if it's black then it's fuel and running rich, white is water and blue oil, mine's a sort of grey and i put it down to condensation in the exhaust!!!

Clunk on the front over bumps i would say is your drop links are knackered, again thats a fault i had on mine and also know that it's quite a common fault!!!

Need to do cambelt if it hasn't already been done!

Thanks for the advise guys, all help is welcomed. Just had the car for a longish drive today. 150 mile round trip and the fuel guage hasn't dropped a bar yet, beginning to wonder if its working properly :-) Range says its still got 385 to go so it doesnt seem to be drinking the petrol which is a good thing.

£560 wasn't the price for the service by the way, Im doing that bit myself - £560 was the price of the car!

Timing belt would probably do some good and yes, I'll have to look into that but it may have to wait till after xmas.

Anyway, thanks againg for the pointers!
Richard

[callyuk]

the knock from the front could be down to wish bone bushes might be worth giving them a check

Originally Posted by i saw it first its mine

the cold start will be cured by new injectors

Woah there, serious money to do all that if it ain't the problem!

Try more redex etc. to clean those injectors first.

But I would say the temp sensor could be knackered and the car doesn't realise its cold.


2. (you had two number 2.s ): Gurgling noise could be air lock in the cooling system.

5. Under near side rear between rear wheel and door remove the plastic cover over the trailing arm front bush and you will find the filter, make sure you get the new one the correct way round unless they changed it dramatically between yours and mine then flow is from front of car towards rear but should be indicated by an arrow on the existing filter.

4. Does the red LED on the dash (passenger side) flash at all when activate alarm/lock door?

Pete