bought a 89 240 gl 6 months ago. 82,000 miles. runs great. bought for daughter's first car. automatic.
last week, ex and daughter were driving it. they say it lost almost all power, barely run and that it started to run hot. luckly ex (i remember some redeming qualities in her, lol) does read gauges and stopped before too hot. they limped it home.
i have not had much time to dig into it, but last week i did check it out quickly. started it and it did run rough initially but smoothed out when warmed up. expansion tk only took about a gallon of water. when all warmed up, took it out for a quick spin, ran it hard and no problems. temperature normal, running fine.
i have to think that there are two seperate problems here unless somehow that the water pump (yes, i know they are a weak spot in this motor) is binding and holding back engine. any thoughts?
btw. i was a long time volvo owner for 17 years. first one was 74 140. then new black 82 turbo 240 glt (best car i ever had) 85 760 turbo (only 4 speed 760 i ever saw) 94 940 turbo wagon.
thanks for any input
bill

 

Check the water pump and thermostat.

 

Tech is right. Look at the weep hole on the water pump. It is right under the pulley. use a small mirror and a flashlight. Any evidence of leakage out of the hole and you know the water pump is going. When you change the thermostat I have always had to loosen the bolts slightly on the thermostat housing to let the air escape as the engine heats up the first time. If you don't do this it overheats.

 

Or you can take it out and dog the He** out if it and the thermostat will open before it overheats.