Just got a 95 850 free from a family member. The radiator was leaking and the car overheated. Since then the car only starts when cold, and once it's started and shut off it won't start again until you let it sit for a while. They've supplied me with the new radiator and thermostat, but those two things should have no effect on the car running. Once it starts getting hot, the car will shut off. If I try to start it up again, it will just crank, and after a while a big puff of smoke will come out the engine bay and oil cap.

It has 160k on the odometer, but they said that hasn't worked in a while. From reading a bit on here it's seems to be a common problem with the odometer gear.

Anyways, don't know what's wrong, but can get a junkyard motor with 77k for 700 bucks, so I might go that route, since the motor may have well over 160k.

How can I tell if my motor has an air pump or not? When I go to car-part is asks me to specify but i'm not sure.

So any idea on the running problem?

TIA,

Chris,

 

um i highly doubt your engine is bad with only 160k on it, sounds like a pnp switch to me, is it throwing any codes?

 

Yea it's got a CEL, haven't gotta a chance tohook up the scanner to it. Going to get it in the garage and do that tomorrow.

What is a pnp switch BTW?

Chris,

 

also you can check the onboard diagnostics, http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=2&t=24944
here is the list of codes

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/vol...trouble-codes/

 

For a '95 you don't need a scanner to read the DTC (diagnostic trouble code). Here are the instructions:
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/a2.html

You say it stop running when it gets hot, or it just won't start after getting hot?

And does "getting hot" mean up to normal operating temperature, or is it still overheating?

 

Pulled the codes, which are:

123 - ECT signal missing or faulty
543 - Misfire on at least 1 cylinder
454 - Misfire cylinder 4
454 - Misfire cylinder 2

So... where do I begin! lol. Tried starting it this morning, wouldn't start, battery was too low to keep cranking.

Chris,

 

ECT Is your engine coolant temperature sensor, you might want to check your spark plugs and wires for the missing.

 

sounds like spark

 

With the history of it having been overheated and the mentions of smoke puffing out, I am wondering if you might be looking at a head gasket problem. Is the oil nice and brown as it should be - or kind of milky-looking? Any smoke out the exhaust pipe when it is running - and what color? Any traces of oil in coolant or exhaust gasses being forced into the coolant reservoir?

 

Didn't get the chance to change the plugs yet. But I pulled the old plugs, and they all have a nasty black crud on it. It's not soft like soot, it's hard like crusty. They are all coated in this. I'm thinking it overheated and messed up the plugs, and now it's not getting a good enough spark to start.

Tomorrow new plugs go in.

Chris,

 

Changed the plugs and somehow got it started. Smoke is coming out the coolant overflow bottle, it needs a headgasket. Engine also makes loud ticking noise.

Guess it's time for a new motor.

Chris,