When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I bought an S40 for my daughter and knew there was work to do but I think I am going deep. Last night, we did some compression testing and think we found low to no compression on two cylinders. We attempted to find the timing marks to see if the belt skipped potentially running some valves into pistons... they really don't make it easy.
Anyway, my mind set us that we are probably pulling the head off this weekend and in the end, likely pulling the motor and completely rebuilding it. By the way, the motor is a 2.4i with about 250K miles on it. The car is very clean with just a few small areas where we planned to repair. This car was purchased for our daughter (first car) and so I have no intentions in spending thousands upon thousands like many people do. I am not afraid of mechanical repairs and know this is doable.
My problem thus far, is... where to buy some kind of rebuild kit. My thoughts are that with this many miles, tearing it down, hot-tanking the block and head, inspecting rods and pistons (replacing if need be), boring or honing the bores, checking the crank main and rod journals and... well, you get the picture. Who sells a rebuild kit for this motor? Are there any suggestions on things to do with it as I build it? Keep in mind, this is for my (almost 16 year old) daughter so performance isn't really something I am leaning towards.
Any experience and help that can be shared is appreciated. Also, if anyone knows of a good website with info or specific YouTube video channels that might be useful, please share.
there are some Volvo friendly sites that sell both genuine and after market parts.
FCP Euro is the one I use the most (then again they are here in CT) plus there's IPD USA on the west coast. Lots of other sites like Rock Auto etc will also sell kits ie a full head gasket kit includes all the rebuild seals etc.
there are some Volvo friendly sites that sell both genuine and after market parts.
FCP Euro is the one I use the most (then again they are here in CT) plus there's IPD USA on the west coast. Lots of other sites like Rock Auto etc will also sell kits ie a full head gasket kit includes all the rebuild seals etc.
Awesome. I appreciate the suggestion. I started going down through the links in one of the sticky’s. I am in US so that is preferred. Didn’t even think about Rock Auto but have heard they are good. Thanks again!
I’ve definitely been considering that alternative. I have been looking into what other models use the same motors. From my VIN I figure I have the B5244S4 motor. It looks like this motor is also in V50, C30, and C70. Can anyone confirm that I am on the right path? These motors look to be pretty solid as I am finding quite a few that are in the upper 100K to lower 200K mile range. My problem is that if my choice is to get a motor from junk/salvage yard with this kind of mileage or go through the rebuild process, I think the time and little more money of rebuilding is worth the extra cost. Whos to say that if I bought a motor from a junk/salvage yard, even if it were under 100K miles, won’t have a similar problem? I am definitely combing the classified ads for a part-out car that I may be able to see the car run.
These motors are really reliable, so chances are good that a car that's in the junkyard - for something other than a drivetrain-related issue - are likely to be OK. That's certainly the path I'd take if I were you, as the cost will be minimal (compared to a true rebuild), and the time required will be a whole lot less too. What I would do is to do a timing belt while you have it out, as it'll be really, really easy. If you can find a 100,000 mile motor (should be lots of 'em) with clean(ish) oil and no obvious signs of neglect, you should be able to get this car back on the road in short order.
And yes, the V50, C30 and C70 do all have the same motor (and a host of other parts) in common with your S40.
google "volvo modular engine wiki" and you'll get a list of what car models share the same engine number and some insights as to the difference between version numbers (deooding B5244S4, its a gasoline (B) 5 cylinder 2.4L, 4 valves per, S - is natural aspiration and 4 is the fourth gen/ version number).
These motors are really reliable, so chances are good that a car that's in the junkyard - for something other than a drivetrain-related issue - are likely to be OK. That's certainly the path I'd take if I were you, as the cost will be minimal (compared to a true rebuild), and the time required will be a whole lot less too. What I would do is to do a timing belt while you have it out, as it'll be really, really easy. If you can find a 100,000 mile motor (should be lots of 'em) with clean(ish) oil and no obvious signs of neglect, you should be able to get this car back on the road in short order.
And yes, the V50, C30 and C70 do all have the same motor (and a host of other parts) in common with your S40.
Thanks for the confirmation on what vehicles to watch for. I definitely see lots of these cars with 200K+ miles on them. This one had 250K so I wasn't surprised that it had deeper issues.
I'm going to go peruse Pick-N-Pull this weekend and see what I can find. I have found a motor on eBay with around 120K miles for around $1200 + shipping. What is a fair price for something like this?
google "volvo modular engine wiki" and you'll get a list of what car models share the same engine number and some insights as to the difference between version numbers (deooding B5244S4, its a gasoline (B) 5 cylinder 2.4L, 4 valves per, S - is natural aspiration and 4 is the fourth gen/ version number).
I'll go find that wiki. I had found some info about decoding but am ready to learn more.
Look into auto auctions I bought mine from copart for a grand but had a bad engine at 170 thousand, I then bought a wrecked s40 from copart as well as a donor for my white 07 donor was an 09 s40 had just over hundred thousand miles I changed the engine, been driving it since June so far so good
Rebuild?! Sad day! 2.4i
