S40 Test Drive

First of all, in this blog I just want to briefly share my S40 test drive experience. Just to be short and precise. What did I think of S40??

1-In cabin noise in obvious, even my 240 have less noise. This is not a joke. I posted this on a Volvo Club Forum and one of the S40 owner told me that it was because of the factory fitted tyres. He just changed it into another brand and happy with it!

2-Power and responsiveness was great. I love to use the 'Manual MODE' of the shiftronic transmission. Yeah, logic!

3-Ergonomically perfect. This is the most important feature I'll look around with new cars.

4-Handling? I am not sure, but I somehow rather feel that 240 grip the road firmer, 240 have more solid handling though, not to be biased! Maybe S40 is a FWD, while 240 is a RWD with 'live rear axle', maybe...

5-If i got that amount of money, will I buy S40?? At this point of time, maybe NOT. I think better get a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry brand new for cheaper price, not bad performance, comfort also, and the most important part in my judgement is they are bigger than S40...eheheheh....

All in all I think S40 is not for luxuriness, but for sportiness! Good Day :)

Top-Up Aircond Gas

I got my aircond gas top-up by a local aircond shop. Reason being is just that it started to feel warm. I recalled that my last service was done on March this year, so its just about eight month of usage. I told the aircond man and suggest that there might be leaks anywhere. Then he told me that if in any case there is a leak; which take almost eight month to diminish the gas, the leak must be a very small leak and no point of him tracing it down as it will be very tiny and difficult to trace. Thus he suggest that we top-up the gas first, and if the gas reduces significantly, then the hunt begins! Paid RM20 for gas top-up...Update later.

p/s - Thanks Mr Fadli for the great photos!

Two million miles in a Volvo P1800

In 1998, The Guinness Book of World Records honoured Irv Gordon's Volvo P1800 as the vehicle with the "the highest certified mileage driven by the original owner in non-commercial service". Today, Gordon is breaking his own world record every time he drives his celebrated car.

"Of the 260 million vehicles on the road in the United States, only a handful have accumulated one million miles, and until now, none have made it to two million," said Dan Werbin, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. "We like to say that 'there are cars, and then there are Volvos,' but there is more involved here than the wisdom of our engineers in developing a car that could last so long and travel so far. Irv's meticulous care of his Volvo over the years has played a significant role.'

Ten Tips To Help Make Your Car Last Two Million Miles – by Irv Gordon

1. Start with a car you like.
2. Change your oil and filter regularly.
3. Use factory equipment parts.
4. Use one brand of oil.
5. Spend a few minutes a week checking under the hood.
6. Wash your car regularly.
7. Wax at least twice a year.
8. Develop a good working relationship with your dealer and mechanic.
9. Use gasoline from a high volume station.
10. When your car makes a funny noise, listen to it.


p/s - this post was adapted from VCC Malaysia website.

Oil Pressure Sensor Wire Kaput ??

Oil Pressure light went off?? Do not panic. Me and my friend who drives the same 240 faced exactly the same issue past months. First, I thought the bulb itself has blown. But because of time constraint, I just left it like that. Though I know that the oil pressure warning light is important because anything can just happen to your oil engine, be it massive leaking whatsoever. Upon checking around the oil pressure sensor (just beside your oil filter), found out the connecting wires went kaput. It can be obviously seen it was oxidized and getting cut by itslef through time. Simple solution; took it to an auto electrician and connect it back. SIMPLE! The warning light comes back and now I am happy :)

Just for interest, I put here the picture of the oil pressure sensor, yeah it is a simple sensor I think.

When Its Gone

OK guys, no car for almost three weeks now. Nice man. Sometimes we have to learn about hardships by experiencing it. We can always symphatise on poor or disabled individuals. I was lucky to experienced the hardship; no money, no car, walk all along under the hot sun, less food, in hunger. Oh Allah, its nice man, really. Try it! Hopefully next week I will drive back the car.

p/s - my dad driving it now..... the below pix was during my very first meet up with Mark1 of VOCM, yeah he drives a B230K also :)

Transmission Calculator - Z Design Studio

Transmission Calculator! Yeah, this is a very good tool. I used this online calculator to check out what is the maximum speed at certain rpm this car (or any other car can go). It is very simple. Key in the gear ratios, and rear differential ration. Key in also your tyre size and the desired rpm. A graph will be plotted. From this graph, one can obtained how mph the car could get in corresponding rpm. Log in to this site --> http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/transmission.html

From http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1989/1989_240/89240_04.htm#pg99, I obtained full specifications for this 1989 240. The gearbox used for this model is the M47 II (manual transmission) with following gear ratios;

1st gear 4.03:1
2nd gear 2.16:1
3rd gear 1.37:1
4th gear 1.00:1
5th gear 0.82:1
Reverse 3.68:1
Rear axle reduction ratio: 3.31:1

I just put up all the above values, plus the tyre size of 185/70/14, and;
rpm of 4000 rpm, the max speed calculated at 5th gear is 106mph or 170.6kmh,
rpm of 4500 rpm, the max speed calculated at 5th gear is 119mph or 191.5kmh.

The question is how accurate this calculation will be? Yeah, I am pretty sure this car is able to reach that given that at 3500 to about 3800rpm, it can reach up to 150 to 160 kmh. There are so many lagging factor which contribute to some reduction from those calculated values. It may include the wind drag, engine wear and tear, tyres condition, suspension system and so on so forth. But its good to know that 240 can run that speed :)

BATTERY TERMINALS !!

Hi guys! Its sad to tell that my hard disk crashed, all VOLVO related pictures, videos, even some pdf documents gone, just like that. OK, for this post, I am going to enlighten on battery terminal placement issue. Tribute goes to Mr Mark for enlightening me on this.

VOLVO 240 originally comes with DIN type of battery. This type of battery basically have lower height of terminals, therefore the chances of getting them short is very low. For this matter also, please take note that the terminal allocation for DIN battery is that, the negative terminal will be beside the fender wall while the positive terminal be beside the air filter box. The main reason between this is that to ensure that if accident occurs, and the fender wall dented into the engine compartment, and hit the battery, they do not shorted because of common ground points between the firewall itself and the negative terminal of the battery. (NOTE:Car body act as ground).

However, the popular NS battery (I have been using now) have reverse polarity allocation of the terminals. This is dangerous as if accident occurs, the fender might get in contact with the positive terminals and they will get SHORTED! This will then produce sparks and some sort of fire likely will occur. Again this is VERY DANGEROUS! Yeah, I am warning myself and you all. As the battery was new, very new, I am planning to cover the terminals and hope for the best. So guys, give extra attention when you change your next battery. GOOD DAY :)

First time ever TREASURE HUNTING :)

Treasure Hunt experience. This is the first time ever I drive this car into a Treasure Hunt. The most scary part was to put stickers on it. It was hard to get convinced that the sticker could be peeled off easily. YES, IT DID!! ALHAMDULILLAH. In this Treasure Hunt organised by the ConvoFair committe of my university; we create an ally of 4 cars. Yeah, my car is the only non-Malaysian car, the most heavy car, the oldest car in the clan. What is the advantage of driving this car in hunt?? The turning radius!! U-turn here & there is a no no problem at all, swing! My car did not win. However 3 others got fourth, third, and second place. Yeah, they took us as an ally, so they kindfully share the prizes. Thanks guys.

This car managed to going up and down hill, tested in sharp corners on country roads. Yeah, great. Total distance travelled is nearly 300km. From UTP, Tronoh, the hunt ended in Taiping. Then we proceed to Bukit Larut for 'express' vacation. Small hiking there, and have fun at the waterfall. Then, going back to UTP. It was about 12 hours of driving, oh man, its tiring my eyes. Conclusively, its fun :)

VOLVO's Oil Filter Piracy :(

To indicate whether the oil filter is original or not is not that difficult, though they are tricky. One can only be very sure of whether the oil filter installed is genuine part or not only after they start the engine, obviously if the oil filter is not the genuine one; NO CHOICE!!

Locally, in Malaysia, I have found few types of oil filters being sold;

• Genuine VOLVO oil filter. The price of this filter may vary from RM25 and above. To recognize this filter is simple, it was labelled with VOLVO logo and some instructions, in DARK BLUE color! Again, to really sure, after installation, the oil pressure warning light will get off immediately after starting. This is because this genuine oil filter is fitted with oil pressure check valve that will maintain the oil pressure (so the light will not turn on).
• MADE IN MALAYSIA, FAKED! This oil filter look pretty same as the original filter. It have VOLVO logo and the same printed instructions on it, but the text is FADED & in LIGHT BLUE color. Using this filter, the oil pressure warning light will remain on the dash for a few seconds after the engine started. This filter may priced between RM16-RM17.
• MANN brand oil filter. This may be an alternative for original VOLVO filters. It may cost around RM20.
• Japan branded! This is the cheapest oil filter I have ever found claimed to suit VOLVOs. I have been offered RM7 only for this filter. Dare not to use it.

Why using original oil filter is very crucial? Did you realized that for 240, using mineral engine oil, the service interval is 10,000km! I have contacted Federal Auto, they confirmed this. Even until now, they keep the 10,000km service interval for 240s using mineral or semi-synthetic engine oil. This is where original oil filter play its role, good filtering! I have once used the MADE IN MALAYSIA filter, its just 5000km and the engine oil was so nice dark! And from then, I not dare to use any other brand of oil filter besides genuine one. GOOD LUCK!!

Mineral to Semi Synthetic.....

The 240 just get engine oil changed. We have decided to migrate from mineral based oil to semi-synthethis engine oil. For this service, I have to be independent; source out parts by myself and send for an independent mechanic to carry out the job.

I got oil filters from Ecco Trading Ipoh (VOLVO parts dealer). I also got washers for engine oil cap and drain plug from them. The engine oil used is the PETRONAS Syntium 800 Semi Synthethic 15W-50. We decided to stick on this brand for coming services. So from now on, I expect oil change to be done every 10,000km, meaning that only twice a year!!

VOLTAGE REGULATOR ISSUE...

Starting from last week these lights keep blinking.. They light up dimly, not so bright. If you did not really see them, you may not notice them. Upon rev up, those lights will slowly goes off. The lights are;

Then last night, I notice from car charging condition LEDs that I installed to 12V cigarette socket show no charging activity. Those LEDs was very useful since this model doesn't equipped with in-dash voltmeter. The car survived the journey, accesories started to dim off and wiper motor slowed down remarkably. Upon parking, the car dies, cannot restart again. To my wonder, with 10V showed on multimeter this morning, I managed to get it started. Drive to the nearest auto electrical shop and diagnosed with faulty voltage regulator. Changed it and there it is, the battery got charged again!!

SOLEX CARBURETOR DIAPHRAGM FIXED :)

For a few weeks, nearly month I noticed that my fuel consumption started to rise up. Petrol fume also can be obviously smelt somewhere around the carburetter. Until one day I notice that there was a leakage at one of the 'square shape mini pump' of the Solex Carburetor. Upon referring to Haynes Manual, it was called as Fuel Pump, refer to the exploded diagram, the whole unit assembly is labelled from no. 72, 73, 74, 75, 76. Obviously, upon rev up, petrol clearly seen to seep out through this mini petrol pump.

I did survey few workshop for this 'critical mission'. I was shocked when told that I have to skim the carburetor base. They claimed that the carburetor might have warped, thats why leakages happened. Lastly I when to see the late mechanic's assistant. He suggested it might be only seals or gaskets or maybe diaphragms. I love simple ideas, so I went to him.

The square pump secured by 4 flat screw. Upon unscrew of all this 4 screw, the assembly will then exposed the assembly. We found out that the diaphragm had worn out. Test with engine oil; pour it into the diaphragm and see if leaks occurs. The diaphragm is labelled as 73, but it comes in one package, both 73 and 74. Bought it from Yonit, local VOLVO and SCANIA parts dealer for RM145 for both diaphragm and the spring. Change it and refit the whole assembly back, very simple work. No special expertise needed for this job I guess.

The accelerator get powerful back now, no petrol leaks, no losses. Tested on highway, owh, to get below 130km/h even with light footed acceleration is not that easy. :)

*FYI Solex Carburetor have 3 diaphragms in total.

Relax, entertain yourselves :)

Hi guys. It have been a while wihout new posts here. A lot of incidents happened around my life. With the death of our mechanic, the episode of sadness covered up my mind when my uncle (who share the same passionate and own a 240SE) passed away too. So whats new?? I just installed back the headlamp wiper!! Yeah, now almost back to original... Actually, this postings is just to give us some break; and entertainment?! Enjoy the song, from my beloved bird.... :))


VOLVO fly VOLVO....vol240.blogspot.com

Up & Down

The car is ready for sale, sometime soon. Reading through this blog, you may judge what is our main reason of selling this lovely car. My dad announced that he cannot keep the car anymore; as the mechanic passed away. We just do not trust any other mechanic to 'touch' this car. Rather than seeing it dying, to sell off (preference is to enthusiats) may be a better solution. If anyone felt interestes in this car, just put your price in the comments column.

We have almost all service records from 1989 up until now. From 1989 to 1996, this car was serviced by VOLVO Authorised Service Center, Federal Auto. Then 1996 up to 2006, we send the car to the late Mr KC Ng, ex-Federal Auto man. Service book stamped by service center, and receipts of repair works done is still well kept; for reference.

Water getting inside cabin issues, settled! Odometer fixed! New glove box! Most of bushes changed, new bushes needed for antiroll bar. The engine, and hydraulic pumps are still excellent. May need top-overhaul few thousands later as it never been top-overhauled. Minimal rusts on the body, for perfection respraying will help. Normal wear & tear only; oil seals, gaskets, carburetter adjustments.

So, how much should this car priced??

the emotional part..... :(

Our regular mechanic, Mr Ng Kok Chai or also known as KC Ng is suffering from liver disease, jaundice; for about 2 months already. He was admitted to Sri Kota Medical Center, then transferred to Subang Jaya Medical Center, and finally now at University Hospital. He got the first alarm when he did his blood test at a clinic, and they found out that his blood got contaminated. He then advised to go to hospital for further clarification. It was at SJMC, where he was confirmed having infections in liver, and he had a weak liver, which make it worse. He told me, the cost for 4 days stay at SJMC was already RM11,000; which is a good reason for him to transfer to UH.

Yesterday, I went to visit him, during my lunch hours. Oh ALLAH!! He is a different man!! His face is so thin, but he is still himself, he still can recognize me, have a normal chit chat, although the pronounciation was not that clear. He had difficulties walking (when he wanted to go to the toilet). His hands shakes vigorously at the moment he want to drink. I was touched, to see a fit and healthy man, turned out to be a weak man. He is only 48 years old, but yesterday he was like a 70 years old man. I wish I can snap some photos, but it might not be a proper thing to do when visiting sick peoples; as if you want to save the 'last' pictures. Then I know, either we have to find out a new good mechanic; which is not easy, or sell the car; which is easier!! Switching to other mechanic after 10 years with him will not be easy.

Another sad part; last Saturday, I went to his workshop for regular oil change. No choice, its due already. His assistant is taking over the business now. For normal service, he can do the job. For major repairs, he also can do the job. But he got experiences, no theoretical knowledge; which i can pretty much say that for diagnostics, he is not the man. He do not have the speciality as Mr KC has. The nice and neat workshop became messy already. KC's neat and nice table, where he reads The Star and write bills, now loaded with parts already. What a sad story. Labor charges also increased, from RM8 to RM10. The 'warmness' is not there anymore.

Anyhow, I still wish him for a speed recovery.

USB in the 240 LIVE!!

Hi all... Just want to share an information. I have bought an MP3 FM TRANSMITTER, with 2 INPUTS; USB & LINE IN , and 2 OUTPUTS; FM & LINE OUT... Bought it last weekend at Pineapple Computers, TESCO Shah Alam for RM80 (not branded laaa, build quality is cheap one), the unit transmit well, but did not play the song well, the nicely transmitted song jerks, jumps, and scratches. Yesterday I went to the same shop and asked for replacement. Yahoo!!! The replacement unit works fine.

The principle is very simple. The unit got powered from the round 12V power supply output socket (cigarette, on the center dash console). Thus, this unit can be used for all cars (and lorries too??). It came with a small antenna wire, to enhance the transmission. Fortunately, the 240 Pioneer stereo system utilize the stock BOSCH in-cabin antenna. The antenna is a small round shaped, attached to the windscreen. As the antenna and its' wiring is INSIDE the car, I do not need to attach the small antenna provided. And the quality is GREAT!!! Its just like you are listening to a digital radio station like ERA. You can notice the difference between digital and analog radio stations, for example try to compare UFM, SelangorFM, with ERA; you will know.



Now, just plug in a USB pen drive, and the songs come out!!! No more wiring hassles, no need to burn CD and all that. Next target is to get a 1GB small size pen drive, and my music store will be on the roadways :)

This picture illustrate the working principle of the FM transmitter...

My First Hit :)

Last Friday night, I accidentally hit my neighbour's car. OMG!! I reverse reverse and reverse until I felt that I hit something, but not that hard, just 'soft hit'. I take a glance at my left side mirror, oooOOOooo, I hit my neighbour's Proton Wira rear door!! I am panic!! I went out the car and told him... Fortunately he is a good uncle. He did not blame me or get angry with me, he laugh at me!! And he said "Never mind, never mind, small dent only"... But still thinking of paying him some amount of money although he did not want it. Consequently, I was thinking of reverse sensor for few days, then...'no need laa...' :)

And another story of our regular mechanic, he felt sick for 2 months now. He suffers jaundice, admitted to hospital, and now back to home. Its just he is not ready for work. Waiting and waiting and waiting for his recovery, so that we can happily get him to diagnose all the vibrations problem we had.

wet exhaust....

survived thunderstorm....

Thank GOD. Yesterday I parked the car outside the house, in the middle of the road, facing heavy rains with thunderstorm. This morning I checked the carpet. WELL DONE!!! No more pool of water. Just some moisture, I beleive the ones left inside the carpet by previous leakages. I am going to observe for few weeks more before decided to go to the next stage; welding, busting off rusts, and touchup paintings.