D24T.com  

Go Back   D24T.com > Technical Discussion Area > Diesel Engine and Drivetrain

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-31-2014, 08:23 AM
VolvoVanguard VolvoVanguard is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Default Losing Power, SOS

I have a 1981 245 Diesel Wagon with around 180,000 miles on it. It starts great, but after less than 5 miles (it has been progressively less distance) begins to lose power & run hot, and then dies. The car is currently in the shop, and the mechanic assures me he's done multiple tests to see if it's the head gasket, and they all came up negative. Here's a list of what's been done recently:

- The fuel pump has been rebuilt
- The valves have been set
- The fuel filter is brand new
- The timing has been set
- The tank has been checked for any blockage

The mechanic has been working on these cars for many years, but he seems to be stumped at this point. He says he's thinking it over and doing research, but I would appreciate if anyone has any thoughts on what it could be. Everyone I've talked to says it sound very much like a fuel issue, but all parts of that system seem to be fine when they're tested. It truly is a mystery, and one I'm trying to get to the bottom of before the snows set in. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated, I just want to get this gorgeous car going!

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by VolvoVanguard; 10-31-2014 at 08:24 AM. Reason: omission
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-31-2014, 08:45 AM
ngoma ngoma is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,351
Default

Will it restart after it dies?

How hot does it get?

Oil pressure?

Blocked exhaust?

Blocked radiator? (Does the radiator get uniformly hot over its entire surface?)

Water pump?
__________________
1985 744 gle d24t
1985 745 gle d24t
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-31-2014, 09:51 PM
VolvoVanguard VolvoVanguard is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Default Re: ngoma

In response to your questions:


- Yes, it will restart after 20-30 minutes, once it cools down. It will idle all day with no overheating.

- It dies before the temperature gauge gets into the red, maybe up to 3/4.

- The oil pressure gauge says all is well.

- The radiator, exhaust and water pump I've not thoroughly checked; do you think one of those could make it die after a few miles?

- (This wasn't one of your questions, but I wanted to mention that this car is not a turbo.)

Thank you for your prompt reply, I feel confident this thing is on its way.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-01-2014, 09:26 AM
RedArrow RedArrow is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Vehicle: 1986 Volvo 745 TD
Posts: 900
Default Heat advisory

When our d24 did similar things, 240 ended up at mechanic who said it had a bad thermostat (opening `late`/ or not at all) Car never overheated dangerously but was running with gauge showing higher than optimum+ some power loss. No issues at idling...He suggested replacing the radiator too so I never really got to know which one of these caused a real issue. Things are connected there.

After warmed up (or being hot already) `tired d24s` dont/cant/wont start up nicely if compression is not proper (but that does not happen suddenly but slowly developing) We had that too before engine overhaul (long story,rings broke,etc,bad type of oil,bad plugs,tap water,other *stupid* sh.t! and such abuse)

I hope you figure it out asap! As meteorologists say it in the Summer: ``Temperature kills!`` ...
Here`s an old school photo from the early 90`s.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg check brick.jpg (35.3 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg a bricks halloween.jpg (19.8 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg Volvo 240GLED6 hunting.jpg (93.7 KB, 15 views)

Last edited by RedArrow; 11-01-2014 at 10:06 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-02-2014, 07:51 AM
ngoma ngoma is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VolvoVanguard View Post
- The radiator, exhaust and water pump I've not thoroughly checked; do you think one of those could make it die after a few miles?.
Hard to say. I've seen a water pump impeller loose on its shaft so it doesn't pump coolant like it should. But if the engine is shutting down from excessive overheating, that's got to be hard on the internals. Pistons expanding in their bores, etc.

Does it sound different as it approaches the shut down? Smoke? Stutter? Lose power? Usually, an engine getting hot enough to seize up really gives noticeable symptoms; open the hood and it's real hot, smells of burning oil, sounds of frying oil, steam out the radiator overflow, etc.

When you try to restart it immediately after it shuts down, does the starter spin the engine at normal speed? Or does it labor, as if the engine is seized up?

Has the engine been run low on oil? Coolant? Ever used a stop-leak product?

How far out of spec were the valves?
__________________
1985 744 gle d24t
1985 745 gle d24t
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-02-2014, 08:40 AM
745 TurboGreasel 745 TurboGreasel is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Freedom CA
Vehicle: 85 745, 84Suburban 96Ram
Posts: 509
Default

The time does sound about right for a thermostat in 'shut' mode.

What happens if you idle instead of driving?

Any chance there is gasoline in the tank? that will run worse and worse before stopping.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-02-2014, 10:09 AM
ngoma ngoma is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,351
Default

745 TurboGreasel, In case you missed it:

Quote:
Originally Posted by VolvoVanguard View Post
It will idle all day with no overheating.
__________________
1985 744 gle d24t
1985 745 gle d24t
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-02-2014, 05:42 PM
VolvoVanguard VolvoVanguard is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Default More info

I don't think it's getting hot enough to boil over before it shuts down. It doesn't stutter or sound any different, but it definitely losing power, big time. We never experienced any of those signs of a typically overheated engine, i.e steam, frying sounds.

As for trying to start it right back up, I'll have to check with the mechanic and get back to you. We got it to start alright once after dying, but then later on another occasion it had to rest a few minutes (though this could have owing to a low battery, loose alternator belt, etc.)

For the three years before the problem started it was never run low either on oil or water, and never had stopleak applied. Half the valves needed thicker shims, but the car was running fine before that was done.

It's worth mentioning that the mechanic told me it's dying sooner now, less than a half mile down the road and so before it gets hot. Considering how neatly it would seem to fit the symptoms, would him getting a false negative from head gasket tests be possible? If the car was tested only while idling, could that mask the gasket being a bust?

Any suggestions on what I should have the mechanic check out or do to the car would be much appreciated. It's been there for two months, and I'm looking forward to solving the mystery and getting the machine out on the road.

Thanks again in advance
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-26-2017, 05:28 PM
Oem1952 Oem1952 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Default Did you ever get this resolved?

I have a 1982 245 Diesel with the EXACT same problem! Would love to know if you resolved this. Thanks so much!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.