Advice needed on '95 940

I have several minor issues with my 940 I'd like to get some advice/input
on:

1) I have a vacuum leak somewhere. I can hear the tell-tale hissing noise.
It's coming from somewhere around the top of the intake manifold, where
there are several hoses, and "T". The leak is enough to
affect the car's idle. I've sprayed a little WD-40 over the various
vacuum hoses hoping to isolate the leak, but no luck so far. Is there a
typical place where vacuum leaks spring up on this car?

2) My fuel gauge went south. It's been "inop" for almost a year now. So,
I imagine its time to replace it. As I understand, the unit is attached to
the fuel pump and accessed from the trunk of the car. The fuel pump still
works fine, but I'm wondering if I should replace the whole pump/sender unit
at once. What do you think?

3) My water temp gauge only seems to work sometimes. I suspect a bad
contact somewhere. Does anyone know where wire routing for this system is,
so I know where to look?


Thanks,

Bob

 

Suggest this link for answers:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/

All the answers should be there.

 

1) Don't overlook the injector seals.

2) If you buy the sender, the pump comes with it.

3) The temperature sender is mounted on head below the intake manifold,
between cylinders 3 and 4. Check for bad wires there.

However, problems with both fuel and temperature gauges are often at the
other end - either the gauges themselves, the circuit card on the gauge
cluster, or the connections to the circuit card from the dash harness.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

"> Suggest this link for answers:

Thank you. Brickboard is an *excellent* resource, which I use quite often.

However, they tend to lump the 2, 7 and 9 series together in some areas.
Unfortunately, the fuel pump/sender system setup on the 9xx series is
different from the earlier series', and they don't cover it as well as I
would like.

And, as far as the vacuum leak, I haven't found anything (at least not yet)
on the site as far as the typical places to look for leaks for my car.

Thanks again!

Bob

 

Thanks Mike. True to form, you seem to be the man with all the answers! All
good suggestions. So, I will investigate.

I'm still not clear on the pump/sender situation. On-line vendors advertise
the pump alone, the pump/sender as an integrated unit, and I think, possibly
the sender alone. So, I will have to call some of them to see what the story
is. Due to the cost, I'd rather not buy a pump when I don't need one. I
do know that they are installed as an integrated unit, however.

Re: the gauge problems:

It's possible that the gauges themselves are the problem, but I tend to
doubt it, due to the following: The fuel gauge stopped indicating (or would
get "stuck") much earlier than the temp gauge. I could get the fuel gauge
to work temporarily by either going hard over a speed bump, or by opening
the access door to the pump/sender unit in the trunk, and rap on it gently
with the rubber mallet. That indicated to me the problem was with the
sending unit. The temp gauge however, started acting up months later. It
works when it wants to, but most of the time not. But, sometimes it will
start working after I start the car and usually keep on working until I shut
it off. The next time I start the car, more often than not, it fails to
work. Sometimes it is working fine until I make a sharp turn at a decent
speed, then go dead.


Thanks again for the tips!

Bob

 

I've only ever seen the sender unit complete with pump, which is not to
say that it's the only way it's sold. The pump is definitely available
separately. It sounds like your problem is with the fuel sender from
what you say, but I'm still not convinced about the temp gauge.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Yes, the temp gauge problem I will have to investigate. I will first check
the connection at the sender on the head. Hopefully, that's it. If not,
it's likely at the gauge cluster like you say. I hope not...

I just received an e-mail from the thevolvosite.com. For '95 only, they do
sell the fuel gauge sender separately. I don't know if there a design
difference for that year or not, but it looks like it (and it makes sense).
For the most part, '95 is essentially the same as the previous years in the
series, with only minor and subtle differences. For example, I know that the
'95 brake rotors have slightly different demensions than previous years. I
rememeber reading somewhere (perhaps the brickboard site) a run down or list
on the differences/design changes with that series from year to year.

Thanks again!

Bob

 

Just reporting back on my 95' 940 turbo's w/175K miles problems so as to add
to the forum's knowledge base for cars of this model, vintage and mileage:

This one turned out to be a failed intake manifold gasket. Replaced.

Tested enough to determine it is the sending unit in the tank, and not the
gauge itself. Soon to be replaced.

Faulty temp sensor. Replaced.


Another issue, not mentioned that I had to resolve. The car had a
significant oil leak. This turned out to be a failed front cam seal
Replaced, along with intermediate shaft and front crank seals which were not
leaking, but it's probably a good, convenient time. Replaced timing belt as
well. (old belt looked still looked good after 65K and four years).

Summary:

After four years of ownership (I'm the 3rd owner, and purchased the car @
119K miles). The significant items that I've had to deal with and replaced
include (not including the typical "consumable" items such as brake system
components, battery, belts, etc)

1) Cracked radiator (at the plastic neck on the top). @ 143K Common.
2) Replaced coolant thermostat.@ 165K
3) Engine rear seal @ 150K. Leaking oil.
4) Ignition Coil - Uncommon, but it will strand you!
5) Crank sensor - Was still working, but getting very weak.
6) Hose from turbo to air box. Cracked and replaced. Expensive item if
purchased from the dealer, but much less if purchased from other sources. I
bought one that seems to be of much higher quality and heavier duty material
than the original OEM part.

However, other critical (and expensive) systems such as the engine, turbo,
transmission, exhaust system still seem to running strong at 175K. Overall,
I'm very pleased (so far). Most of the stuff I've had to fix or replace
would be expected and typical in any vehicle that age and mileage.



Bob

 

However, other critical (and expensive) systems such as the engine, turbo,

Forgot to mention: the A/C and climate control systems are still working
good!

Bob

 

in my poinion, the 940 was "one of the greats" volvo
mfg......i have owned 2, both w/over 200k miles on
them....nice cars...