Bjorn gets all revved up

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

The 340 was due its MoT today. So I popped down to the lock up, started the engine and, er, got automatic max revs.

Interesting.

I think it's the throttle cable/linkage thing, as pedal feels a bit different.

[spunkymonkey]

Most likely cause of that is the throttle return spring, Richard. They can break without warning and allow the throttle to open wide with virtually no pressure on the pedal. Once there they stay there!

[dafdaffer]

yep broken spring or cable, nothing major

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Had a chance to take a closer look today. I think it's the spring/cable join on the bulkhead. The cable with a knob sort of thing on the end, seems a bit loose inside the spring, and the spring is not squashed (whether it should be, I don't know cause I've not looked closely before).

However, with the engine revving merrily at full revs, I pushed the spring in by hand, and the engine slowed down, then as soon as I let go, up the revs went again.

The accelerator pedal moves up and down pretty much normally and returns to its normal position, so i don't think it's the pedal spring/arrangement.

[spunkymonkey]

You have two springs??? That's a little bit posh!

Most cars make do with one spring (at the engine end) and rely on the cable pulling the pedal back up - hence, if it breaks, the pedal will stay down once pushed. I knew Volvo over-engineered stuff but that's impressive even for them ;D

Certainly sounds like there's an issue with the springing at the business end of the cable but without pics or knowing the layout I'm afraid I can't be more constructive than "sounds like it's broken" - which I suspect you've already twigged

[spunkymonkey]

Ahh, that explains the posh extra spring - kickdown controlled by the outer cable. Ingenious these foreigners! ;D

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Oh my Lord...
This looks complicated.

But thanks ever so much MacP.

The garage that's doing the MoT is probably going to come and tow it away next week sometime.

I may well print off your diagrams and hope they make sense of them! Oh, if I tried to take the aircleaner frying pan off, it would never go back on again - I have that effect when dismantling things.

[pauldaf44]

Oct 9, 2010 21:00:11 GMT Richard DAF Webmeister said:

Oh my Lord...
This looks complicated.

But thanks ever so much MacP.

The garage that's doing the MoT is probably going to come and tow it away next week sometime.

I may well print off your diagrams and hope they make sense of them! Oh, if I tried to take the aircleaner frying pan off, it would never go back on again - I have that effect when dismantling things.

Have a little faith in yourself Mr B. The only way you will get better is to try it. I know from personal experience how nerve racking getting the spanners out can be. Just work methodically and put the screws/bolts back into the holes they came out of. Then when you go to put it back together you will be able to see where they have all come from.

Paul

[33grinder]

Does Mr B have spanners Paul? ;D

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

OK, I got my adjustable spanner out (I don't have many tools) and managed to remove the air cleaner housing. I spotted the carburettor and noticed that the springs/cables were all attached.

Standing by the car pressing the accelerator pedal up and down showed that the carburettor end of things was moving in response to the pedal.

I therefore put the air cleaner assembly back, including the hoses.

I was convinced that the problem is at the bulkhead end, because the connection didn't "seem right".

Then I got my camera phone out -

The little clip thing that holds the spring in situe came off following a little fiddle - can't find it now. But the revving engine symptom was there before it came off.

The cable looks a bit broken to me on the outside - do you think this is the problem?

[33grinder]

Well done and hats off to you Nr B for getting the old adjustable out!

I should think that spring needs a retainer of some sort .

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

No, I don't think I broke the plastic bit when fiddling. The clip came off very easily.

The choke seems to work OK. Always have to push it in as soon as started though otherwise coughs.

And thanks.

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Bit of an update.
Bjorn was recovered and taken away the other day.

Last week, I paid a visit and had a go at starting it again. And was somewhat surprised... It started normally and engine didn't rev up to max automatically. I was even able to drive it out of the garage, but after a few minutes, having manouvered it around the forecourt, pressing the accelerator caused the car to stutter.

This did not surprise me totally, because the throttle cable is all over the place and can be pulled in and out of the bulkhead by hand.

Anyway, I popped to town to have a word with a good independent Volvo specialist, who did all the belts and clutch work for me a a couple of years ago, and between us, we arranged for a recovery truck to come and take the car away to them.

The recovery driver was in to old cars of all sorts, and could not hide his amazement at the fact that it was the first 340 he'd seen for a long time and that it looked "so good and smart". We started the car up and again, to start with, it seemed OK, and we thought we could drive it onto the ramp of the truck. Unfortunately, this was too much for Bjorn (and I feared for the clutch at one point) and it just would not go up under its own steam. So the winch was used.

The recovery driver was so enthused that he actually said, "if you ever feel like selling..."

We'll see what the financial repair damage will be first, I think... But he was so keen, if the price is right, I might be tempted to let it go. I am plainly not a good owner for it because I just don't use it.

I wonder what he'd say if he saw the Bullet?... (Hmmm, interesting thought).

Will keep you posted.

[spunkymonkey]

Good to hear of a dealer who's staff are interested in more than the latest model, Richard! Hopefully the mechanics will be the same (I'm sorry, I refuse to call them technicians because "mechanic" was always a perfectly respected trade in itself - if you could find good ones!)

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Update.

Bjorn is back. In the end, I had it recovered to a friendly independent Volvo specialist who fitted the clutch and drive belts a while back. The people there couldn't get over its appearance and condition!

Now has a replacement throttle cable, MoT, adjusted carburettor and new air cleaner filter.

Looking nice and feeling comfy - when I'm in it, that is...

s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/dafcars/

(Sorry, this link takes you to the whole album and I really can't remember how the heck you separate pictures)

[pauldaf44]

Well done Mr B happy Daffing err volvoing oh you know what I mean ;D

[spunkymonkey]

Great news Richard, and he is looking good!

[33grinder]

Well done Mr. B. Glad to hear Bjorn is born again.