740 td UK, idle speed?

That sounds like typical fuel consumption for that car, I've encountered one running 760TD so far and it seems that's about what the owner said he was getting for mileage. The car was an automatic though as most 700s here are.

should be 830 +/- 50 rpm. Mine did 1:13- 1:14 if I stayed of the motorway. First thing to check is probably injectors (min opening 140 bar, torque

Engine is also used in the VW LT, and err you've found the overdrive i hope?

Gearbox is ZF so there is no overdrive. However it is a four speed box with torque lockup over 57mph in fourth, which is like an overdrive. Stuart you need to go to your dealer (Volvo) and order part number V97000164, pay him the £30:00 up front and it should reach you by the next working day. Oh yes, it is the Volvo Green book for the D24 diesel engine in it's three guises (diesel, Turbodiesel and Turbodiesel with Intercooler); with power levels of D 85bhp, TD 109bhp and TIC 122bhp. How many miles are on the clock? There are some tips to keep it running nicely. If you e-mail me I can let you know the tips. I run a 945 with TIC on 100% Biodiesel fuel. I have just replaced the Injectors and one glowplug and stuck a new battery on it. It now runs better than when new at 168,000 plus miles.

All the best, Peter.

Thanks for the comments guys. OK it's a1988 model 163,000 miles/ manual 4 speed transmission with electrically activated overdrive. Looks like I,ll just have to put up with the fuel consumption , but thanks for the input.

I don't think I ever managed 1:10. even on the German Autobahn. A diesel specialist should be able to check and adjust all the basics in two hours.

I have had a 1990 740 TD manual Estate since last September. It has just over 240,000 miles on the clock, and has 'allegedly' a replacement engine. The engine looks old enough to be original, however, so presumably from another vehicle, perhaps even a van as it has VW on it.

I have had 'interesting times' with it, mainly due to lack of engineering skill on the part of the company which sold it to me.

It seems to be running fine at the moment, apart from some problems with oil smoke on starting from very cold, or after a long period of slow driving (around 1,000 rpm).

The tickover is about 900 rpm, which is a little high. I have had it given the once over by a diesel specialist and in general the injectors etc. seem O.K.

On the subject of MPG:

when I first started driving it, I drove it much like my previous TD (a Peugeot 405 TD) i.e. much like a petrol vehicle; rev the engine to get more power, more than 10% over the 70mph limit on long runs. This didn't seem to affect the MPG (40-42), not even towing made much difference.

I was getting 29-31 mpg and wondering what was wrong.

I have now modified my driving style. I pull away slowly, change up as soon as the revs get to 3,000 (turbo really kicks in at 2,000) and go to overdrive as soon as possible. I try not to use more than half throttle. Keep the revs below 3,000 on the motorway. This doesn't seem to slow me down much - although I am slower away from lights and roundabouts, the vehicle just keeps accelerating because of the torque and gets to

I am now getting around 35mpg, which is not bad for such a large vehicle with such an unsophisticated diesel engine.

So, keep it in the 2,000 to 3,000 rev range wherever possible. Avoid full throttle - it doesn't seem to do much apart from throwing unburnt fuel out the back. Smooth and steady does it :-)

HTH Dave R

The engines were supplied to Volvo by VW. IOW they all had VW stamped all over. The fuel and oil filters did say Volvo when they were new.

Bob

However they are slightly different. Volvo put their own crankshaft pulley on and drilled and tapped a hole to take the dipstick tube. There are a few more minor differences. I had a VW commercial garage swap out one on my 760 GLE turbodiesel that didn't take kindly to a repair by a non-VW/Volvo repairman. Cost was £3,200 (in UK).

All the best, Peter.