Haynes manual 400-series: B18U vs. B20F

Engines may be different in Sweden than in US, but the B20F was the engine supplied in the early 70's, with the K-Jetronic fuel system, I believe. I would be surprised to find this engine on a 1993 model, but the 460 model is not marketed to US, so I'm not the most informed. The B20F is 2.0 liter.

Hey Pat,

I think that this is actually a Renault engine put into a car that looks like a small 850 which is possibly made in Holland... but I am feeling pretty confident, it looks like a Volvo and rides like a Volvo. Heck, it SAYS it's a Volvo!

:) Jon

"Pat Quadlander" skrev i meddelandet news:WPidnb44Q6 snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...

It does, but otherwise its a horrible hatchback / saloon with none of the traditional Volvo qualitys.

At least Volvo got the engine right eventually just before production stopped after 3 attempts!! (dreadful Renault thing)

Tim..

I don't think the B20F is a Renault engine - I have a feeling Volvo mad it, which is why it's supposed to be the best engine to have in the 400 series. I drove a 480 once with one in, and wow!

I'm afraid that I can't be of any use with the original problem though, but I doubt they are the same - certainly the smaller petrol engines (1.6, 1.7 and 1.7 turbo) were all Renault designed. What the 1.8 is I have no idea, sorry.

I like the 440's - I've had three in 9 years (the first two met very sticky ends). I have had the 1.6 twice and the 1.8 briefly. They aren't as well screwed together as the 240's were, but by no means bad cars. Better than the 340's at any rate, even if they are all FWD. My current one does 20,000 a year and hasn't gone wrong since I've had it (3 years). The most serious problem I've had with any of them (aside from crashing them) is a failed starter motor once.

David

From what i rember the B18U is esenctaly the same block as the 1.7 units however it has a slighley longer stroke i think and the engion is fed by single point injection system witch actls like a computer controled carb. Not as powerfull as the 1.7i's however it does return econimy figures close to the TD 440. From owning a 440Li with the B18U powering it i can se that the B20F ot the B18FT engions producing more power willl be a better drive alough the B18U will still crous up and down the motorway at a fair speed.

Hope this is of use.

Adrian. Green 84 850

B20F is still a Renault engine.

Cheers, Peter.

Both the B20F and B18S are the 3rd time lucky re-re-volvo-ised-un-renault-ed units.

Tim..

Hi Tim,

Re:

Actually, a 460 with the 2 liter is a pretty decent car. Great suspension, good acceleration, and a good "common sense" feeling about the thing. I think they are well worth the money - which isn't much!

David,

Re:

Yeah, the car has some good acceleration in the lower rpms, it's a lot quicker than it looks. It is a little frustrating as it is difficult finding information about this particular engine - online and off!

Volvo is just about as Swedish as fermented fish and even though I live there, I am gonna have to get a manual from the UK (!).

Yep, 240's are in a different league. I always grin when I look under the hood of a 240 - what you see is what you get. Perfect for people like me who aren't at home with my arms elbow deep in engine guts. Huge difference from say a '00 Saab 2-3: all the plastic and stuff makes it seem like you have to remove the engine to even check the oil! The 460 seems pretty easy to work on... as long as somebody holds my hand - like a Haynes manual.

Take care, Jon

Hi Adrian,

Re:

It is - I doubt if I'll be messing around with the injection system on this engine, which is multi-point. If the B20 is essentially the same thing as a B18 plus two cc's and a different injection, the B18 manual will be good enough!

Have it good, Jon

Hi Tim,

Re:

re-re-volvo-ised-un-renault-ed

That sounds good to me!

Jon

Having said that some 2litre units had oil control problems- Volvo spent rather large amounts of money on warranty work replacing oil burners with short motors with redesigned pistons and oil control rings in the middle

For some reason some engines were completely trouble free, whilst others suddenly started burning lots of oil.

Tim..

Hi Tim, Re:

Thanks for all the info. When she bought it, I noticed it was really low on oil. This could be an oil burner...

Thanks again, Jon

If it is, you'll be driving about with a blue cloud behind you- its quite obvious!

Tim..