Author Topic: Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?  (Read 25918 times)

June 19, 2008, 03:20:14 pm

lord_verminaard

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« on: June 19, 2008, 03:20:14 pm »
I see these engines getting bashed all over the internet, about how they are junk, not reliable, etc... when I know good and well that it's a 6-cylinder VW engine.

What really is the problem with them?  I've heard of oiling issues, cylinder head cracking, cooling issues, etc...  Which are true and not true?  Are there any solutions to these problems?

I'm asking because I am very close to closing the deal on a Volvo for another project car.  I could go the normal route and build a nice fast B23FT and have a very fun car, or I could go the other way and build up a D24T.  Obviously I would rather have a Diesel but if it will be more trouble than it's worth then I'll go the other way with it.  Thanks!

Brendan


81 Scirocco 'S -->Soon to be m-TDI
93 Corrado SLC VR6
'86 Golf N/A Diesel  -->Wife's car
1990 Audi CQ
05 New Beetle PD TDI


"I am a man, I can change... if I have to.... I guess....."

-Red Green

Reply #1June 19, 2008, 03:43:32 pm

the caveman

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2008, 03:43:32 pm »
I don't own one but i have been servicing one for the last 1 1/2 years. It's a 86 760 volvo which was converted to run on WVO 3 years ago. HE has never had a breakdown until recently. 2 years ago he had all or most of the valves changed, and all new gaskets [he was told]. The thing has been covered in oil since i started working on it so i don't think they did everything. 6  injectors replaced last fall. about 5 weeks ago he called me up because it wouldn't start. He figured it was the used starter he had just put on the week before. Brought it into the shop, saw the timing belt had jumped. Remove the front covers and realized that the crank pulley was loose. Crank still okay, camshaft broken IN 5 PEICES !! Haven't pulled the head but all the valve heads are all at exactly the same height so i'm hopeing they are all okay. Couldn't replace the front crank seal so i figured i would just remove the flange to push it out from behind. WRONG!
Manual says to remove motor because the front flange is also the oil pump. Lifted the motor enough to drop the pan and remove flange. Am now reinstalling everything. All to say that it seems to be robust because this customer does very minimal maintainence and when running is smooth with fair amount of power [still slow, it's an automatic]. Pain to time the pump as it's the rear ,driven by it's own belt and the bolts for the IP are not super easy to get to. I have heard that they don't like short trips, the oil needs to get real hot to lube everything properly, i have convinced him to use synthetic as a result.
" I'm a vegetarian,not because i love animals, it's because i hate plants"
1970 Type 3 fastback
1972 Renault 12
1971 Super Beetle 140 HP 159 ft lbs
1987 Fox
1989 TD Jetta
1990 Fox
1989 Fox
1998 TDI Jetta
1990 T3 German MIL Transporter 1.9 na Giles super pump
1997 Jetta GLX TDI

Reply #2June 19, 2008, 04:36:04 pm

Northern RD

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Re: Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2008, 04:36:04 pm »
Quote from: "lord_verminaard"
I see these engines getting bashed all over the internet, about how they are junk, not reliable, etc... when I know good and well that it's a 6-cylinder VW engine.

What really is the problem with them?  I've heard of oiling issues, cylinder head cracking, cooling issues, etc...  Which are true and not true?  Are there any solutions to these problems?

I'm asking because I am very close to closing the deal on a Volvo for another project car.  I could go the normal route and build a nice fast B23FT and have a very fun car, or I could go the other way and build up a D24T.  Obviously I would rather have a Diesel but if it will be more trouble than it's worth then I'll go the other way with it.  Thanks!

Brendan



http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/677341/740/760/780/740_turbo_diesel_one_loooong.html

 :wink:

Reply #3June 21, 2008, 12:02:31 pm

the caveman

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2008, 12:02:31 pm »
Have now determined that the cam broke because the 4 cam bearing caps
were all gouged and showed signs of poor oil ciculation and or not enough oil changes . Lightly sanded all the bearing surfaces enough to remove the ridges, checked clearences and installed a good used cam. Should see today how she runs. Poor customer, the car's been here for 5 weeks, just didn't have time until now.
" I'm a vegetarian,not because i love animals, it's because i hate plants"
1970 Type 3 fastback
1972 Renault 12
1971 Super Beetle 140 HP 159 ft lbs
1987 Fox
1989 TD Jetta
1990 Fox
1989 Fox
1998 TDI Jetta
1990 T3 German MIL Transporter 1.9 na Giles super pump
1997 Jetta GLX TDI

Reply #4June 21, 2008, 12:02:48 pm

the caveman

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2008, 12:02:48 pm »
Have now determined that the cam broke because the 4 cam bearing caps
were all gouged and showed signs of poor oil ciculation and or not enough oil changes . Lightly sanded all the bearing surfaces enough to remove the ridges, checked clearences and installed a good used cam. Should see today how she runs. Poor customer, the car's been here for 5 weeks, just didn't have time until now.
" I'm a vegetarian,not because i love animals, it's because i hate plants"
1970 Type 3 fastback
1972 Renault 12
1971 Super Beetle 140 HP 159 ft lbs
1987 Fox
1989 TD Jetta
1990 Fox
1989 Fox
1998 TDI Jetta
1990 T3 German MIL Transporter 1.9 na Giles super pump
1997 Jetta GLX TDI

Reply #5June 23, 2008, 10:22:31 am

lord_verminaard

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2008, 10:22:31 am »
Poor oil circulation.  Hmm.  Is that a design flaw or improper maintenance?  I read of people using thinner weight synthetic oil to help.  I've also even seen a few mentions of drilling/tapping additional oil return/feed ports in various places but have not seen any details/pictures of such an operation.

Of course, this would all be moot if I don't get the car or if I can't find a d24t for cheap.

Brendan
81 Scirocco 'S -->Soon to be m-TDI
93 Corrado SLC VR6
'86 Golf N/A Diesel  -->Wife's car
1990 Audi CQ
05 New Beetle PD TDI


"I am a man, I can change... if I have to.... I guess....."

-Red Green

Reply #6June 30, 2008, 11:04:14 pm

Eli

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2008, 11:04:14 pm »
This is a quote from Tom Bryant, arguably the most knowledgeable person in the US when it comes to D24/t's

Quote
As for the disparaging remarks about the engine itself, well, they're mostly just plain, demonstrably, wrong. These engines definitely do not have "lubrication issues" for example. They are intolerant of dino oil, especially if not changed frequently, and they are intolerant of overheating, as well as neglect or misuse. But when properly cared for, they will last indefinitely. Problem is, most people just don't know how to properly care for them. Couple that with some sloppy design specs and tolerances and many having been improperly assembled, right from the factory, and you have a recipe for trouble.


Here is the thread it came from.
http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=102101
It's rather in depth seeing as it's a 14 page thread. It starts off with people trash talking the engine, and then a lot of stuff really gets hashed out. Theres really a lot of information in there though, if your interested.

I myself really like this engine, and am glad more and more people are starting to realize it's worthwhile, maybe even great.

-Eli
How fast?
As fast as it takes.

Reply #7July 22, 2008, 07:11:50 pm

bevboyy

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2008, 07:11:50 pm »
Cylinder #6 never quite got enough oil and caused HG issues. That is what I have seen on at least 3 of them in my past.

For the amount of HP that engine produced, it would be better to bolt in a 1.6 or 1.9 TD as they are much more plentiful and bolt up to the trans.

Better weight distribution, more power. 8)
1987 Jetta Mk2 - daily driver, MZ 1.8 goodness. TJ auto trans..

Gone but not forgotten:
1985 Mercedes 300d Turbo
1987 Olds Delta 88 Royal Brougham
1992 Mercedes 190e 2.3
1984 Mercedes 190e
1983 Quantum TD
1992 Jetta TD
1983 BMW 533i
1982 BMW 320iS
1979 Mercedes 300D (non turbo)
1977 BMW

Reply #8July 28, 2008, 10:27:13 am

lord_verminaard

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2008, 10:27:13 am »
I'm pretty sure the bellhousing is Volvo-specific, sharing the same mounting pattern as the Volvo gassers.

Brendan
81 Scirocco 'S -->Soon to be m-TDI
93 Corrado SLC VR6
'86 Golf N/A Diesel  -->Wife's car
1990 Audi CQ
05 New Beetle PD TDI


"I am a man, I can change... if I have to.... I guess....."

-Red Green

Reply #9August 01, 2008, 06:29:13 pm

jbg

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2008, 06:29:13 pm »
Quote from: "lord_verminaard"
I'm pretty sure the bellhousing is Volvo-specific, sharing the same mounting pattern as the Volvo gassers.

Brendan


The bellhousing pattern is Audi, same as the 5-cylinder gas and diesel engines.
1985 Volvo 740GLE Turbo Diesel
2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI

Reply #10August 17, 2008, 12:00:45 am

ranger station

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24D
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2008, 12:00:45 am »
I HAVE A 24D ON WHICH I INSTALED A TURBO AND INTERCOOLER.
  I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 2 SUMMERS AND IT WORKS VERY WELL SO FAR.
  IT HAS THE SAME PISTONS, RINGS, RODS, BEARINGS, INJECTORS, GLOW PLUGS AS A 1.6 VW.
  MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CYLINDERS ARE SOFTER MATERIAL AND WEAR OUT AFTER ABOUT 300000 KM.
  IT WILL TAKE ME A WHILE TO PUT THAT MANY KM ON THIS TRUCK SO I AM NOT TO WORRIED ABOUT IT.
  CHECK IT OUT AT www.freewebs.com/rangenstation CLICK ON PHOTO GALLERY
HAPPY DIESELING
DAVE

Reply #11August 17, 2008, 06:21:46 am

gigaz2

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2008, 06:21:46 am »
Quote from: "jbg"
Quote from: "lord_verminaard"
I'm pretty sure the bellhousing is Volvo-specific, sharing the same mounting pattern as the Volvo gassers.

Brendan


The bellhousing pattern is Audi, same as the 5-cylinder gas and diesel engines.


actually Audi started making they're bellhousings with two mounting patterns, for 4 cyl and 5cyl engines, I guess Volvo did the same, or did it use a different bellhousing for each type of engine?
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Reply #12September 02, 2008, 07:41:45 pm

madmedix

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Volvo D24(T): What exactly is the problem with them?
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2008, 07:41:45 pm »
As the past owner (RIP 2 years ago) of an '88 740 Turbo Wagon; She was smooooth and lovely....and very thirsty....and no matter what route you take, be wary of the O/D on the manual. If it does go funky, check the wires under the shifter-mounted switch first - tends to ground out and keep the solenoid from engaging the OD. And if you have to service the OE Nivomat rear shock system...switch it out. The cost savings will keep your beer fridge full for a very long time.

Andy
'90 TD Jetta