245l no spark

Ben33

Hi. New to Volvos but always wanted an early wagon, finally picked this up not running. Found it has no spark, leads dizzy and rotor are all good, was wondering if there was any common issues I should be looking out for. Unfortunately I have not had much time on the car due to being ill. Eventually it will get a chev but for the meantime just want it to start. Thanks for any help. Image description

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ramrod

Check the hall effect sensor under the distributor and it’s wiring

What year is the car?

Ben33

I was told a 78 but not sure

Pietro

I have fixed many 240's .Including a 245L . They are points if I'm correct , gap has to be right . Basically the points ground the coil ,as simple as the 122 and 140 . So first you have to check coil - i assume you can use a multimeter, if not its quick to learn and will save you heaps . If you dont get a auto bulb and holder and connect it instead of the coil . If it flashes the system is functioning sort of . If not you have to trace from the fuse block-these corrode and will drive you crazy .MOST IMPORTANT I fixed a car that was working but the owner had removed the spark leads. The distributor rotor has to be pointing at approx 5 o'clock , not 7 o'clock as in all later models -this will drive you crazy if it's wrong . It is also possible that the rotor button is burny out-its resistance is 5000 ohms approx , if you suspect it's toast you can get aluminium foil on it with tape- I did this when I was out bush with no reception. Verify your timing belt isnt broken ! These engines are non interference -no harm will be done . The volvo 240 engine is the easiest timing belt change engine I have ever done. Finally the leads are approx 5000 ohms resistance . Please note to never leave engine stalled with key on run-it will burn the points and the coil . If the spark plugs are running rich or fouled bad-no spark.Best of luck ,one of the easiest engine systems -spark system is not dependent on fuel .On old car clean your grounds with wd40 at least.

Pietro

oh forgot to mention spark sequence from 5 o'clock rotor at tdc is 1-3-4-2, so spark plug one is at 5'oclock facing left headlight .

jamesinc

Pietro at TDC #1 firing the rotor points diagonally forwards and toward the driver's side headlight (which is the right headlight rather than left).

Volvo redblock distributor rotation spark diagram

It is the same orientation for all the 8V OHC redblocks (well, the ones with block-mounted distributors), including the B21A on this 245. If your distributor was pointing at the 5-o'clock position when at TDC #1 firing, it means someone has clocked the distributor incorrectly, in which case you just undo the adjusting bolt, lift it up, rotate it and set it back down. It will rotate about 1/8 turn as it engages with the aux shaft drive gear which you need to account for when clocking it.

Ben33

Thanks mate it is points. I suspect coil but good to know about the corroded wire, will let you know

Thanks

ramrod

I didn’t think it would be a points system but there you go.

What do they look like and what is the gap?

Pietro

Thank you .The last 245l I worked on for a guy, he was painting the engine bay so removed the leads . When we put them back It would not start ! . So I checked the rotor position at Tdc with pulley mark , the distributor rotor was facing 6 oclock forward ! next i removed timing cover and found that the marks were one tooth off .The owner had fitted the wrong timing belt and tensioner . Fitted correct belt and tensioner . removed and fitted distributor as per your diagram . Same problem . Then i noted that bosch distributors have a line marked on distributor for tdc , going against my judgement , it pointed to where 2 usually is ! , took out distributor and put one lead where two goes and it fired up very fast ! I know this dosn't make sense but it has worked since .Important-the distributor presented has two vac ports on it and it is carby. There is no reason why it should not have worked as per your diagram but it didn't -the distributor fires in sequence - very strange. Also worth noting is the condenser , it stops the points burning by stopping arcs, if it gets leaky this can lower spark voltage .