Volvo engine codes explained

[TheJoyOfSix]

<!--StartFragment -->Prefix
B= petrol engine
D= diesel

Numbers
Two numbers
cyl capacity (eg 21 = 2.1l) early block

Three numbers
1st two= cyl capacity
Third number
0= low friction block
4= low friction block with 4 valves per cyl

Four numbers
1st= No of cyls
Next two are capacity
Last= No of Valves per cyl

Suffix 1st letter
A= sidedraught carb
B= twin carb (but not on B30's)
E= injection
F= injection with Lambda and catalyser
G= injection with Lambda and no cat
K= downdraught carb
T= Turbo (diesel only)

Suffix 2nd letter(s)
ic= intercooler (diesels only)
T= Turbo
K= Light pressure turbo (K= Komfort)

Hence;
a D24Tic is a 2.4l intercooled turbo diesel
a B230FK is a low friction 2.3l LPT
a B21A is a 2.1l w/ single sidedraught carb
a B5234FT is a 5cyl 2.3l 20v catalysed turbo


Any I have missed?

[940T_Drifter]

Nice, how about pics of the engines to know what they look like :)

[Morley]

Whiteblock engine codes are a headache.... :-P


What about the 3 digit code on the timing belt cover?

940 = B21A
888 = B23A

Very useful when on the junkyard!

[Dr. Volvo]

Great info!!
just want to add some for the old pushrod engines

Two numbers
Even number = Old engine (Pushrods)
Odd number = New engine (OHC)

B18
Suffix 1st letter
A= sidedraught/downdraught carb
B= twin sidedraught carb
D= sidedraught carb (low compression)

B20
Suffix 1st letter
A= sidedraught carb
B= twin sidedraught carb
D= twin sidedraught carb (low compression)
E= injection (Electronic)
F= injection (Electronic/CI) (low compression 'emission' engine for USA)

B30
Suffix 1st letter
A= twin sidedraught carb
E= injection (Electronic)
F= injection (Electronic) (low compression 'emission' engine for USA)

[Morley]

Whiteblock engine codes are a headache.... :-P


What about the 3 digit code on the timing belt cover?

940 = B21A
888 = B23A

Very useful when on the junkyard!

Bump! What are these numbers for??

[andrew_d]

Suffix 1st letter

E= injection
F= injection with Lambda and catalyser
G= injection with Lambda and no cat


This is bit more complicated, e.g.

B230E mechanical injection no Lambda no cat.
B204E electronic injection with Lambda but no cat.
B230G electronic injection no Lambda no cat.

[TheJoyOfSix]

This is bit more complicated, e.g.

B230E mechanical injection no Lambda no cat.
B204E electronic injection with Lambda but no cat.
B230G electronic injection no Lambda no cat.

Very true, unfortunately Volvo did not differentiate between types of injection in their codes.

[Unregistered]

What is the mean of these numbers in a M47 gearbox (940 GLE): 1023808 H8; 1028608 P15; 1623608 P15?. Thanks.

[volvo740best]

This is bit more complicated, e.g.

B230E mechanical injection no Lambda no cat.
B204E electronic injection with Lambda but no cat.
B230G electronic injection no Lambda no cat.

My B204E not have lambda...

Bruno.

[JW240]

I read somewhere that there was a B230R, they would have very thick cylinder walls... Another volvo mystery..

[Dr. Volvo]

This is bit more complicated, e.g.

B230E mechanical injection no Lambda no cat.
B204E electronic injection with Lambda but no cat.
B230G electronic injection no Lambda no cat.

the G engines have lambda, but no cat.

I read somewhere that there was a B230R, they would have very thick cylinder walls... Another volvo mystery..


It's not that a big mystery. They was sold as clean blocks from Volvo (They possible still have some left). They where intened for use in rally/rallycross. They can also safely be bored out to over 100mm.

[andrew_d]

My B204E not have lambda...

Bruno.

Probably you are right. I checked VADIS and it doesn't seem to list it for this engine. But I clearly remember reading somewhere that B204E was equipped with a lead-resistant oxy sensor. Maybe it was a mistake.

[andrew_d]

the G engines have lambda, but no cat.


Oh believe me they don't. Checked this Saturday when changing oil.

[Dr. Volvo]

I just checked this out and it turns out that only the '90 G engines had Lambda sond.


My B204E not have lambda...

Bruno.


Probably you are right. I checked VADIS and it doesn't seem to list it for this engine. But I clearly remember reading somewhere that B204E was equipped with a lead-resistant oxy sensor. Maybe it was a mistake.

The 204E engine never had a lambda, but the '90 G-engines use a leadresistant lambdasond

[andrew_d]

I just checked this out and it turns out that only the '90 G engines had Lambda sond.



The 204E engine never had a lambda, but the '90 G-engines use a leadresistant lambdasond

I thought G's didn't show up until 1992 as a replacement for E's.

[xtonyx]

thanks!