1981 Volvo Dl problems
The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 until 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.
The series overlapped production of the Volvo 700 Series (1982 to 1992). As the 240 Series remained popular, only the 260 Series was displaced by the 700 Series, which Volvo marketed alongside the 240 for another decade. The 700 was replaced by the 900 Series in 1992, a year before the 240 was discontinued. Production of the 240 ended on 14 May 1993, after nearly 20 years, with the basic platform and architecture lasting 27 years, if the production run of the original 140 Series is aggregated.
History
The Volvo 240 and 260 series were introduced in the autumn of 1974, and was initially available as six variations of the 240 Series (242L, 242DL, 244DL, 244GL, 245L and 245DL) and two variations of the 260 Series (264DL and 264GL). The 240 Series was available as a sedan (with two or four doors) or a station wagon, however, the 260 Series was available as a coupé (262C Bertone), two-door sedan, four-door sedan, or station wagon. The 200 looked much like the earlier 140 and 164, they shared the same basic body shell and were largely identical from the cowl rearward. However, the 200 incorporated many of the features and design elements tried in the Volvo VESC ESV in 1972, which was a prototype experiment in car safety. The overall safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a crash was greatly improved with very large front and rear end crumple zones. Another main change was the new engines offered, which were of an overhead cam design based on the earlier B20. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six.
The 200 Series had MacPherson strut-type front suspension, which increased room around the engine bay, while the rear suspension was a modified version of that fitted to the 140 Series. The steering was greatly improved with the introduction of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL, and there were some modifications made to the braking system (in particular the master cylinder).
The front end of the car was also completely restyled with a "shovel nose" which closely resembled that of the VESC prototype vehicle – that being the most obvious change which made the 200 Series distinguishable from the earlier 140 and 160 Series. Other than all the changes mentioned above, the 200 Series was almost identical to the 140 and 160 Series from the bulkhead to the very rear end. In 1978, a facelift meant a redesigned rear end for sedans, with wraparound taillights and a trunk opening with a lower lip. The dashboard was derived from the safety fascia introduced for the 1973 model year 100 Series - the main change for the 200 Series was the adoption of slatted "egg crate" style air vents in place of the eyeball style vents used in the 140/160 and the square clock. All models were available with a choice of four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. Overdrive was also optional on the manual 244GL, while a five-speed manual gearbox was optional on the 264GL and 265GL.
In the autumn of 1975 (for the 1976 model year in America), the 265 DL estate became available alongside the existing range, and this was the first production Volvo estate to be powered by a six-cylinder engine. The choice of gearboxes was also improved, with overdrive now available as an option in all manual models except the base-model 242L and 245L. As before, a three-speed automatic was optional in every model. The B21A engine gained three horsepower; a new steering wheel and gearknob were also introduced.
At the 1976 Paris Motor Show Bertone first showed the stretched 264 TE, a seven-seat limousine on a 3,430 mm (135.0 in) wheelbase, although it had entered production earlier. The raw bodies were sent from Sweden to Grugliasco for lengthening, reinforcing, and finishing. Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden used one, as did much of East Germany's political leadership.
For 1977 the B19A engine with 90 PS (66 kW) replaced the B20A in most markets, although the old pushrod type soldiered on for another two years in some places. This is also the year that the sportier 242 GT arrived.
In 1978 the grille was altered, now with a chrome surround. Rear view mirrors were now black, while the front seats were changed as were the emblems, while interval wipers were introduced. 1978 models were also the first 240s to receive a new paint formula, to help solve the severe rust problems in previous model years.
The 1979 model year brought a full facelift front and rear, the most obvious change being the adoption of flush fitting square headlamps on the DL or rectangular headlamps on the GL, GLE in place of the recessed circular units. The sedans received new wraparound rear lamp clusters and a restyled leading edge to the trunk lid, while the rear of the wagons remained unchanged. The GLE was added while the L was cancelled, and the six-cylinder diesel arrived late in the year. For 1980, the sporty GLT arrived, replacing the GT. For 1981 there was yet another new grille, while the station wagons received new, wraparound taillights. The B21A gained some four horsepower, now 106 PS (78 kW), while the carburetted B23A with 112 PS (82 kW) was introduced in some markets. The Turbo arrived, while six-cylinder models now had a more powerful 2.8-liter engine. 1981 also saw the dashboard altered significantly, which a much larger binnacle in order to bring the radio and clock within the driver's line of sight. The instrument pod itself, which had been unaltered since the 1973 model year 100 Series, was also redesigned.
Incremental improvements were made almost every year of the production run. One of the major improvements was the introduction of the oxygen sensor in North America in late 1976 (1977 models), which Volvo called Lambda Sond and developed in conjunction with Bosch. It added a feedback loop to the Jetronic fuel injection system already in use, which allowed fine-tuning of the air and fuel mixture and therefore produced superior emissions, drivability and fuel economy.
For the 1983 model year, Volvo dropped the DL and GLE labels, selling the cars simply as 240s. In the domestic Swedish market, the 240 could be had with a 2.1 or 2.3-liter engine (more options were available in export), but the bigger engine always came coupled with a five-speed transmission and tinted windows. The 1983s also received wider side trim and all models had the larger taillights introduced on the previous year's GLT model. A B23E-engined GLE variant was also added (not available with two doors). Buyers protested against the lack of grades and they returned for 1984. A new manual gearbox also arrived for 1984, while a four-speed automatic option was available in the GL. The GLT and Turbo versions received a taller grille.
While Volvo had been planning to discontinue the 200-series since the early 1980s, the design kept selling well and Volvo provided steady updates. In late 1991, for the 1992 model year, it received 160 detail improvements including changes to the heater controls, heated rear view mirrors, and revised front seats. For the final, 1993 model year, air conditioning units were upgraded to use R-134a rather than the ozone-depleting R-12 (Freon).
About one-third of all 240s sold were station wagons, which featured very large cargo space of 41 cubic feet (1.2 m3). They could be outfitted with a rear-facing foldable jumpseat in the passenger area, making the wagon a seven-passenger vehicle. The jumpseat came with three-point seat belts, and wagons were designed to have a reinforced floor section, protecting the occupants of the jumpseat in the event of a rear-end collision.
A 1993 Volvo 240DL was driven by IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, who stopped driving it when he was told the car was too dangerous due to outdated safety design two decades later.
The last 200 produced was a blue station wagon built to the Italian specification and named the "Polar Italia", currently displayed at the Volvo World Museum. It was manufactured the 14th May 1993.
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Common 1981 Volvo Dl problems
Based on the information provided in the sources, here are common problems with the Volvo 240 DL 1981 based on complaints from owners:
- Transmission Issues: Owners of the Volvo 240 DL may experience problems with the automatic transmission shifting roughly or slipping between gears, especially in higher mileage models. Regular maintenance and fluid changes are recommended to prevent these issues. If problems persist, a complete transmission rebuild may be necessary.
- Suspension System Problems: The front suspension of the Volvo 240 DL can develop issues with control arms and ball joints, leading to poor handling and uneven tire wear. Regular inspections and replacement of worn components are essential to prevent these issues and ensure safe driving.
- Electrical System Concerns: The car's alternator can fail, causing the battery to lose charge and resulting in a no-start condition. Regular inspections and replacement of damaged components are crucial to prevent electrical issues. Additionally, issues with the fuel system, such as fuel pump failures and fuel line leaks, can lead to engine starting and performance issues, decreased fuel efficiency, and potential fire hazards.
- Hot Start Problem: Some owners have reported a hot start problem with the 1981 Volvo 240, where the car starts when cold but struggles to stay running when the engine is hot. This issue may require further diagnosis to identify the root cause, which could be related to fuel delivery, ignition, or other engine components.
- Cosmetic Concerns: While not affecting the car's performance, cosmetic issues like loose turn signal housings or a hard-to-pull hood release cable have been noted by owners. These can be addressed with minor repairs or adjustments.
By addressing these common problems with the Volvo 240 DL 1981 through regular maintenance, inspections, and timely repairs, owners can ensure the longevity and reliability of their vehicles.
What is the difference between Volvo DL and GL?
DL (De Luxe) indicates the base model with modest interiors and accessories where GL (Gran Luxe) indicates the higher level of trim. In general, the differences between DL and GL are as follows. DLs usually have vinyl interior, roll-up windows, manual adjust mirrors, steel wheels and black trim.
What year is a Volvo 240 DL?
The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 until 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.
What year is the Volvo 244 DL?
In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series. These new models had been developed from the 140 series and were very similar to their predecessors, and with influences from the VESC safety concept car.
What does D mean in Volvo?
diesel
In 2010 Volvo changed their engine branding nomenclature so that it is independent of engine size and number of cylinders. The letter "D" designates diesel and "T" petrol. Letters are followed by a number that dictate the level of power.
What does DL mean on a Volvo?
DL (De Luxe) - 1975 to 1993: The DL is the base model and probably the most common. They generally have cloth interiors, steel wheels with chrome hubcaps, and no power options. Available on a 242, 244, or 245. GL/GLE (Grand Luxe / Extra) - 1975 to 1993: The GL is the luxury model, and somewhat uncommon.
What is the difference between DL and GL in Volvo?
Volvo has used DL and GL to indicate the trim level of these models from 1974 to 1990 and then inconsistently from 1991 until the end of introduction in 1993. In 1993. DL (De Luxe) indicates the base model with modest interiors and accessories where GL (Gran Luxe) indicates the higher level of trim.
What year is a Volvo 240 DL?
The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 until 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.
What year is the Volvo 244 DL?
In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series. These new models had been developed from the 140 series and were very similar to their predecessors, and with influences from the VESC safety concept car.
1981 Volvo Dl car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo Dl problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Volvo Dl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Volvo Dl complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Volvo Dl.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-05
- VIN: YV1AX4555B1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. *AK
1981 Volvo Dl recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1981 Volvo Dl.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- Summary: DUE TO INSUFFICIENT GROUNDING OF THE INTERNAL IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR PARTS, THE IGNITION COULD MISFIRE. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY AND LONGEVITY OF THE DISTRIBUTOR COMPONENTS.
- Remedy: ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH MODIFIED IGNITION COMPONENTS. THIS INCLUDES A NEW DISTRIBUTOR HAVING IMPROVED GROUNDING. ALL VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A CAPACITOR TO REDUCE THE HIGH VOLTAGE PEAKS. THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Volvo Dl problems:
Common Issues With The Volvo 240 | Volvo Owners Forum
Dec 2, 2009 ... Common Issues With The Volvo 240 · 1. rust â€" its hard to replace parts when the hardware is fused together, holes in the floorboards, etc. · 2.
Top 10 Common Issues with Volvo 240 Models
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Question: how reliable is a 240? : r/Volvo240
May 19, 2022 ... The highest mileage car in the world has a volvo redblock engine. ... I'm on my fourth 240 since 1981. ... Are there any reliability concerns? 20 ...
240 wagon light problems- need dumbed down help! | Turbobricks ...
Dec 7, 2014 ... 240 wagon light problems- need dumbed down help! ... I know this is a common problem in these cars. ... It's a 1989 volvo 240 DL wagon. I thought I ...
Your definitive Volvo 240 buyer's guide - Hagerty Media
Jan 1, 2019 ... Other limited run trims included the Diesel (1981 ... Box it up. 1974 Volvo 245 DL wagon front 3/4 1974 Volvo 245 DL Volvo ... common problem areas ...
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