242 / 244 / 245

1974-1993 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

All 242 / 244 / 245 problems All workshop problems

Critical Brakes

Soft or spongy brake pedal

Symptoms

The brake pedal feels soft, travels too far before the car slows, or sinks slowly to the floor when held.

Cause

Air in the brake lines (from a pad change or line work), worn master cylinder seals, or degraded brake fluid. The 240's brake system is straightforward but relies on the master cylinder and booster being healthy. Old brake fluid absorbs moisture, which lowers the boiling point and causes a spongy pedal, especially after hard use.

Fix

Start with a full brake fluid flush (DOT 4, bleed all four corners starting from the rear).

If the pedal is still soft, check for leaks at the master cylinder, wheel cylinders (drum brake cars), or caliper bleed nipples.

A sinking pedal with no visible leaks points to a failed master cylinder.

Replace it, about $80-120 for a quality unit (ATE or TRW).

Check the brake booster vacuum hose for cracks while you're at it.

Cost mentioned in fix

$80-120 for a

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Other known issues

Common Brakes

Seized rear brake calipers

One or both rear brakes drag, causing uneven pad wear, heat buildup, and a pull to one side under braking. You might notice a burning smell after driving, or the rear wheels are noticeably hotter than the fronts.

Common Brakes

Warped front brake rotors

Pulsating brake pedal, vibration through the steering wheel under braking, uneven pad deposits visible as dark patches on the rotor surface.

Minor Engine

Oil leaks from valve cover, front crank seal, and rear main seal

Seepage or drips from the valve cover gasket, front timing cover, or rear of the engine. Oil may pool on top of the gearbox bell housing or drip onto the subframe. You'll smell burning oil if it hits the exhaust.

Critical Engine

Clogged PCV system (flame trap, oil separator box)

Oil leaks from multiple places, rough idle, high oil consumption, smoke from the engine bay. Sometimes the oil filler cap pops off under pressure.

Common Engine

Piston ring wear and oil consumption (LH 2.4 engines, 2010-2018 T5/T6)

Engine burns oil between changes, blue smoke on startup or acceleration. Spark plugs may foul. Not specific to the 240, but worth noting for anyone considering newer Volvos.

Critical Engine

Timing belt and water pump failure

Belt snaps, engine stops immediately. If it's an interference engine (all B21/B23 are), valves hit pistons. Game over. Water pump failure causes overheating, coolant loss.

All 242 / 244 / 245 problems