P1800 / P1800ES

1961-1973 / Coupe / Shooting Brake / Sweden

All P1800 / P1800ES problems All workshop issues

Critical Engine

Valve adjustment neglect

Symptoms

Ticking or tapping noise from the top end. Loss of power. Hard starting.

Cause

The B18 and B20 use solid lifters that need adjustment every 10,000 km. Most owners ignore this. Valves tighten up over time, leading to poor sealing and burnt valves.

Fix

Set the valve clearances to spec (inlet 0.4mm, exhaust 0.4mm cold, or consult your manual for hot settings).

Takes an hour and costs nothing.

If valves are burnt, the head needs to come off.

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// More P1800 / P1800ES problems

Other known issues

Common Engine

Oil leaks from rear main seal

Oil weeps or pours from the back of the engine, usually visible around the bellhousing. Can soak the clutch on manual cars.

Common Engine

Piston ring wear and oil consumption (B18/B20)

Blue smoke on startup or under load. Engine uses a litre of oil every 500-1000 km. Exhaust tips go black and sooty.

Common Engine

Timing gear wear and rattle (B18)

Rattling or chattering noise from the front of the engine, especially on cold start or at idle. Sometimes a metallic ticking that doesn't go away when warm.

Critical Engine

Head gasket failure

Overheating, white smoke from the exhaust, coolant loss with no visible leak, mayonnaise in the oil filler cap.

Common Engine

Bosch D-Jetronic injection faults (B20E/B20F)

Poor starting, lumpy idle, hesitation, black smoke, random stalling. Sometimes won't start at all.

Common Cooling System

Radiator corrosion and leaks

Coolant leaks from the core or end tanks. Overheating. Brown sludge in the system.

View all 28 P1800 / P1800ES problems