B230E engine — Volvo 2.3 (2.3L)
2.3L · 131-177 hp
Engine overview
Vehicles with this engine
Factory specifications
Values from the manufacturer documentation for this engine.
Engine (general)
| Engine code | B230E |
| Capacity | 2316 cc |
| Idle speed | 900 rpm |
| Inlet | 0.35 - 0.40 mm |
| Exhaust | 0.35 - 0.40 mm |
| Normal | 9 bar |
| Oil pressure | 2.5 - 6.0/2000 bar/rpm |
| Engine code | B 230 E |
| Idle speed | 775 ± 50 rpm |
| Inlet | 0.30 - 0.40 mm |
| Exhaust | 0.30 - 0.40 mm |
| Normal | 9.0 bar |
| Differential limit between cylinders | < 2.0 bar |
| Oil pressure | 1.0 / 900 2.5 / 2000 3.0 / 3000 <8.0 / >3000 bar/rpm |
Engine (petrol)
| Fuel system (make and type) | Bosch K-Jetronic |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Timing stroboscopic (before TDC) | 12/900 °/rpm |
| Ignition coil resistance, primary | 0.6 - 0.8 ohms |
| Ignition coil resistance, secondary | 6900 - 8500 ohms |
| Spark plugs (make and type) | (- 1987): Bosch WR6DC (1987 -): Bosch W6DC |
| Spark plug gap | 0.7 - 0.8 mm |
| Injection pressure/system pressure | 4.5 - 5.3 bar |
| CO exhaust gas | 0.5 -2.0 % |
| CO2 | 13 - 16 % |
| HC | 300 ppm |
| O2 | 0.5 - 2.0 % |
| Oil temperature during test | 70 °C |
| Fast-idle speed | 2400 - 2600 rpm |
| CO at fast-idle speed | < 0.3 % |
| Conditioning catalytic converter | 2 / 3000 min/rpm |
| Timing stroboscopic (before TDC) | 10/750 °/rpm |
| Start | 0/105 - 145 °/mmHg |
| End | 5/165 - 205 °/mmHg |
| Start | 0/450 - 600 °/rpm |
| End | 10/500 - 2100 °/rpm |
| Spark plugs (make and type) | Bosch WR6DC |
| Spark plug gap | 0.7 mm |
| CO exhaust gas | 0.5 - 1.5 % |
| Fuel system (make and type) | CI |
| Timing stroboscopic (before TDC) | 15 / 900 °/rpm |
Cooling system
| Cap pressure | 1.0 bar |
| Thermostat opens at | 87 - 102 °C |
| Cap pressure | 1.5 bar |
| Thermostat opens at | 87 - 97 92 - 102 °C |
Electrical
| Battery | 55 Ah |
| Alternator | 64 A |
| Battery | 70 Ah |
Capacities
| Engine sump, incl. filter | 3.9 l |
| Gearbox refill | 2.3/1.6 l |
| Differential | 1.6 l |
| Gearbox refill | 3.9 ZF: 2.0 l |
| Cooling system | 8.5 l |
| Engine sump, incl. filter | 3.85 l |
| Gearbox refill | M40: 0.8 M45: 0.8 M41: 1.6 M46: 2.3 M47 (- 1987): 1.3 M47 (1987 -): 1.6 l |
| Gearbox refill | AW70: 7.4 AW71: 7.4 BW55: 3.5 l |
| Cooling system | 9.5 l |
Torque settings
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 1 | 20 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 2 | 60 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 3 | 90 ° |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 1 | 100 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 2 | 45 ° |
| Wheel nuts | 85 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 25 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 1 | 60 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 2 | 110 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 3 | T = 80°C |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 4 | t = 30 min |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 5 | -90° ° |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 6 | 110 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 3 | +90° ° |
| Wheel nuts | 115 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 25 ± 5 Nm |
Workshop procedures for this engine
Step-by-step procedures from the workshop database.
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TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
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The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 22 Aug 2026.