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First start blues

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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ignatz
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Re: First start blues

Post by ignatz »

Maybe the fuel system is draining back the other way....to the fuel tank. I think theres a check valve in the fuel pump that holds pressure in the system. I'm one of these nuts that adds 3 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil to every 10 gallons of gas in my cars thinking it lubricates and cleans the fuel system and top end. I buy the MMO by the gallon jug!
Chevron Techron additive would be a more aggressive cleaner to clean injectors...if the injectors are the problem. I'd try Techron first, for two tank fulls.
2002 V70 2.4
2005 S60 2.5t awd
2006 S60 t5 stick shift

jblackburn
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Post by jblackburn »

Yes, it could.

It's normal for the fuel pressure to bleed off as the car sits. Within 3-4 hours, you will have very little pressure at the fuel rail.

Carefully pull out the fuel rail with the injectors, and put each one into a glass jar. Crank the engine over a few times, and then let it sit & watch to see if any one of them is leaking.

Then again, if the ETS is having problems, it could also be a root of it.
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier


A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

mercuic: Long live the tractor motor!

jblackburn
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Post by jblackburn »

Yes; I forgot you have a '99, it is probably easier to do with the 98 where you have some flexibility with the design of the fuel line.

But, you got creative, and yes, that does sound like a reasonable test of the system.

Which puts me (and you) back to guessing too. The ETM, if failing, may be having trouble controlling the idle from a cold start.

There are also some simple things to check...Does it burn oil? Do any of your coil packs have cracks in them? Is the EVAP system still functioning properly?
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier


A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

mercuic: Long live the tractor motor!

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phils94850
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Post by phils94850 »

dm

Are you losing coolant ? This time of year your gonna get some "condensation" vapor when the engine is cold thats normal. If you know the thermostat is bad then usually it trashes the CTS sensor which can cause poor starting and idle problems. I would replace the thermo and CTS sensor at the same time and go from there.

I had a hard start problem with a prior turbo 850 i had and if your fuel pressure is dropping then you have a problem in that area. On my car i removed the fuel pump assy. and found the rubber hose that goes from the electric pump to the fuel pump assy. had came loose and it would lose pressure after sitting. Yes there is a check valve in the fuel pump assy thats suppose to hold pressure in the system so thats a couple things to check.

As far as a HG leak, have you removed the spark plugs and inspected them ? Usually a sign of coolant leak on the plugs will leave a "white" looking soot on the plug. I would do the repairs you know needed done and check the plugs before tackling the HG repair.
1996 Platinum Edition

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ignatz
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Post by ignatz »

I had a similar start up issue with a Ford Escort, and #3 spark plug. Oil analysis showed traces of antifreeze were in my oil sample...,but so far not enough to damage or wear the engine. Mine was a leaky intake gasket dripping antifreeze into #3 cylinder after it was shut off.
If your burning antifreeze, it will show up in the oil sample. The lab will need the brand of antifreeze to help confirm a problem....Blackstone labs is around $30 a test...
2002 V70 2.4
2005 S60 2.5t awd
2006 S60 t5 stick shift

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