850 Struggles to Start when Cold

Post by **Volvofan94** » 27 Jan 2013, 20:24

Hi Guys,

My Volvo has been having this issue for a while, but it hasn't been really bad until this past week.

Here's the problem...in the morning when I go to start the car, the engine struggles to start. I crank the engine for about 10 to 30 seconds. Sometimes it will sputter and attempt to start, then fail or it just cranks. It doesn't seem to matter if the engine has been sitting all night or it returns to cold during the day. I can eventually get it started by repeating the process two or three times. When it finally does start, the engine idles rough for about 30 seconds to a minute before smoothing out. Driving the car, things are normal, idle is great and it has plenty of power. Did some basic troubleshooting I found on the forums, but I'm stumped where to look next. I don't have a CEL either.

What I've tried so far:
1. Fuel Pump Relay - I removed the relay and jumped pins 15 and 87 and let it sit overnight. Tried to start the car in the morning. No change. I did come across Lee's fuel pump relay fix and I will give it a try.
2. Fuel Pump - Folded down the rear seat and I can hear the fuel pump spin up (key in POS II).
3. I had a spare Idle Air Controller in my garage so I swapped my original one out. No change.
4. I tried to run a little bit of Seafoam in a full tank of gas to help clean the fuel injectors (mine are noisy, by the way).

Could the Fuel Pressure Regulator on the rail be to blame?

Thank you for your suggestions!

Post by **combatkarl** » 27 Jan 2013, 20:50

I'm a newbie to my '97 850 GLT so take this for what its worth. I see you are in the midwest...how cold is it in the morning? I
am in MN and we've had below zero temps in the morning and mine didn't start. It would crank but kind of slowly. Replaced battery and that fixed one of my issues.

Karl
SEMN - 97 850 GLT 180,000+ miles

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Jan 2013, 20:53

The fuel pressure regulator normally isn't temperature sensitive but yank the vacuum line off of the regulator and look for evidence of raw fuel. From what you are describing it is running very rich on startup. Is there blackish smoke once it fires up?

...Lee

Post by **Volvofan94** » 27 Jan 2013, 21:54

Thank you for the quick replies!

I'm a newbie to my '97 850 GLT so take this for what its worth. I see you are in the midwest...how cold is it in the morning?

Welcome! It hasn't been too cold recently. This morning it was about 30ish degrees. Earlier this year it got down to 5 degrees with a strong wind. It was tough to start my car that night.

The fuel pressure regulator normally isn't temperature sensitive but yank the vacuum line off of the regulator and look for evidence of raw fuel. From what you are describing it is running very rich on startup. Is there blackish smoke once it fires up?

I haven't noticed black smoke from the tailpipe before...I'll try to start it again tomorrow and will update. The only smoke I've seen coming from the tailpipe after it starts is a white color, but it seems to go away once the engine warms up. It might be air temperature related, I think.

How much fuel is considered normal coming out of the Fuel Pressure Regulator? Started the car and let it run for a few minutes. Turned off the engine and checked the Fuel Pressure Regulator on the vacuum hose connection end. There was a small drop of fuel leaking out.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Jan 2013, 09:23

Any fuel in the FPR vacuum line is too much. There is a diaphragm between the fuel side and the vacuum side that essentially modulates the fuel pressure based on intake manifold vacuum. The barrier between the fuel side and the vacuum side should be absolute with no fuel getting past the diaphragm into the vacuum system.

...Lee

Post by **Volvofan94** » 28 Jan 2013, 20:31

Thanks Lee for the info on the FPR!

I started the car (from cold) and tried to look for blackish smoke out the tailpipe. Had my camera setup on the rear bumper to capture video of the car starting, but I didn't notice anything abnormal. Maybe it was too dark outside to notice anything.

I'll get a new Fuel Pressure Regulator ordered and will post back the result. Hopefully it solves the problem!

Post by **Volvofan94** » 17 Feb 2013, 21:04

Good news. Installed the new FPR this last week. The car starts great once again! Thank you everyone for your help!

Now onto figuring out a coolant leak I've been working on lately. Never seems to be a break in the action.

Post by **Volvofan94** » 25 Feb 2013, 21:07

Hey Everyone, I got some bad news...the problem is back again.

I'll try to swap out the battery for a new one. It's been a while since it was replaced last.

I noticed when I pulled the engine/trans awhile ago to replace my Rear Main Seal, there was this vacuum-like line going from the fuel tank to the engine next to the fuel supply and return lines. Looked like it runs along the subframe and connects somewhere around the transmission area (I'm sorry, but I can't remember exactly where it connects). My car has the EGR/Air pump setup. I fixed it, but I'm wondering what could this vacuum line could be used for? Could this be part of the problem?

: Passenger side of the car. Fuel supply and return line. Vacuum-like line separated

Thanks everyone!
-volvofan94

Post by **Ben850** » 26 Feb 2013, 19:34

That goes back to the EVAP canister in the front fender. Mine came loose after power washing the underside. I believe it was also reponsible for a starting issue I was experiencing after that particular car wash.

That reminds me, I plan on putting a hose clamp on it for a little assurance.

Post by **Volvofan94** » 26 Feb 2013, 21:30

I patched mine up last night. I think the car has been driven with the line disconnected for a while now.

The new battery has been installed with not much difference in starting. It took several cranks to get it to finally start up. I'm pretty sure it's getting good gas and air, but I'm not too sure about good spark. My thought is to check the ignition coil and spark plugs next.