2001 S80 Starting Issue

[diar89]

I'm driving a 01 Volvo S80 with the 2.9, non-turbo, and its been interesting to say the least. Ive replaced the crankshaft sensor, battery, battery terminals, alternator and had the starter tested. The starter tested fine, but the car still has issues when first starting after sitting for a few hours. Im leaning towards a cam sensor, but its not giving any codes that something is wrong. I, honestly, am stumped. The lights dont dim, its simply as if the car isnt wanting to spark. Turns over just fine, just no spark. Not sure if this is related or not, but every 500 miles I have to add coolant, which I cant find the leak for. So, thoughts?

[difflock54]

My guess is coolant slowly seeping into cylinders due to a blown head gasket.
Once it starts the coolant buildup is being expelled thru the exhaust.
Remove spark plugs with engine cold and with torch look for evidence of water in any of the cylinders.
Best thing would be a leak-down test to confirm also.

[Oly_850]

I would do fairly quick things. You need to confirm compression, spark and fuel pressure. None it this is 100% precise, but will lead you in the right direction.

1) turn the key on, hear the fuel pump? With a screwdriver and a rag, carefully depress the center of the schrader valve at the right end of the fuel rail. Squirt of gas? Good. If not, figure out your fuel pressure problem.

2) Carefully take out the ignition coils, and remove the park plugs. Disable the fuel injectors by removing the appropriate fuse, it's marked. Do a quick compression test. Should be all well over 120lbs (even cold) and within 10lbs or so of one another. Compression low or non existent on one cylinder, or between two?

3) Find heavy or rubber type garden gloves. Using a test light grounded to the engine block, have a friend crank over the motor while you look for spark at the end of each coil pack by probing near it. You should see a strong bolt of lightning leap from the end of the coil pack to the tip of the test light. Repeat with park plugs attached to the coils but still hanging free. Got Spark?

Go do these, and write back with results. Could be other things, maybe really dirty injectors, but this should identify an issue somewhere.

[difflock54]

I think the coolant loss is the primary key to this problem.
Water cooled spark plugs at start up.
Should not need topping off every 500 miles.

[diar89]

I think the coolant loss is the primary key to this problem.
Water cooled spark plugs at start up.
Should not need topping off every 500 miles.

I broke down and took it to a mechanic. Fouled out spark plugs and a wore out intake manifold gasket was to blame. Another recomendation was to replace the head gasket soon. To prevent another coolant issue