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1985 240 Stumbling on acceleration

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on all Volvo's "mid era" rear wheel drive Volvos.

1975 - 1993 240
1983 - 1992 740
1982 - 1991 760
1986 - 1991 780
1990 - 1998 940
1990 - 1998 960
1997 - 1998 V90/S90

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98T5
Posts: 320
Joined: 11 August 2007
Year and Model: V70T5,98' / 940,93'
Location: Texas

Re: 1985 240 Stumbling on acceleration

Post by 98T5 »

One of 5 things:

1. bad coil.
2. bad O2 sensor
3. bad cat
4. bad cap/rotor
5. arching/cracked wires

good luck. 8)
98’ S70 T5 Turbo Manual - Midnight
01' S60 T5 Turbo- Brandy
98' V70 T5 Turbo - Swifty
93’ 244 n/a - Mr.Chill
91' 940 SE Turbo - Mojo SOLD
83' 242 DL - Bluto SOLD
93' 940 Wagon - Django - SOLD
:mrgreen: 8) :mrgreen:

Mr Sabetodo
Posts: 50
Joined: 14 April 2012
Year and Model: 85 volvo 245
Location: N. California

Post by Mr Sabetodo »

A quick test for bubbles is to slightly loosen the nut above the fuel pressure regulator, listen for air escaping w/ the gas (wear vinyl gloves). A piece of clear vinyl tube spliced in the fuel line just before the fuel rail will show bubbles if they're there. I just did that and the fittings are HARD to find (nobody sells them), so I found a junk engine and cut off the end of the hose connection and 1 inch of the fuel rail, switch them around so they mate up w/ the same fittings in your car, use hose clamps on the vinyl.

jotzgr
Posts: 13
Joined: 15 October 2013
Year and Model: 1998 S70 GLT
Location: Alabama, US

Post by jotzgr »

I think I discovered my problem. The pre-pump (transfer) pump in the tank was completely dead. I would have expected more symptoms than just this occasional hiccup, but I removed it and hooked up direct power and nothing. Most of the time the car was running perfectly, which is pretty amazing. I am also having to replace the sender assembly that holds the pump because the ground connection is so corroded that it is not grounding through the assembly down to the pump. So even if I were to put a new pump in the old assembly, it's still not gonna work. Ordered the parts today, will update on results when I finish.
VOLVO: 98 S70 GLT, 97 960 Wagon,
96 850 GLT Wagon, 89 240 DL, 85 244 DL
SAAB: 98 900S Convertible, 97 900S Convertible,
94 900S 5-Door, 92 900 4-Door, 91 900 Turbo Convertible
BMW: 82 320is
TRIUMPH: 80 TR7 Convertible
OLDSMOBILE: 93 & 94 Cutlass Supreme Convertibles
CHRYSLER: 90 New Yorker Fifth Avenue

newmex999
Posts: 20
Joined: 15 July 2009
Year and Model: 240DL 1985
Location: USA

Post by newmex999 »

Thought about this early on, however when I listened through the fuel filler neck, I heard the in tank pump buzzing. Although this is still one of the things on my list of possibilities. Dealing with other issues now. Both alternator belts shredded the other day. Oh well, one of the joys of owning a 30 year old vehicle!

bloodrootfc
Posts: 16
Joined: 25 April 2014
Year and Model: 1998 S90
Location: Connecticut

Post by bloodrootfc »

Nexmex> Smoke test your gas tank. The vent valve hose and filler neck hose has a tendency to crack.

newmex999
Posts: 20
Joined: 15 July 2009
Year and Model: 240DL 1985
Location: USA

Post by newmex999 »

Can you explain? Thanks

bloodrootfc
Posts: 16
Joined: 25 April 2014
Year and Model: 1998 S90
Location: Connecticut

Post by bloodrootfc »

Once you're at speed, the engine is in a sort of steady-state that is mostly governed by the ignition system utilizing the fuel being delivered by the main fuel line. During changes in in engine load such as starting from a stop, the "EVAP" system turns on and delivers fuel vapors to the intake. If there is a leak in that system, it can stumble until the fuel delivery takes over in the "open loop". Not 100% clear about how it all works, but basically your problem sounds like a fuel vapor venting problem, not a liquid fuel delivery problem.

The fuel tank has a couple of thin rubber tubes coming off it that become very brittle as they are exposed to all the crap being kicked up from the road by your tires.

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93Regina
Posts: 2813
Joined: 18 January 2014
Year and Model: 93:240/940
Location: Sunflower State
Been thanked: 65 times

Post by 93Regina »

newmex999 wrote:85 240 wagon stumbles bad on acceleration...idol surge when I am stopped
Where did replacement AMM come from? Disconnect AMM, and see what symptoms are. Is tailpipe running rich currently?

User avatar
93Regina
Posts: 2813
Joined: 18 January 2014
Year and Model: 93:240/940
Location: Sunflower State
Been thanked: 65 times

Post by 93Regina »

jotzgr wrote:all of a sudden nothing
On that Chrysler ignition box, do not pull plug out, but try to wiggle the plug; massage it a pinch

newmex999
Posts: 20
Joined: 15 July 2009
Year and Model: 240DL 1985
Location: USA

Post by newmex999 »

Resolution to the stumbling/hesitation on acceleration and idle surge-
Had to replace both alternator belts as they broke when alternator came loose.
Replaced alternator bushings and re-tightened everything. Also replaced distributor cap.

Both the hesitation and idle surge are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has insight into this let me know?

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