02 V70 T5 Cranks but won't start...intermittently

woodsplittingfool · Post by **woodsplittingfool** » 25 Apr 2014, 12:58

My 02 V70 T5 with 215,000 miles has an intermittent starting problem. I can almost tell when it won't start based on how long the fuel pump runs when I turn the key. If it the pump runs a long time (5 sec or so), it will start. If the pump runs for just a second it won't.

If it doesn't start, I spray starting fluid (with upper cylinder lube) into the intake and it turns over until the starting fluid reaches the cylinders and then fires and runs fine. It's probably 50/50 whether it will start normally. Lately it has also been stalling randomly at slow speeds at an idle. It's done that 3 or 4 times now. When it stalls I have to get out the starting fluid again. I've replaced the fuel pump recently as well as the fuel filter. When I replaced the fuel pump, the engine would start every time for a short while, then slowly decided not to want to start. I don't know if this problem is fuel pressure regulator or fuel pressure damper or what. There are no codes to report.

FYI - I've also recently replaced the PCV system, timing belt/water pump, battery, spark plugs, crank sensor, 1 ignition coil, outer intake cam oil seal.

any help would be greatly appreciated before I spend a bunch more money chasing down the problem.

altalake · Post by **altalake** » 10 Sep 2014, 21:27

Did you ever resolve this? I have a very similar problem with a slightly lower mileage '01 V70 T5 including changing from a crank-no start issue to random stalls when driving but starts again after a few minutes (usually).

rubbersidedown · Post by **rubbersidedown** » 12 Sep 2014, 00:38

Have you checked the fuel flow? You should be able to find the spec for the liter / min the pump should provide. I had a bad fuel pressure regulator once (in an older car - pre-computerized modules).
Here is a story about the fuel pressure sensor: http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... -T5-engine

altalake · Post by **altalake** » 26 Sep 2014, 23:02

Problem seems solved for now. The intermittent issue got much worse (always an advantage in tracking down problems) and towed car to a dealer (130km away). Turns out where I thought I measured voltage on the fuel pump was not the fuel pump but the level sensor (unit under the left, rear seat). Dealer replaced the fuel pump and then decided it was the level sensor. They replaced this and now the car starts and runs reliably - but I'll know better after a month if it's really fixed.
The dealer didn't manage to seal the sensor mount properly and now it leaks lots of fuel around the sensor mount and, as well, the fuel gauge reads too high. Not particularly confidence inspiring workmanship - but they will fix it for free (after spending $1K on the repair).