92, 740, ????

[heatherlove]

Here is the problem: My wifes 92 Volvo sarted sputering and dying at stops, I was away working in another state so she asked her brother in law to look at it. He surmised fuel pump! She paid $300.00 at NAPA for a new one and he replaced it. Now the car ran, (poorly) for three or four days then stopped. She called him back and he tried to adjust the timing. No good. Now I am back and totally at a lost as to what to do!

1: The car has the Regina Fuel System with 2 fuel pumps! My wife does not know what fuel pump he replaced. He won't return my calls. (I think the car broke his pride!)

2: There is no adjustment to the timing as it is controlled by the computor. When I told him this he refuses to beleive me. (This is were the hurt pride and not returning the phone calls comes into play) I hav no idea what he could done if any in further damanging the car.

Now when I returned I ran the computer codes and it came back as the ICV (idal control valve) I replaced it no luck car still will not run. I was hoping that he misdiagnosed the fuel pump problem and this is what the car needed all along.

Now I dont know were to go from here. I was thinking of pulling both fuel pumps and starting there. But I dont know if what he tried to adjust the timing somthing else is out of whack and I need to start there first.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We are down to one car and I use it for work so my wife is stuck with the three kids all day and preaty much wants to castrate me when I get home. If I dont solve this soon it could get ugly. I live in a small town and the only Volvo mechanic in town is out of commission for awhile.

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo forum.

She paid $300.00 at NAPA for a new one and he replaced it.

To add insult to injury that must have been gold plated as FCPGroton (link at top of forum) sell the main pump for $155.00 and the in-tank unit for $35 - 65.00 depending on engine.

There have been numerous queries about 740 fuel pumps on this forum and the consensus of opinion is that both pumps should be changed if it is the main pump that is causing trouble. Check out posts by member Kmaniac in California USA. He has had experience of this.

There are many reasons why the car is sputtering. First checks should be the basics: Spark and fuel. Unless he screwed something up totally when he 'adjusted the timing' you should be able to get it to start.

If you have a spark then check for fuel arriving at the injectors. If no fuel work backwards to the filter then the pumps. You should be able to see if he replaced the main pump as it will be a nice shiny bit in an otherwise dirty area. If you need to replace the in-tank pump you need a new sock for it.

Do the initial checks then come back if you need more help.

Bill.

[Kmaniac in California USA]

Now I know why my ears were burning.

Now, I'm not familiar with the 1992, but on my 1986, the throttle positioner has a switch that emits an audible "click" when the throttle closes and opens, turning on and off the idle position. If something prevents the throttle returning to the idle position (or clicking), the car will not idle correctly or sputter and stall. I learned this the hard way on my 740 when I installed a factory cruise control and replaced the bellcrank without readjusting the actuating rod between the bellcrank and the throttle body. That should be something to look at.

Also, it would be good to know what your brother-in-law did. He probably messed something up with the distributor. In the future, make sure he stays at least 50 feet from any of your cars. You may want to consider a restraining order, I know I sure would.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[MadeInJapan]

I'm thinking that since he mentioned that it was his wife's brother-in-law, this guy is either his own brother (too embarrassed to mention that?) or one of his wife's sibling's spouses.... none-the-less, I agree with you. Never let this guy near any of your cars ever again. I hate it for your wife...and what a wimp- won't even return your phone calls. I hope he feels sufficiently guilty.

[CarVolvo]

i just got my first 740 .. lots of similarities to the 240 and i have not looked close at it but lets look at a couple of solutions.

1. look under the rear drivers side passenger seat (under the frame) and thats where your pump would be.. try to determine if its actually been replaced or not.

2. This pump is the main pressure for the system and if its not functioning properly will not build up the proper pressure.

3. if you remove the back connection of the hose you can see if the transfer pump.. the one in the tank is actually working too to some degree.

I know the most common problems with these 240 engines are the relay and the fuse holder that goes with it. I know the car i have has those yours might not...

atleast this will tell you what point to start i hope.

[billofdurham]

I agree about the similarities but should this not read the other way round?

just got my first 740 .. lots of similarities to the 240

Sorry, I know it's nitpicking but it may lead to confusion further down the line.

[CarVolvo]

I guess what im saying is.. the 4 cylinder is the same on the 7 , 8 and 9 series and i would think there are similarities.

i have had more than a few 240's and my dianosis is based on my experience on the 240..and i assume its the same as the 740...but i have not poked around the new addition to the fleet yet (745 wagon non turbo).

Hope that clears things up Bill!

[billofdurham]

Sorry for the jumping to conclusions. You aren't showing the 740 in your signature so I assumed your new one was the 240.

My grandfather always used to say, "Never assume anything, it only makes an Ass out of U and Me."

Bill.

[CarVolvo]

Hey Bill no worries.. your contributions to the forum are as always outstanding!

Just confirm to me that i am right in my theory that the fuel system is the same if you can on the 740 and 240 if you dont mind?

pssst i changed my signature.. good time for everyone else to do the same specially those new people who forget to add their locations and volvo models~

[billofdurham]

Yes the 240 and 740 fuel injection systems are essentially the same. UK vehicles were a little bit later going on to 2 pumps but from 1985/6 that was the UK system as well.

I agree about the need for newcomers to post their whereabouts as well as all the details about their cars. Many times I have been unable to find a location and, in some cases, it does make a difference on the diagnosis. UK/European models differ in some respects from US/Canadian models. Volvo did not always supply us with all the fancy bits they put on your cars.

Bill.