New Volvo Owner - SOS - '87 240 Wagon

theSilentFewl · Post by **theSilentFewl** » 23 Jul 2008, 11:53

1. 1987 240 DL Wagon /w Auto Trans LH 2.2/B230F
2. Just turned 150k last week.
3. Since car started with the trouble last week, I have installed a new fuel filter, new main fuel pump, replaced fuses 4 and 6 on inside fuse panel, replaced 25A fuse under hood, removed/opened and inspected main fuel relay under glove box, have heard all injectors ticking and humming with screwdriver to ear check, removed the fuel bar and injectors today, inspected all O-rings on injectors(all O rings look to be in great shape), checked for leaks in air lines) I do have the Bentley Volvo 240 Service Manual. I also have removed the timing belt cover and inspected that, it seems to be in fine shape, can still see the numbers on the belt, no missing or damaged teeth.
4. I received the car just over a month ago as a gift, the owner i got it from has had the car for about 3 years and i do not know anything about any previous owners other than him. The car has driven out to CO and back to DC this year, I have took it for a trip up to PA last month and went as far north as NH and back. I have had no trouble with the car, it runs great, excellent mileage for the year it is, has been well maintained, just got new wires/dist/tune up in April of this year, new catalytic converter within last 6 months.
I was driving to a job last thursday, car started and drove fine, had about 3/4 of a tank of gas. It was a hot summer morning about 85F and rising. I was driving up hill and came to a stop sign. After I stopped I was turning left up a hill and upon accelerating out of the side street I lost all acceleration. Car wouldnt even go 20 mph up the hill. I have spent 4 days reading through the service manual, trying to diagnose and fix the problem. If anyone has any suggestions on other things I could check or what might be causing the car to have no acceleration, very poor idle at any temp outside, etc, I am open to all assistance.
As I have said, i am a first time Volvo owner, dumbass american, but have been told they are easy to work on, hard to find parts for, and have found the work i have done thus far not too hard to work through.
5. I believe and hope I am in the right forum, if I happen not to be, please overlook my mistake.
Thank you!

Post by **billofdurham** » 23 Jul 2008, 12:47

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

You seem to have covered a lot of the areas that need to be checked, but there is always 'something else'.

First check on a car of this age is the earth (ground) connections on the inlet manifold. They can cause all sorts of problems if they are dirty or loose.

How long is it since the fuel filter was changed?

Check the fuel pressure.

Check the coolant temperature sensor located in the cylinder head.

You have checked the air lines for leaks. Have you checked the inlet manifold for leaks?

These are some of the more usual things to check. If you are still having problems post back.

Bill.

theSilentFewl · Post by **theSilentFewl** » 23 Jul 2008, 16:14

billofdurham wrote:
First check on a car of this age is the earth (ground) connections on the inlet manifold. They can cause all sorts of problems if they are dirty or loose.

? What exactly is the 'inlet manifold' and where would I find the ground for it, don't see this specified in manual that I have? Could it be called something else?

How long is it since the fuel filter was changed?
I changed it last Thursday, the one I took off looked to be pretty old.

Check the fuel pressure. Any way to check fuel pressure without a fuel pressure gauge?

Check the coolant temperature sensor located in the cylinder head. Gonna try to check this now.

You have checked the air lines for leaks. Have you checked the inlet manifold for leaks? Again not sure what the inlet manifold is?

These are some of the more usual things to check. If you are still having problems post back.

Bill.

Thank you for the response.

nlemerise · Post by **nlemerise** » 28 Jul 2008, 08:59

My son had the same symptoms with his car about a year ago. It took me awhile to find the problem. I cannot tell you the part name that I replaced, but it was associated with the fuel injection system. It is a regulator (I do believe it may regulate fuel pressure in the injection system). It is a silver canister that sits on the front of the engine (attached to the fuel rail) and there may be a vacuum line connected to it. I remember doing a test where with the hose disconnected and turning the key on...but once again, I cannot remember the exact test. The part was about $50 and it cured the problem completely. I apologize for my inability to remember the details of the repair...thought I'd post this in an attempt to help.

theSilentFewl · Post by **theSilentFewl** » 28 Jul 2008, 09:38

Thank you for posting. I really appreicate any help at this point and the piece you are talking about would be the Fuel Pressure Regulator. From reading about it in the manual I have and what you have described I do think it very well may be my problem. I hope so and will let you know the result.

nlemerise · Post by **nlemerise** » 28 Jul 2008, 12:40

That's it and here is a link to the fact on checking it out:

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/F ... _Regulator

nisan17 · Post by **nisan17** » 15 Aug 2008, 00:10

I have and 86 740 non turbo which started losing power and speed back in 2005. I was frustrated and was almost going to dump it as no mechanic in 50 miles of where we live has experience working on them.

I read on this forum on how to test the MAF by pulling apart the wiring connection while the car was idling, if it ran smooth then the MAF was bad. Wah Lah, that was my problem. I then looked for a used MAF on www.car-parts.com
Bought a used MAF for $85 and the car is still running, even after two deer collisions and 210k, and 25-28 mpg.