my 240 just ran out of gas now wont start

ifeelpretty · Post by **ifeelpretty** » 28 Jan 2005, 12:31

a couple of days ago my 240 ran out of gas and now it wont start even though i put more gas in it. it will turn over but it will not crank up i have no idea what has happened and i need some help soon if anyone has any ideas please tell me
Doug Popp
[email protected]

petershen1984 · Post by **petershen1984** » 29 Jan 2005, 06:56

Maybe what you thought was running out of gas could be a fuel pump failure....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Jan 2005, 14:53

Well it might have been the fuel pump but i was for sure out of gas. it was getting a little below its regular fuel mileage and now when i do try to start it it will almost start but then nothing. the starter will enagage and it will turn the engine over but no start. So what if it is the fuel pump how much am i looking at and how difficult will the work be on my own.
Doug

40 years in Volvos · Post by **40 years in Volvos** » 30 Jan 2005, 12:08

Twice on my 1982 240 turbo I ran out of gas and blew the main fuel pump
fuse.I put in gas and replaced fuse. Everthing was O.K.
On my 1981 240 wagon the engine would quit as if it was out of gas and I found the problem to be an oxidized connection at the fuel pump fuse.
Clean the fuse holder and bend it to make it hold the fuse more tightly.Hope this helps. Ed

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 31 Jan 2005, 18:21

What you describe with your 240 sounds similar to the fuel problem I had with my 1986 740 GLE. My story is documented in this forum between August and September 2004. My problem was intermittant main fuel pump operation, but my car behaved the same way you describe during the bouts of pump failure.

First of all, check the fuses for both of your fuel pumps. There are two pumps, one in the gas tank and one under the car. Each has a separate fuse.

The fact that you say the car almost starts tells me that the in-tank pump is working and providing enough fuel to fire a few cylinders at initial key turn, but not enough to sustain idle. It sounds like the main fuel pump is not functioning.

I suggest you locate the main fuel pump, which is typically under the car. Take a rock and tap lightly against the pump, then try to start the car. If it starts immediately, you have a main pump on the verge of failure. If not, then it is most likely dead.

I replaced the main fuel pump in my 740 by myself. I spent $125 for an aftermarket pump. The main pump and fuel filter are under the car and unbolt easily. Disconnect the fuel discharge hose at the gas tank before disconnecting the hose at the fuel pump. If you don't, gravity well siphon the contents of your gas tank through the hose. Replacement will be fairly straight forward from there.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 03 Feb 2005, 06:59

Well today i went to the mechanic and found that this main fuel pump is going to be $300+ to fix. I thought about trying it myself but i was told it is a pretty hard fix. Do you guys think this would be better just to get a mechanic to fix it or try to do it myself. All i know is that i have little money and i need this fix quick.
Doug