possible fuel pump problem?

tak · Post by **tak** » 02 May 2009, 07:45

Hi everyone. I have a 1988 240 wagon, bought in australia, not sure of trim, which is a wonderful car, except for the fact that it has had one problem after another in the past two weeks. -the car had been stationary for about three months up until two weeks ago due to a broken headlight. i fixed the headlight and then i noticed that the alternator was out of position (about an inch further forward to where it was supposed to be) and the belts weren't in proper contact. so i just yesterday had the bushes replaced by my mechanic (they had warped and pushed my alternator forward) and the new belts put on, and it was working great, except being a bit clunky in the gear changes. i filled up the transmission fluid levels and everything seemed to be back on track, although it didn't seem to have quite as much power as i remembered it having. i thought i was going crazy because my other car is also a volvo wagon, but has 6, not 4 cylinders, so maybe i was used to a bit more power..but now i'm having serious power issues. it seems like there isn't enough fuel getting to the engine to drive the car forward -i'm talking about 3000 revs for 40km/ph kind of power issues. something similar happened to me last year and i had the fuel pump replaced -but it can't need to be replaced again...surely not? it was done by a specialist volvo mechanic that ended up costing me around $600. i have heard there are two fuel pumps, and someone has suggested that it could be a blockage from sitting around in the garage for three months. any ideas or ways that i can check myself before i go crying to my mechanic?

Post by **billofdurham** » 02 May 2009, 12:14

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

someone has suggested that it could be a blockage from sitting around in the garage for three months.

Possible but not very likely. When was the main filter changed?

There are two pumps, the main pump is under the car and the other is in-tank. Which was changed? It is adviseable to change both pumps at the same time and a Volvo mechanic should have known this. The in-tank pump has a sock filter attached to it which tends to break down and the particles end up in the main pump blocking it.

To do a quick check on the pumps you need an assistant to switch on the ignition whilst you listen to the main pump by lying down and getting as near as possible to it. The in-tank pump can be heard easier if you remove the filler cap and your assistant switches the ignition on.

Bill.

tak · Post by **tak** » 06 May 2009, 20:57

hi Bill, thankyou so much for you reply, your advice was really appreciated. I checked the fuel pump and everything sounded fine, which was a huge relief. after a few tears and tantrums on my part at my cars inability to do anything other than rev, i called around and it turned out i was checking the transmission fluid incorrectly (without the engine on) and i needed a put whole 600ml more into it! thankyou again for your assistance.

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 May 2009, 16:09

Thank you for the update.

Bill.