Ran out of gas,Now wont strat.1992,740 wagon

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 26 Feb 2007, 14:09

First off,
Thank You for this community.

My wife ran my 1992 740 wagon out of gas today.I put 10 gallons of gas in it.And it wont fully start, now,,I say "fully" because it starts then dies.sometimes it seems as though it is gonna idle,then other times it just bumps,then thats it.
I have not flooded it,this is for positive.I ran the thing out of gas once about 5 years ago,and after puting gas in it,it fired right up...But not this time..Please help if you can.I am suspecting that the pump is now faulty.But,,you guy's are the pro's,,,not me..
A little history.
It has a 2300cc engine
automatic
187k miles
has always ran great.I have always been amazed that this little 2300 engine powers the wagon as well as it does..
Engine has NO rattles or knocks ever,uses NO oil between changes.and does not smoke,,ever

I hope I have supplied enough information..

Thank You Again for this forum,,and for looking at my post

DW

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Feb 2007, 14:29

Don't know about your car but on our FWD cars if you run completely out of gas, one of two problems can occur:
1. The sludge in the bottom of the gas tank clogs up the fuel filter- try changing it out.
2. Gasoline actually helps cool the fuel pump. When the car runs out of gas the fuel pump sometimes goes kaput. Hope this is not the case, but when you turn the key to position II, do you hear the fuel pump engaging?

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 26 Feb 2007, 16:12

First of all, your 1992 most likely has the "two fuel pump system", like my 1986. Search this forum for my posts on fuel pumps. There is a small fuel pump in the tank and a large, main pump under the car below the driver's seat, next to the main fuel filter.

Did you hear the fuel pump run momentarily when you turned the key to "On" the first time after adding the gasoline? If not, the main pump may not be running and the in-tank pump may be giving you just enough fuel to fire the engine at first before it dies.

Try tapping the main fuel pump under the car with a rock or other blunt object, then see if it will start. If this causes the car to run, then the pump is approaching the end of it's useful life and should be replaced.

Should you go ahead and change the fuel pump, replace both pumps simultaneously, including both the in-tank filter sock and the main fuel filter. Otherwise you risk destroying the the new main fuel pump prematurely.

Good luck with this and let us know what you find and do.

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 26 Feb 2007, 17:38

Well Chris,thats more info about the fuel system than i have found yet.Did'nt hear anything running when I put in the 8 gal. of gas..I realy dont remember ever hearing it,,but that doesnt mean anything either..lol

I have not been able to find a book(Haynes manual or something) on my model at Autozone or PepBoys.The 2 main parts places around me...Do you know of any online places to look at info for my model?

I will look for another pump tomorrow,as I intend on replacing the filter,and see if that does anytihng.I also plan on having the wife turn on the key as I listen in the fuel inlet.I cant hear anything when I do it...

I thank you all for your replies,and I'll be checking back often for any updates...

DW

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 27 Feb 2007, 07:55

UPDATE....

I checked under the car this morning,and I do not see a pump.I do have a large can type inline filter under the drivers seat...I am going to replace the filter,and check some other things like,,is fuel getting to the filter,and then to the fuel rail...

Just incase it is the intank pump,,,Does anyone have a book that has the procedure,and maybe some pic's on replacing the pump? DO I have to drop the tank as I did with the wifes Acura,or is there an inpection cover that would allow access?

AS I mentioned before,I dont have a book on my 740,although I am still looking..

Thanks for looking

DW

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 27 Feb 2007, 08:16

UPDATE #2

No buzzing from intank pump...All I heard when the key was switched on was ,2 lite bing,bings...no humming,or buzzing of any kind...This was with my ear over the filler neck,while wife turned the key on...
SO I guess we have determined that the pump in the tank has went "Kaput".

Now if anyone has the procedure to replace it...

Thanks again

DW

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 27 Feb 2007, 08:17

Hey DW:

You do not have to drop the tank to access the in-tank fuel pump or sender unit. There should be an inspection cover on the floor over the tank. Just pull back the carpet and unbolt it.

BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FILTER, remove the inspection cover and disconnect the fuel supply line from the tank. Otherwise, you may siphon the remaining contents of fuel onto the ground. Not a safe condition, especially if you are in an enclosed garage. I learned this one the hard way. Good thing I did this in my driveway. Hopefully you didn't fill the tank too full when you added gas.

I have heard that at some point, these cars changed from the two-pump system to a single-pump system. On the two-pump system cars, the main fuel pump and main fuel filter were mounted together under the car below the driver's seat. Since you only found the filter, I suspect you have a single-pump system.

This procedure is not rocket science. It should be very intuitive for anyone to complete without a manual, although a manual is helpful to have.

Let us know if you have any other questions or comments.

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 27 Feb 2007, 08:28

Another thought:

If the fuel rail is pressurized to operating pressure, the fuel pump will not buzz when the key is turned to "On". Look on the fuel rail for some type of pressure valve or connection to attach a pressure gauge. My 1986 doesn't have one, but my 1991 Dodge Shadow does. Maybe Volvo was smart enough to add this by 1992. If you find one, see if you can release any residual pressure. If you can't find one, disconnect the fuel pressure line from the fuel rail. Then have your wife turn the key and see if fuel pump buzzes or fuel pumps out of the open fuel line. This will be the definitive test for fuel pump operation when you don't have the proper fuel pressure test gauges. Of course, no buzz or no fuel flow means bad fuel pump.

Let us know what you find and what you do next.

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 27 Feb 2007, 08:37

Thank You Guy's for your quick responce.I agree that fuel on the floor is a bad thing..lol..

I have survived this long without a book on my ride,,but i agree,it's nice to have one,if nothing else,,as a refference...

I just bought this,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 65267&rd=1

I talked to the guy,and it has a 1 year warranty,so I took the chance..
What do ya'll think?? I will need to find the sock (pick up screen) locally i guess.Probly a bad idea to reuse the original...

DW

dw601 · Post by **dw601** » 27 Feb 2007, 08:39

Oh and I want to add this...
Thank You again for this community...Being able to talk to others about something that your not sure of,is invaluable...

I will stick around here,for sure.If not asking Q's,,then just to read and see if I can help anyone else...I believe in "Paying It Forward"...

Again,,,thanks for this place,and you time in putting it here for us novices to use !

DW