S60 T5 Hard to start and fuel Smell

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 26 Aug 2007, 11:21

My 2001 S60 T5 recently began to get hard to start. Usually takes pumping the gas pedal to get it to start. Once stated it seems to run fine, but a strong gas/fuel smell is now very strong. It is not coming from under the hood, but can be smelled if standing beside the car. No messages in the mesage center, but have not had anyone try a code reader. Has 90,000 miles on it. Any suggestions as to what may be the problem?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Aug 2007, 12:04

Gas or fuel filter could be clogged and/or the carbon canister that is part of the vacuum fuel system.

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 26 Aug 2007, 12:10

Guess I'll try the fuel filter first. Sounds like the cheapest option to try. Do you know if it's easy to replace?

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 26 Aug 2007, 12:38

Just crawled up under and noticed that it looks like gas has been leaking down the tank in the area near the filter...is this a totally new problem or could it be related to the filter?

Post by **JRL** » 26 Aug 2007, 16:17

Possible check valve in the fuel pump.
The smell is all the gas you flooding into the engine

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 02 Sep 2007, 12:54

Well, replaced the fuel filter. Has helped with some of the gas smell, but not all of it. It's still hard to start when cold, but after it starts it runs fine. Is there a gasket where the fuel pump attaches to the gas tank? I'm thinking it may be leaking from there causing the smell and a small vacuum leak. Just a thought.

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 03 Oct 2007, 15:13

Here's what I've been told by Volvo:"Thank you for your email.

If your complaint to NHTSA results in a recall for your particular vehicle, you will be notified by mail. Until that time, only the vehicles flagged as being affected by the recall can have the recall done.

Sincerely,

Bart S. Levine

VCNA"

Here's what I was told by the National Highwat Transportation Safety Administration:"Rcd you complaint about your vehicle being out of recall scope. Volvo's data showed a very very small percentage of vehicle outside of the two hottest states may have the same problem (do you spend time in hotter region beside your home state?). Volvo is covering all other vehicles that are out of recall scope w/ a 8-year/80k miles emissions warranty...your veh. appears to be just out of the mileage limits, but within the time limit...I would like to fwd your report to Volvo, but I cannot fwd it as you did not specifically allowed us to do so (our system defaults to "not allowed" if you do not specify). According to Volvo, they believe that just some of the dealers are not following thru on the out of scope vehicles...

If you allow us to fwd your complaint and personal information (name, VIN, phone, address) to Volvo, please reply to this email and state that " I allow NHTSA to provide a copy of this report (VOQ) to the manufacturer"

If you still do not allow us to inform Volvo, then my suggestion is to contact Volvo direct and inform them of this (let them know you were just outside the mileage limit, but within the time limit) and request an reimbursement or portion of it.

Peter C. Ong

Safety Defects Engineer
Office of Defects Investigation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
US DOT
O 202-366-0583
F 202-366-1767"

I replied:"" I allow NHTSA to provide a copy of this report (VOQ) to the manufacturer"

Also, I live in Nashville, TN and we had at least 3 weeks of temps with highs over 100 degrees farenhite this past August. That is the time the trouble started. I firmly believe that my car should be included as it has the same safety problems of those in the other states. I and my family are at the same risk as others who are being covered. Will it take one of us burning to death to make all affected cars included? I certainly hope not. The NHTSB should require the recall if Volvo will not do it on their own. Also, the mileage allowance of 10,000 per year is very unreasonable. Hardly anyone drives that few miles per year."

NHTSA replied,"FYI,

During the investigation, Volvo reported one claim for the MY01-02 S60 population of 774 vehicles in TN yielding a rate of 0.13% which is comparable to the national average. Volvo reported 291 Arizona/Nevada S60 claims over a population of f1,300 vehicles yielding a rate of 22.4%. There were no fire/crash/injury associated with this issue.

Peter C. Ong

Safety Defects Engineer
ODI, NVS212
NHTSA - US DOT
O 202-366-0583
F 202-366-1767"

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 03 Oct 2007, 15:50

Just thought...Could this be the gasket for the fuel filter causing the small leak and smell?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Oct 2007, 19:54

Good question....but where it it wet?

blamj · Post by **blamj** » 04 Oct 2007, 15:37

can see it coming from the top of the tank and running down the tank. Can't tell for sure. Saw it when I replaced the fuel filter. It's not very much. In the recall they replace the fuel pump, but I can't afford that right now since it will not be handled by volvo.