constant starting problem v70 awd 1998

jonnylove · Post by **jonnylove** » 13 May 2010, 03:28

i am driving myself (and my wallet) mad trying to chase the starting problem on my 1998 v70awd... from cold and hot the car refuses to start straight away. To get the vehicle to start you have to excessively turn the engine over and teh car will ALWAYS start. Once started the car gives off a sulphur/fuel smell and sometime a ploom of smoke, idles rough for about 10 seconds but then runs perfectly for the rest of the journey. Occasionally when teh car os left for about a week without being used it will start first time but then the problem will always return the next time the car is started!! Fuel filters have been changed, the car has been fully serviced and the lamda sensor has now been changed twice... mechanics at my local garage claimed to find fault with it but this has now been changed twice but the warning light is back on again??? Has anyone heard of such staring faults before? I am starting to think it may be one of the following: fuel pressure regulator fault, sticking fuel pump check valve, faulty fuel pump or an issue with the ECU....? many thanks if you can help...

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 13 May 2010, 04:03

Instead of clearing the code, try reading it. Without codes we're really just guessing. I'm no expert at starting issues but I will try to point you in the right direction. Usually people start by checkin for fuel pressure, then for spark. How old are the plugs and are they gapped to .028"? Until you get the codes read and somebody else gets back to you, look through older posts. Starting problems have been extremely common over the past few months on the forum and the method for figuring out what's wrong is the same. Look at the old posts and try out the advice given. Hopefully you'll be able to figure it out, but if not, you will have a lot more information about what is and isn;t working when you post back.

Good luck!

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 May 2010, 09:00

Once started the car gives off a sulphur/fuel smell and sometime a ploom of smoke, idles rough for about 10 seconds but then runs perfectly for the rest of the journey

That almost sounds exactly like the fuel pressure regulator. Which, on an AWD, is a COMPLETE PITA to get at, because it's on top of the fuel tank. Get a fuel pressure gauge and see if you can figure out anything else.

As a matter of curiosity, pull off the line from the EVAP purge valve at the front of the radiator to the intake manifold and try starting. Any luck with this?

denvaa · Post by **denvaa** » 29 May 2010, 11:11

I am having the exact same issue. You have to turn it over for about 10-15 seconds and then it will start (always) and smells flooded after it starts. I am very curious as to what is causing this. How can i measure the fuel pressure to see if that is infact the issue? Would an alarm be triggered if this was the case?

850tech · Post by **850tech** » 29 May 2010, 16:36

Sounds like fuel entering the intake after the cars shut down. I would start with the purge valve as mentioned above, also make sure the evap canister is not saturated with fuel (should only hold vapour). If both those are fine it could be an injector leaking after shut down. Not sure about the regulator, but its an A/F ratio issue for sure, so check it too.
Oh and since its only for 10secs or so at start up, it couldn't be O2 sensors as the system would still be in open loop and not using thier input.

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 29 May 2010, 18:53

Check your EVAP valve...same problem with my 850 years ago.... When its fails, lets pass some fuel vapour to intake...(remember its a one way valve).. your engine fail random?? dies at high way speed??? refuses to start hot?? and 5 minutes later start without problems??

denvaa · Post by **denvaa** » 04 Jun 2010, 05:41

In my case the engine once started doesn't die and drives fine at highway speeds and is very persistent as far as this issue is every time i start the car. turns over for 10-15 seconds but always starts.

850tech · Post by **850tech** » 05 Jun 2010, 17:06

disconnect the hose at the purge valve overnight, then hook it up in the morning. If it starts fine then you've found your problem.

denvaa · Post by **denvaa** » 10 Jun 2010, 13:07

I had my check engine light checked at Autozone and was told i have a misfire in cylinder 3 and a bad O2 sensor. Would either of these be causing this issue?

Post by **igel513** » 10 Jun 2010, 15:03

I was informed by a "master" mechanic at fixya.com that the check valve at the fuel pump goes bad and allows fuel to drain back from the fuel rail to the tank thereby emptying the fuel rail. Upon starting after some downtime, the fuel rail will have to to wait for gas being pumped by fuel pump before engine starts. I think he has a point but not applicable to my 03 S60 cuz there's no such valve at the fuel pump per dealer. I just came from the dealer to have them check on my fuel pump w/c was included in a recent recall and was informed my pump was ok and no issues. I'm still having hard starting though so back to square 1 and try to find answers from this forum