'98 V70 Starting issues

[MSLV70]

I recently picked up a '98 V70 AWD with 170k'ish miles on the clock. 2 owners previous to me stored the car for years after a blown head gasket. The guy I bought it from bought it for cheap and machined the head, replaced the head gasket, valve seals, most vacuum lines, timing belt, plugs, wires, and some other misc.

The car runs pretty well and (based on 3 tanks) I've been getting about 20mpg with city driving.

I was told that it started "most of the time" on the first turn over, but occasionally with a c old start it would turn over 5-7 times before starting. In reality, it almost never starts immediately. If you shut the car off and immediately fire it back up, it will start easily. If you wait more than a couple of minutes, it turns over for 4-5 seconds before starting.

Some forum searching leads me to believe it is the fuel pump check valve, but I wanted to get a couple additional opinions before heading in that direction.

A couple of times, always on cooler mornings, it has started right up without any issue.

No fuel comes out of the schrader valve after the car sits overnight. If the car sits for 10 minutes, I get a light stream of fuel, but not a spray.

The guy I bought it from said that the owner previous to him had installed an aftermarket check valve. So, I guess that would have had to have failed as well as the stock fuel pump integrated valve.

2 things are confusing me.

1. Why it would start perfectly a couple of times when the weather was cooler. Wouldn't it ALWAYS be tough to start without fuel pressure?

2. Isn't the fuel pump energized when the key is turned? If I turn the key and let it sit for 10 secs, shouldn't it start fine?

I've verified the fuel pump relay is working (removed and jumpered with same results). I've also verified the coolant temp sensor seems to be functioning properly (monitored with scangauge).

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Matt

[EverRespect]

1. How do the battery terminals look?
2. If you give it gas, will it fire?

Sounds like a minor, inexpensive issue, just need to find it. By bet is on weak battery or ground connections.

[Klausc]

Pressure in the fuel line will normally drop down rapidly after engine stop and be at zero in about 30 minutes. The check valve keeps fuel in the line so the pump does not have to run for 5 seconds just to get fuel to the injectors. Turning the key to position II does run the pump for a couple of seconds, but that is meant to pressure the line, not fill it with fuel. Leaving the key in posII does nothing, as the pump is not then running.
I would clean the throttle body, check for vacuum leaks, if the temp gauge is not at 9 o'clock R&R the thermostat and ECT sensor, and check the hard vacuum line that runs down to the front of the intake manifold - that is for the fuel pressure regulator and must NOT contain any gasoline.

[MSLV70]

The battery looks relatively new and the terminals don't have a bit of corrosion. It turns over without issue and doesn't seem to be battery related.

It doesn't seem to matter if I'm giving it gas or not. It just cranks over until it decides to start.

I should also point out that it doesn't seem to matter how much gas in in the tank. Same symptoms if the tank is down to 1/8th or full.

-Matt

[MSLV70]

I'm starting to think it's not a lack of fuel, but an excess of fuel issue. If it's below 50 and the car has been sitting all night, it starts right up. I've monitored the water temp sensor and air temp sensor and both seem to be correct. I'm guessing maybe a leaky fuel injector or issue with the purge tank.

The previous owner had an issue with excessive fuel pressure due to a clogged return line, so that might have damaged something.

It throws occasional P0442 codes as well.

I'll post back here when I get it fixed, but I'm open to suggestions.

[Klausc]

Your P0442 has nothing to do with your hard start, but might be due to a cracked hose near the fuel filter.

If you suspect that there is too much fuel, check the exhaust when starting the car. If there is black smoke for a second or two, it is too rich and usually caused by a bad pressure regulator or a leak in one of the vacuum lines that go to the pressure regulator. You can find the FPR behind the engine on the passenger side, just follow the two lines that look like fuel lines.

A leaking injector normally makes for a hard start when the engine is hot and shut off for only a short time. A couple of bottles of Techtron fuel injector cleaner normally clears them.

[rspi]

Turn the key to II (run position), wait 4 seconds then start it to see if it fires faster. If so, it's taking a few seconds to build fuel pressure. How old are your spark plugs?

[MSLV70]

turning the key and waiting doesn't make a difference. The plugs are less than a year old.

[98T5]

P0442 code is an air leak in the system.

Add a new fuel filter(if not already), Check all your fuel lines and make sure they are not cracked or loose.clean your intake, TPSsensor and IAC Valve with carb cleaner and try it again. if nothing still, it could be a fuel pump relay, bad fuel pump or no electricity getting to the injectors. or all of the above. old car, new issues. comes with the territory. open your wallet and show some love for Volvo.

** Here's a trick to the fuel pump. turn the key on, put a long screwdriver end to it and put your ear to the screwdriver handle, if you can hear it buzzing, it's working and it's not the pump.

g'luck

[MSLV70]

I've already got a new fuel filter waiting to go in. I hope to get it done this weekend.

Where should the vacuum line for the FPR go? Mine has a long line run from the FPR that loops from the passenger side (past the coolant tank and ECU), along the front of the car, and then is connected just behind (rear of the car) the airbox. Seems like that would only provide a vacuum. Shouldn't the FPR be receiving boost as well to increase fuel pressure with boost?

Thanks,
Matt