1997 850 PVC Hose

[davolvo]

Hi everyone. I just found out today that my PVC hose has a hole in it. I asked if there was a quick fix because I have to take a 2 hour trip. The mechanic told me that the best fix is to replace it. I asked him if I could seal the hole with tape. He said I could try it. Well, I did and now it is coughing terribly, I was told if I let it cool down over night and then try to start it again, it should recognize the seal. Do you think it hurt when I placed the tape over the hole? Don't laugh when I tell you it was Gorilla tape.

[erikv11]

Which hose is it, can you post a pic? Putting tape over the hole should be OK, shouldn't hurt anything.

Or, is it one of the numbered hoses here: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=65002

[davolvo]

I will see if I can take a picture, it is really dark where it is at, it is behind the timing belt.

[Sommerfeldt]

I don't think there are any PCV hoses that can be said to be behind the timing belt... Unless you're talking under the manifold...?

Take a picture of your engine, and put an arrow on it. I'm thinking we'll know which hose it is just from that.

- S

[erikv11]

I will see if I can take a picture, it is really dark where it is at, it is behind the timing belt.

This sounds like the nipple on the end of the intake manifold. Does it attach to the same location as this hose labeled number 3?

[davolvo]

Yes it does. Funny thing. A week ago it sounded like it ran out of gas and would not start for anything. I had it towed. The garage said the next morning they started it, pulled it into the garage, tested anything to do with the fuel system and found nothing. They thought I may have gotten some bad gas. This garage is the sole garage for my car repairs; they have always done me good. I drove it for three days and it started getting weird on me almost as though it was not getting gas; then it would lurch forward as though it suddenly got gas. I drove it to the garage and he said to pop the hood (the car was running) that is when he spotted the hole in the hose. I got it home and now it sits. I taped the hole, nothing, I took the tape off, nothing. It almost sounds like it wants to go and then quits. It starts but acts like it is not getting any gas. Could the fuel pump be going? Or can a hole in a hose make that much of a difference? The mechanic actually told me it could be a number of things but to start with replacing the hose. Is it easy to replace? Maybe I can do it myself and save money on a tow? This really hurts.

[abscate]

The days when mechanics (Us Or the pros) listen to cars and make a meaningful diagnosis are ended, as are also the days of popping the hood and figuring it out in a few minutes. I doubt you got bad gas, that's very rare and not a meaningful diagnosis. A vacuum leak can mess up the fuel pressure regulator, which is vacuum controlled.

Most people bring in cars with multiple problems. I just checked my spark plugs at 30,000 miles and the have a gap of 0.045 inches...almost twice spec. Car runs fine but a weak coil, perhaps a vacuum leak and I will be having all kinds of problems.

You have to diagnose a no-start when it happens and figure out what you are missing:

Spark
Fuel
Timing
Compression

[erikv11]

abscate is right (of course!).

That #3 hose is a very common problem and must be fixed, the easiest thing is to just put a new one in it's place. You don;t have to remove the old one, just unhook it. You can fix it by buying generic, 3/16" black rubber vacuum line, and run it from the nipple in the above picture, over to it's other home attachment point near the throttle body. But be warned it is not a trivial hose to attach, at either end. Study the notes and pictures here for more directions: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=65002