91 240 Loss of Power; No Start

gspences · Post by **gspences** » 23 Mar 2020, 17:29

My '91 240 has been running like a top; then a couple days ago I was climbing a minor hill and had to shift down to 3rd to get to the top (usually climb it in 5th). I limped another 5 miles into town with significant power loss. Stopped at a gas station to check under the hood but couldn't start it. Would NOT fire, period.

I had to get it towed to a shop (not a Volvo guru but an excellent mechanic). It would be a lengthy post to state everything that's been tested but I'll hit the obvious ones: fuel pumps are sat; AMM sat; fuel and spark is getting to the plugs; compression is sat. Timing was 1-degree off, which shouldn't be enough to cause catastrophic loss of power.

There's a lot of great info here on how to address a no-start ... but can anyone help me narrow it down based on the fact that it was a catastrophic, sudden loss of power while it was running? I.e. Running great one minute, then laboring up a hill with no acceleration, then stopped without a single hit when starting.

Hope I've provided enough info ... thanks folks.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 23 Mar 2020, 17:42

gspences wrote: ↑23 Mar 2020, 17:29 but can anyone help me narrow it down based on the fact that it was a catastrophic, sudden loss of power while it was running?

If it is turbo charged check the Charged Air pipe. It sure sounds like a charged air pipe blowing off or blowing a hole. Don't forget to look for leaks hiding in the folds of a bellow.

gspences · Post by **gspences** » 23 Mar 2020, 18:01

Sorry I didn't mention ... not a turbo model. But thanks for the quick reply.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 23 Mar 2020, 18:39

I agree with RickHaleParker - check for air leak after air flow meter. Everything you have checked leaves only bad air/fuel ratio. Remove the plastic air tube and check carefully for a hole.
volvolugnut

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 23 Mar 2020, 18:59

volvolugnut wrote: ↑23 Mar 2020, 18:39 I agree with RickHaleParker - check for air leak after air flow meter. Everything you have checked leaves only bad air/fuel ratio. Remove the plastic air tube and check carefully for a hole.

Had a neighbor with a BMW. He spent a ton trying different things. I took the air intake pipe off, split hidden in the folds of the bellow. Cleaned and JB PlasticWeld the split. Fired right up.

Dirty air filter could be the problem. When he was pulling the hill he may of suck in a load of dirt that has been hiding the air intake hose.

This car is 29 years old.I would not surprise me if it needs new Fuel injectors and O2 sensors. Both of which can degrade the performance without throwing any codes.

My 2.9 had no power when I first got it. New plugs did not make any difference. Changed PCV and Fuel injectors and now it has plenty of power.

gspences · Post by **gspences** » 23 Mar 2020, 20:37

Excellent - thanks for the advice guys. Car is still sitting at the shop ... I'll run into town tomorrow and check it out. Hopefully will be able to update tomorrow.

I've owned the car since 91 so didn't inherit any bad maintenance. Appreciate all the possibilities but I can rule out the air filter. Haven't changed out the injectors but the O2 sensor is good and PCV is serviced. I'm hoping I find the gremlin in the air intake.

gspences · Post by **gspences** » 25 Mar 2020, 14:41

Review: '91 non-turbo 240 was running smoothly then started lost power; couldn't climb a hill but was able to sputter into a gas station ... and then no-start. Towed it to buddy's garage.

Update: My mechanic and I have ruled out a lot of things ... he needed to get back to a project that pays (late model Beemer) so we're going to put our heads together again later this week. Here's the long/short of it - the engine is essentially flooding ... too much gas being injected.

Things that tested sat and have found NOT to be the problem: AMM, air intake & plastic piping; fuel pumps/fuel injectors; plugs; O2 sensor & PCV, catalytic converter; timing; distributor & rotor. I'm thinking there's a sensor or something to do with that 29 yo computer but if there are other ideas I'd love to hear them. Thanks.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:57

gspences wrote: ↑25 Mar 2020, 14:41the engine is essentially flooding

FPR shot...injectors ground wire to ECU grounded

straubman · Post by **straubman** » 29 Mar 2020, 17:01

how do you kow the fpr is shot? trying to find out how to test it..

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 Mar 2020, 17:23

Loosen the down pipe from exhaust manifold to rule out catalyst plugged. There also was some double-walled pipe used in 80s and 90s that will rust internally and the inner layer thins and can be crinkled closed by the outer layer.