Volvo 340 - Acceleration problems

Discussion in 'Volvo 340' started by Mike_V, Dec 17, 2003.

  1. Mike_V

    Mike_V Guest

    Hi,

    I have a volvo 340 1.4 litre engine with electornic ignition and experiencing irregular acceleration problems. When accelerating in any gear, the engine will not rev smoothly as I accelerate. It appears as the engine is mis-firing or short on petrol. With the choke out a little way, it helps with acceleration and the engine runs a little better, but not yet 100%. If I stop the engine, wait a few minutes and start the engine again, the car accelerates smoothly and I have full power again. The next time I start the engine acceleration would be problematic again. The problem began several weeks after I replaced the spark plugs, leads, petrol filter and air filter. The carboretor has been cleaned, but that did not help. I am not sure if it is an electronic issue or air finding its way into the system some where.

    Any thoughts?
     
    Mike_V, Dec 17, 2003
    #1
  2. Mike_V

    Tony Stanley Guest

    experiencing irregular acceleration problems. When accelerating in any
    gear, the engine will not rev smoothly as I accelerate. It appears as the
    engine is mis-firing or short on petrol. With the choke out a little way,
    it helps with acceleration and the engine runs a little better, but not yet
    100%. If I stop the engine, wait a few minutes and start the engine again,
    the car accelerates smoothly and I have full power again. The next time I
    start the engine acceleration would be problematic again. The problem began
    several weeks after I replaced the spark plugs, leads, petrol filter and air
    filter. The carboretor has been cleaned, but that did not help. I am not
    sure if it is an electronic issue or air finding its way into the system
    some where.

    Ignition problems are often mistaken as short on fuel, it could be one of
    the items you have replaced with a faulty unit. It is always important to
    use good quality ignition components as these are highly stressed
    electrically.

    Insulation break down - Causes hesitation/misfire on acceleration. The weak
    spark that remains after some of the energy has leaked to ground somewhere
    other than the plug, is not strong enough to ignite a large volume of
    petrol, but seems ok at tick over.

    Check the engine at night with your eye accustomed to the dark and look for
    glowing or arcing round the the high voltage components. Also try putting
    the old parts back in to see if is a problem with the new parts or perhaps
    the way you have assembled them. (eg coil cable routing)
     
    Tony Stanley, Dec 28, 2003
    #2
  3. Mike_V

    Guest Guest

    I'd be putting alot of (monopoly) money on crap in the carb thats being
    sucked into a passageway or jet during running and partially starving the
    engine of fuel. When you switch off the debris floats away until next time
    when its sucked into position.

    Tim..
     
    Guest, Dec 28, 2003
    #3
  4. Mike_V

    Mike_V Guest

    Tony,

    Thanks for the advice. Last night I checked the engine and found that sparks were leaking from what appeared to be the spark plugs of the first 2 cylinders closest to the radiator. I replaced both spark plugs and checked again. I did not see the blue sparks this time. I will test drive it today and hopefully the problem has been resolved.

    Thanks once again.
    Mike.
     
    Mike_V, Dec 30, 2003
    #4
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