1985 Volvo 240 - Austin (know a mechanic?)

[Xian]

I have a 1985 Volvo 240, and it won't start. It might have been run out
of oil, or it may be another problem completely. I've checked the plugs,
and they are fine. It tries to turn over, and every now and then it
does, but it's a weak rumbling that quickly dies.

I'm almost positive it's going to need looked at, but I don't know of a
reliable Volvo mechanic in Austin. Does anyone have any recommendations?

/Xian/

 

[Bruce Pick]

If it tries to turnover and only does rarely, then I'd look for a weak
battery (try jump-starting if you didn't tried that already), or a weak
starter motor (which can also sometimes be helped by jump-starting).

A shop will have to tell you if it's the battery or starter motor, but
that's an easy decision if you have a bit of test equipment.

Hopefully you don't have major engine mechanical problems.

Sorry I don't know the Austin mechanics - maybe someone does.

Bruce

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[Xian]

My terminology was incorrect: It turns over fine, and attempts to start,
and sometimes will start but just rumbles a little and then dies.

If it tries to turnover and only does rarely, then I'd look for a weak
battery (try jump-starting if you didn't tried that already), or a weak
starter motor (which can also sometimes be helped by jump-starting).

A shop will have to tell you if it's the battery or starter motor, but
that's an easy decision if you have a bit of test equipment.

Hopefully you don't have major engine mechanical problems.

Sorry I don't know the Austin mechanics - maybe someone does.

Bruce

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I have a 1985 Volvo 240, and it won't start. It might have been run
out of oil, or it may be another problem completely. I've checked the
plugs, and they are fine. It tries to turn over, and every now and
then it does, but it's a weak rumbling that quickly dies.

I'm almost positive it's going to need looked at, but I don't know of
a reliable Volvo mechanic in Austin. Does anyone have any
recommendations?

/Xian/

 

[Bruce Pick]

Xian,

Considering your latest posting, you probably do need a good mechanic.

Just to eliminate the easiest thing to check, you can test or replace
the 30 Amp. ignition system fuse located in the engine compartment.
From the battery's + terminal, follow the thinner red wire back along
the fender wall till it comes back up, to a small whitish fuse holder.
It is on the fender wall, about even with a point just in front of the
ign. coil. If the fuse is bad, or has dirty contacts, the engine won't
run. I've had them fail twice in about 400,000 mi. of Volvo 240 driving
in two cars. Both times fixed just by wiggling it in the holder. One
time I replaced an age-ruined holder, though it still worked OK.

From the symptoms you gve, it seems more likely that one of the two
fuel pumps has failed or partially failed (giving weak pressure). One
pump is in the tank, the other just outside the tank. It's also
possible that a relay operating a pump has failed, or - as happened in
my '86 240 - the the electrical terminals for the in-tank pump simply
rusted away. The pump mount with terminals is on the top of the tank,
visible via the car's cargo area. Repair of a pump or rusted mount is
not a job for beginners.

I would think any good mechanic should be able to test for fuel pressure
- as long as they don't hate foreign cars, which could be the case in
Texas (sorry if that's not politically correct). If you have an in-tank
pump problem, you probably should have a mechanic who knows Volvos, but
if it's a relay or an outside pump, I'd think that a good general auto
mechanic would do the job OK.

Bruce
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[John Horner]

I'm almost positive it's going to need looked at, but I don't know of a
reliable Volvo mechanic in Austin. Does anyone have any recommendations?

When we lived in Austin the dealer, Roger Beasley, always did right by us on
both purchases and repairs. That was 8 years ago though, so I do not know
the current situation.

John